other policeman added, staring at his colleagues who were both bewildered.
“I’ll meet you back at the station,” the Inspector muttered in suspicion after noticing the orphans peering through the window at him. Taking the piece of paper from his chest pocket, the Inspector hurriedly unfolded the map and took another glance at it.
“Inspector?” the second bobby asked, waiting on an explanation for the Inspector’s delay.
“I need to speak with this Jennings character one more time. I’ll send for someone to collect me,” the Inspector replied with a reassuring nod. “Go on.”
“Very well, Sir,” said both policemen together.
Once the police wagon left Gatesville’s premises, heavy wind picked up around the grounds. The Inspector was only a step away from entering the building when an enormous blast of wind picked him off his feet and flung him into the darkness of the playground. Wet autumn leaves violently swirled around the man, blowing his hat off as they encircled him.
“Get off me. What is this?” the Inspector yelled punching at the thick wall of leaves that entrapped him.
Lightning struck through the clouds seconds before it stood in front of him. The darkness shielded the monstrosity from his sight. Its terrible presence was felt yards away the instant it parted the swirling leaves. Its rancid stench swept across the entire playground, reaching the windows of the east block and causing every boy to cough and splutter and cover their noses.
Dazzling light shone out through the leaves and briefly lit up the playground long enough for everyone watching to see the nine-foot creature’s scary form. The Inspector screamed for help prior to his whole body evaporating into a vanishing light that left behind his hat. The children gasped in horror as they observed the giant monster morph into a human man to mimic the Inspector. Changing from the feet up, the creature’s frame magically imploded. Its heavy chained armor rapidly transformed into the form and frame of the Inspector’s dark cotton suit and pocket watch. Its steel armored feet followed next, converting into shiny black shoes. The final stage was the beast’s face. It stepped out of the playground and into the lit entrance of Gatesville, still transforming into the Inspector’s facial features until its conversion was complete a few seconds later.
A calm breeze carried the Inspector’s hat across the playground, rolling to the feet of his imitator.
Now mimicking his victim, the monstrous imposter knelt down gently to pick up the black hat before giving a bow to his audience of children who stood aghast behind their bedroom windows. After shutting their curtains tight, every boy ran from their windows in fright. They weren’t to get a wink of sleep after they heard the imposter enter the building with thunderous steps that echoed through the corridors, all the way to the principal’s office.
“Did you forget something?” Mr. Jennings grumbled, briefly glancing up from his desk with a raised eyebrow as he put down his calligraphy pen and dramatically crumpled up a letter he had been writing.
“I think I am mistaken, Mr. Jennings. This map seems quite genuine. If we hurry, it should lead us straight to them,” the false Inspector said sharply.
“My, my. You’ve changed your tune,” Mr. Jennings sniggered, fixing his glasses on his beaky nose. “Why, a second ago, you couldn’t have cared less.”
“Like I said, I was mistaken.” The false Inspector’s eyes shot back a cold, emotionless gaze that unnerved and shook the old principal out of his comfort zone.
“No harm done. I-I’ll arrange a meeting with you to discuss further action. I don’t want my runaways getting too comfortable. The sooner the better,” Mr. Jennings spluttered.
“I was thinking sooner,” the dark-eyed Inspector hissed, approaching Mr. Jennings’s desk.
“Blimey, you are keen,” Mr. Jennings tittered. “Alright, I’ll be at the station
“I’ll meet you back at the station,” the Inspector muttered in suspicion after noticing the orphans peering through the window at him. Taking the piece of paper from his chest pocket, the Inspector hurriedly unfolded the map and took another glance at it.
“Inspector?” the second bobby asked, waiting on an explanation for the Inspector’s delay.
“I need to speak with this Jennings character one more time. I’ll send for someone to collect me,” the Inspector replied with a reassuring nod. “Go on.”
“Very well, Sir,” said both policemen together.
Once the police wagon left Gatesville’s premises, heavy wind picked up around the grounds. The Inspector was only a step away from entering the building when an enormous blast of wind picked him off his feet and flung him into the darkness of the playground. Wet autumn leaves violently swirled around the man, blowing his hat off as they encircled him.
“Get off me. What is this?” the Inspector yelled punching at the thick wall of leaves that entrapped him.
Lightning struck through the clouds seconds before it stood in front of him. The darkness shielded the monstrosity from his sight. Its terrible presence was felt yards away the instant it parted the swirling leaves. Its rancid stench swept across the entire playground, reaching the windows of the east block and causing every boy to cough and splutter and cover their noses.
Dazzling light shone out through the leaves and briefly lit up the playground long enough for everyone watching to see the nine-foot creature’s scary form. The Inspector screamed for help prior to his whole body evaporating into a vanishing light that left behind his hat. The children gasped in horror as they observed the giant monster morph into a human man to mimic the Inspector. Changing from the feet up, the creature’s frame magically imploded. Its heavy chained armor rapidly transformed into the form and frame of the Inspector’s dark cotton suit and pocket watch. Its steel armored feet followed next, converting into shiny black shoes. The final stage was the beast’s face. It stepped out of the playground and into the lit entrance of Gatesville, still transforming into the Inspector’s facial features until its conversion was complete a few seconds later.
A calm breeze carried the Inspector’s hat across the playground, rolling to the feet of his imitator.
Now mimicking his victim, the monstrous imposter knelt down gently to pick up the black hat before giving a bow to his audience of children who stood aghast behind their bedroom windows. After shutting their curtains tight, every boy ran from their windows in fright. They weren’t to get a wink of sleep after they heard the imposter enter the building with thunderous steps that echoed through the corridors, all the way to the principal’s office.
“Did you forget something?” Mr. Jennings grumbled, briefly glancing up from his desk with a raised eyebrow as he put down his calligraphy pen and dramatically crumpled up a letter he had been writing.
“I think I am mistaken, Mr. Jennings. This map seems quite genuine. If we hurry, it should lead us straight to them,” the false Inspector said sharply.
“My, my. You’ve changed your tune,” Mr. Jennings sniggered, fixing his glasses on his beaky nose. “Why, a second ago, you couldn’t have cared less.”
“Like I said, I was mistaken.” The false Inspector’s eyes shot back a cold, emotionless gaze that unnerved and shook the old principal out of his comfort zone.
“No harm done. I-I’ll arrange a meeting with you to discuss further action. I don’t want my runaways getting too comfortable. The sooner the better,” Mr. Jennings spluttered.
“I was thinking sooner,” the dark-eyed Inspector hissed, approaching Mr. Jennings’s desk.
“Blimey, you are keen,” Mr. Jennings tittered. “Alright, I’ll be at the station
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