Page 20 of Final Escape
Marie shrugged and followed her inside. “What’s up?”
“Hold on.” Carrie walked the perimeter of the room, scanning the counters, bookshelves and desktops, her heart lifting with relief.All clear.
But at her desk, she sighed and reached for an unfamiliar sheet of paper that had apparently been left facedown on one corner while her back was turned. “Another. I’d hoped there wouldn’t be.”
“Another what?” Marie joined her, craning her neck to see the paper Carrie held in her hands.
“I got distracted by Isabella’s question and I didn’t see who left this, but this makes three of these pictures so far. Two of them today. I have yet to figure out who the artist is.”
Marie gave her a curious look. “Itstilllooks like the usual boy stuff, to me. Weapons. Mayhem. Explosions.”
“Right. But look closer at the nightmarish quality. Thesuffering.Just like the first one I showed you.”
Carrie handed her the picture and leaned over to retrieve a manila folder from her top left desk drawer. She opened it and spread the other two drawings out on her desk. “The child still leaves them secretly, so I won’t know who it is.”
“Strange gifts,” Marie admitted.
“They aren’t gifts. Not really. I’m afraid they’re a message—like a call for help, or something.”
Marie rolled her eyes. “And I think you might be the one with the overactive imagination. Believe me—I see this kind of stuff doodled on assignments all the time.”
“I have, too. But look at all these slashing lines and the detail. And why are they being left anonymously for a teacher? I’m worried that they’re either from a child who’s living in a violent situation, or even a child filled with a lot of rage.”
Marie pursed her lips. “I don’t know if I’d gothatfar.”
“Why would a child spend so much time on them and then leave them for me to find if it wasn’t some sort of message? I know young boys like to draw stuff like this. But not to this extent.”
“Maybe this kid is just proud of his drawings and wants recognition.”
“If that was the case, he’d sign them.”
“Unless he’s a little shy. Maybe he’s waiting to see a positive reaction before coming forward.”
Carrie suppressed a shudder. “I don’t think that’s it.”
“I’d forget about it, if I were you.” Marie patted Carrie’s hand. “Toss them all and forget about it.”
“Maybe Principal Grover—”
“Just drop it. I know the kids in your class. Some come from broken homes. A few have had some troubles, and a few tend to cause it. But there’s nothing to get all ruffled over and I’m sure Ed would say the same thing.” Marie’s voice lowered. “And honestly, he gets impatient with inexperienced teachers because he’d rather not be bothered with all of this inconsequential stuff.”
Inconsequential?Carrie bit back a sharp reply. “I think I need to start going through some of their school files, and I wonder if you can give me some ideas on where to start. Noah seems like my best bet. What do you think?”
“Just because he lost his mom? No...he was a very quiet child before her death, and he’s got a very protective dad and an aunt who moved into the family home to give him more stability.” She fiddled with the ring of keys in her hand. “They’ve had him in counseling ever since, or so I’ve heard...so he should have a lot of support. Anyway, I can’t see a shy boy like him getting into all of this...this artistic carnage.”
“The Nelson twins, then? And Ashley has a surly attitude like no other. Maybe I’m wrong, but the others just don’t seem like possibilities.”
Marie’s mouth flattened. “Look, hon. I’m trying to tell you something here. This isn’t a big deal. And we’re teaching ‘summer enrichment,’ not part of the formal school calendar. Far as I’m concerned, we’re providing free child care and entertainment for the summer.”
“But—”
“Normal kid stuff. Nothing more.” Marie waggled her fingertips as she headed for the door. “Just a word to the wise, as they say—especially since you’re new on board. When it comes time for contract renewals every spring, well...squeaky wheels sometimes end up rolling right out of town.”
“Squeaky wheels. Was that why there was an opening for a teacher here? Someone else cared enough to buck the system in some way and found herself packing?”
Marie turned back at the doorway and glared at her. “Whoa. You aren’t the only one who cares about these kids, and you’re taking this way too far.”
“I...I’m sorry. Of course you care. I didn’t mean to slam everyone here.” Carrie bit her lower lip. “But I just have to wonder if this is one way that school violence takes place—when no one bothers to watch out for the troubled kids who need help?”
