Classroom X - VI. Field Trip

Where are we going?

This is a good question.

Where are we going?

To the sunset, yes. The teacher nods.

What’s there?

There will be great amounts of food and drink and fun times. Lots and lots and lOts and loTs and Lots AND lots of fun timez.

How do you know?

Because I know things. The teacher says this very sternly. I know things that you don’t. So be quiet now.

We are lost, and you’re too afraid to admit it.

bLINdnEs$

Are we there yet?

Are we there yet?

Deaf(th)ness

The kids hop off the bus with jUbilant excitement and run down the hill, tumbling and laaughhing all the way down. The teacher is unable to rein them in, and soon almost all the kids are at the bottom of the hill, looking up and ScrEAming!! in joy.

WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEeeEEEeEeEEEEEeeEEeEEeeEeEEeEEEEee!!¡¡!¡!!¡¡¡¡!!¡!¡!

It is late in the afternoon, and the light of day is fading. The teacher tries to corral the students together for dinner, but the kids are rowdy and inattentive.

Hey!!

I— You— See that— Look over ther— Wowwwwwww—

Stoooapppp— Boo!— I want to— You sUCK—

    Ergo—   Sometimes— E r sum dela— You’re crazy—

Sunset is appproaching now…

Hurry up kids! Hurrry up! Hurry!

But some of the kids are too scattered around to all be located. The teacher quickly calls roll, and asks one of the parent chaperones to find the remaining kids. The mother stands there, unmoving.

What are you doing!? Go find the kids.

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WHAAAT!?!?!?

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Ok, ok, ok, okay, OK…

The chaperone flails her arms around, wild like fucking spaghetti arms.

STOPSTOPSTOPSTOPSTOPSTOPSTOPSTOPSTOPSTOPTSOPTSOPTS0PTSOTSTOPSPTSOTSOPTSTOSTSOTST0PSTPSOTSOTSSTOPST0PSTOSTOPSTOSTOPSTOSTOPTSOTPSTOPSTSOTSTOPSTOPSTPOSTSTOSTPSTSTOPSTSPTO PLEASE NO!

The sun has gone completely down now; it’s dark outside. The wind hoowwwls. Sp00ky. The teacher is left searching for three more kids that have not yet returned. The trees are dense and thick, making it hard for the teacher to nviagtae. Soon she can neither see nor hear anything. All fading to darkness and the touch of tree trunks and cold breeze.

After stumbling for some time, the teacher reaches an open field, full of vibrant lilies. The tree kids are sitting out there, near the middle, holding hands in a circle, singing a song.

Ashes, ashes,

they all fall down!

The sky begins sprinkling glittery dust, falling gently and slowly. The teacher rushes forward to the kids and grabs them by their arms; they have bloodshot eyes and purple lips and manic smiles.

hehehehehehehehehehehe…hehe…he…heh…ha…   

Come now! the teacher says. Everyone else is waiting. Please.

The moon is up and bright, making the dust sparkle with a brilliant silver tint.

We’re not coming back. :)