Page 22 of S.O.S. Perk

He assumed that the people responsible for the money-grabs and the disappearance of Kaelyn would be the asshole faction, but one could never be too sure. It might be the nerds who were into crypto, flexing their mental muscles against the masses who denigrated them; stealing enough money to pad their nests and become high-rolling CEOs later in life.

Nothing surprised Perk these days.

He grabbed his backpack as he left the car of the still non-communicative Agent Smalley, pulled his hoodie up to hide his head, and joined other people arriving at school. Slumping his shoulders to hopefully appear smaller, he shuffled into the line of kids headed in through the front doors. He’d memorized the layout of the school, and knew exactly where he should be going to meet with Melissa Phillipoff, or Ms. P, as the kids called her. It was going to be strange, conversing with the woman who was Sloane’s best friend; the one who had been going to vet him for Sloane, and who, for now, would now be someone he couldn’t even remotely consider a peer.

He hoped he could pull off his new role without the woman becoming suspicious.

But, first things first. He had to get by security.

“ID please.” The security cop sitting behind a plastic folding table held out his hand and wiggled his fingers.

Just as Perk figured, the officer who’d watched him walk up had tagged him as an unknown entity and required identification that Perk did not yet possess.

“I’m new,” Perk mumbled. “I’m supposed to see a Ms. P.”

The man unclipped a walkie-talkie from his belt and notified someone. “Darlene, we have a new student at the door. His name is…” The officer raised a brow at him.

“Thomas. Thomas Perdudan.”

It was all Perk could do not to snort. The name the Bureau had blessed him with was funny as hell.

The guard repeated the name, scowling when the answer came back loud and clear that the school wasn’t expecting any Thomas Perdudan.

“Jones. Can you cover my station?” the cop called sideways to a cohort who was standing against a wall with his arms crossed over his chest. “I’m taking this kid down to the office.” He switched his long-suffering gaze to Perk and arose. “Come with me.”

Perk gave what he hoped was an appropriately long sigh.

As he followed, several different factions of youngsters eyeballed him curiously. He supposed that as entrances went, this wasn’t a bad one. There’d be talk about him being escorted onto the premises, which would raise his cred and hopefully serve the bad-boy persona he’d soon adopt.

Scuffling along after the officer, Perk tried to appear as blasé about the whole being shepherded thing as possible; making it seem like he had everything in hand and wasn’t the least bit intimidated by his circumstances.

He’d never been that kind of kid at school; completely confident and in charge. Rocking a face that always looked years younger than everyone else’s had left him attempting, most times, to simply blend in. But he’d had one advantage back then, which he still retained. His size. Because he’d been big, he’dplayed football, and that had given himsomestreet cred back in the day. He wondered if his bulk would gain him anything this time around, and what more he’d have to do to earn a trusted place amongst this student body. Sports were out this time. With his superior age and strength, he’d likely kill anybody he engaged with on the field, so he had to come up with another way in.

They entered the front office, with Perk quietly trailing the officer.

“Madge, this kid says he’s new today, but Darlene can’t find anything on him. Can you see what you can do?” The cop hitched a thumb over his shoulder at Perk.

“I’ll call Melissa. She’ll sort things out. Thanks.”

The officer gave Perk one warning glare, as if to say “don’t give the ladies a hard time or I’ll be back”, before striding from the office.

Perk, of course, was going to beveryagreeable with the administration for now. Just for a few days until he was really settled. Then he’d be on the staff’s radar, for sure. He wouldn’t, however, back off from making waves with his current peers. He needed to immediately probe into the disappearance of Kaelyn Jefferson who still hadn’t shown up, which meant he’d adopt a high profile while keeping his ears open for any mention of her name while trying to make inroads into the various student factions.

For now, Perk stood slumping in what he hoped was a bored teenager way while Madge called Ms. P.

“Yeah, Melissa. Thomas Perdudan. Darlene looked, but couldn’t find anything on him. I’m not sure why, but…” There were a few seconds of silence. “Oh. Okay.”

Whatever Ms. P replied, it must have been satisfactory, because Madge looked a little nicer when she next addressed him. “Thomas,” she called over from behind the large counter.“Take a chair. Our admin will be with you in a couple minutes to go over your paperwork and issue you an ID.”

Perk grunted. Not politely answering went against his grain, but he had to keep reminding himself that the cool kids never spoke to an adult directly unless they were asked a specific question.

While he sat, he watched the student body walk by outside the large office windows. It had been more than ten years since Perk had graduated from high school, but it might just as well have been yesterday. These kids looked exactly—with the exception of a few fashion choices—like those in the hallowed halls he’d long ago left behind. Snickering, posturing, vying for elbow room, and telling secrets.

“Mr. Perdudan?” a female voice called from behind the massive counter as she buzzed a gate open and briskly let herself through.

Perk almost forgot to answer, looking up and seeing the dervish who was Sloane’s bestie. He could totally see Vessers hanging out with this no-nonsense woman.

He snapped out of his trance quickly, though, because the name she shouted was such a giggle, it triggered him into remembering it was supposed to be his.

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