Read Online Locked In by Z. Fraillon - Free Book Online Page A

of them.
    â€˜NOW!’ she ordered and sprinted towards the fence.
    Jasper’s feet pounded through the snow. They reached the fence and dropped into the snow, a second before the searchlights swept behind them.
    â€˜The gate is down there,’ Jasper pointed.
    A black-clad figure marched along the fence line on either side of the gate.
    â€˜A thug,’ Saffy whispered. ‘I thought so. Guard duty.’ She peered into the darkness. ‘And is that a guard dog?’
    â€˜It’s a bit – small – isn’t it?’ said Jasper.
    It looked like a golden cocker spaniel was pacing up and down beside the prefect.
    â€˜Well, at least we’re prepared. Right, Felix, what’s the diversion?’ Saffy whispered.
    Felix looked guiltily between Jasper and Saffy. ‘Um, I – ah, thought you guys were just joking.’
    Jasper put out a hand to stop Saffy as she started towards Felix. ‘Although I’m interested to find out just who would win a fight between karate boy and kickboxing girl, now’s not the time,’ Jasper whispered, and pointed to the guard. ‘Before we kill each other, let’s take a closer look. We might be able to get past him – he’s not even standing near the gate. And seriously, what’s a spaniel going to do?’
    They edged closer.
    The prefect’s muscles seemed to pop out of his camouflage suit. There was no way they’d be able to get past him.
    â€˜A diversion would have been perfect right now ...’ Jasper whispered to Felix, just not loudly enough for Saffy to hear.
    A ghostly screech echoed through the night. The prefect’s radio crackled to life and the spaniel took off, barking madly. The prefect jogged further down the fence line to investigate, talking intently into his radio.
    â€˜There you go,’ Felix said cheerfully, ‘a diversion.’
    Saffy just glared at him. ‘Hurry up, before he comes back,’ she ordered Jasper, shoving him towards the gate.
    Jasper looked at the key ring. There were at least twenty keys on the thing. He shoved one unsuccessfully into the lock.
    â€˜Come on, come on!’ said Saffy. Jasper realised now why Saffy had escaped from all her other schools. Once she had her mind set, it was clear that nothing got in her way.
    â€˜Oi!’ a gruff voice yelled. Jasper turned around, the keys gripped tightly in his hand.
    Well, almost nothing .
    The prefect was back.

16
    â€˜Hey, I know you ... ’ the prefect said, looking straight at Jasper. It was Craig, the same prefect Jasper had pick-pocketed. Then he saw the keys in Jasper’s hand. He sneered, walking menacingly towards them. ‘Well, well, well. What do you three think you’re doing?’
    He’s so dumb he can’t even count, thought Jasper. We must be able to get out of this.
    â€˜So, you think you’re escaping? Ha!’ Craig shook his head. ‘Not on my watch.’ He pressed a button on his radio.
    Jasper wondered how long it would take for backup to arrive.
    Saffy whispered something to Felix as Craig reached behind his back and pulled out some kind of baton. He flicked it, and the stick flew out, becoming a fifty-centimetre metal rod. Jasper didn’t like their chances so much anymore.
    But then, he didn’t know karate or kickboxing.
    â€˜NOW!’ Saffy screamed, charging towards the prefect.
    Jasper stared in disbelief as Felix flew through the air, his foot hitting the prefect squarely on the side of his head as Saffy spun in a perfect half-circle, her foot connecting with Craig’s stomach.
    Craig doubled over and collapsed. Even though Jasper knew the prefects were seriously nasty, he couldn’t help but feel slightly sorry for Craig, who now lay unconscious in the snow.
    â€˜That’s going to hurt,’ Bertie piped up as he inspected the prefect.
    Jasper spun back around to the gate, fumbling to find the right key as Craig –