Cool School (21 page)

 don't know,' you say. ‘I just have to.'

The teacher takes down the details and, satisfied now, you go back to your class. By the end of the day you're exhausted from running backwards and forwards, reporting things. You're reported fourteen teachers for offences like not setting homework, being late for class, eating in class, parking in the visitor's space in the school car park, and letting a class out before the bell. You haven't had time to report any students, you're too busy with the teachers.

Despite being exhausted, you're dimly aware that you've become the talk of the school. Students look at you strangely and go quiet when you hurry past them. Teachers seem to avoid you. One of them runs into the teachers' bathroom as you approach, and you find another one hiding behind a tree. You report them both, of course.

After school finishes you're at your locker packing your bag when you suddenly get a weird feeling in your back. You turn around slowly.

The Principal's standing there. ‘Come with me,' she hisses through her teeth. She seems angry. You follow her slowly to her office. She slams the door shut and picks up the locket again and, once more, swings it in front of your eyes. You feel instantly sleepy and your head falls forward. You go into a strange drowsy state, where you can't move.

Through a fog you hear her voice.

‘My previous instructions are cancelled. You're an idiot. When I snap my fingers you will awake, get out of my office, and never come here again.'

There's a snapping noise, you jerk your head up, and hurry out of her office. You feel wonderfully happy and relieved. But it's quite a few weeks before the teachers start talking to you again!

John Marsden

Creep Street
You Make It Happen

If you're about to enter this book, we have a piece of advice for you! BE CAREFUL in here. Be very careful.

Making the wrong moves in CREEP STREET can get nasty!

You could find yourself up to your ankles in blood . . .

or with flesh-eating spiders crawling all over you . . .

or with a skeleton stalking you through an attic.

Is there any escape? It's up to you.