"What's going on back there?" Mr. Stone asked curiously.
Korah shook his head even though Mr. Stone couldn't see him from behind the computer. "Nothing, Sir!"
"You better not be doing anything illegal back there," Mr. Stone said. "We don't need online drug traffickers in the school."
"Online drug traffickers?" Lisa asked herself and then yelled out to Mr. Stone, "Would you prefer it if we sold our merchandise offline and among the students of Preston Prep only?"
Her reply seemed to have shocked Mr. Stone as he choked on his soda and stood up from his chair, "Are you really drug traffickers? Even you, Korah and Esther?"
Lisa was about to give another witty reply but Korah stopped her by grabbing hold of her hand. "No, Sir! She was just playing with you!"
"Oh," Mr. Stone said and sat back in his chair, "well, you should know that drugs are never the answer. It has led to the downfall of many of your age mates."
"Yes, Sir," all, except Lisa, chorused.
"Why didn't you let me speak my mind?" Lisa asked as she pulled her hand out of his grip.
"We don't need his attention right now," Korah explained. "And we only have a few minutes to complete our research. Let's just focus on our findings."
They focused their attention back on the computer screen.
EUGENE WALTER: WANTED
Wanted criminal, Eugene Walter, was born on 27th March, 1985. He has pledged guilty for theft, attempted robbery of several banks, and the crime he is most known for: fraud.
Eugene Walter is known for stealing millions of dollars through fraud. However, in 2013, Eugene Walter disappeared after being caught stealing hundreds of thousands from a bank.
He was arrested but after three months of his stay in New York Prison he was reported to have escaped.
The United States government has been unable to find him but they still strongly believe that he is alive.
If you happen to recognize the Eugene Walter anywhere, report to your closest police station. Below is a photo of Eugene Walter.
Below was a mug shot of their beloved Head Master, Evan Winter.
"Is this for real?" Andrew asked no one in particular.
"Well, that is his face in the photo, isn't it?" Lisa replied.
"Maybe it's a look alike. Like, I'm pretty sure that each person in the world has at least one doppelganger," Esther said.
"I don't know... The evidence is just too much," Korah said.
"What evidence?" Esther asked.
"The files you found I his office and this information," Korah said. "According to this article, Eugene Walter is a fraud who probably fled from the United States to avoid justice. Principal Winter's birth certificate and CV do not add up. He stole almost 900,000 Pounds from our parents just last term alone. His face is the one on that photo, and he has no social media or photo online as Evan Winter, probably to hide his identity."
After Korah stopped speaking Andrew spoke up.
"So, what do you suppose we do now?"
"Expose him," Korah replied. "That's the only logical thing to do. We can't have a fraud running the school. He is becoming rich at the expense of our parents."
"You chaps have six minutes left!" Mr. Stone yelled from his desk.
"Let's go, we'll continue this conversation outside," Andrew said and was the first one to walk out with the food tray in his hands. He stopped at Mr. Stone's desk to thank him.
"Thank you, Mr. Stone, for letting us to use the Computer Lab. We honestly need more teachers like you in this school."
"Stop trying to butter me up and get out of here," Mr. Stone replied with a scowl.
Andrew walked out, followed by Esther, Lisa and lastly, Korah. Korah walked out a while after the others because he stayed behind to shut down the computer.
"Thank you, Mr. Stone," Korah said.
"You're most welcome, Korah," Mr. Stone replied with a smile on his face. "I just hope that your new friends aren't pressuring you into doing the wrong things. I hope they're a good influence on you."
"I hope so too," Korah said. He really did not know how to respond. The Rebels were really good people, concerned for their missing friends and school mates, but at the same time they were disobeying the rules of the school, breaking into offices and stealing files. He wasn't a saint either as he had hacked into the school computers to wipe the camera footage. "They are very good people, though."
"I hope they are," Mr. Stone said. "Well, Korah, have a pleasant day."
"You too, Sir."
"Wait, that's not fair," Andrew popped his head in from the slightly ajar door. "You didn't wish me a pleasant day when I thanked you."
"Were you eavesdropping on a teacher's conversation?" Mr. Stone stood up from his seat and took off his left shoe and flung it across the room, aiming for Andrew's head.
Andrew ducked just in time and the shoe flew past him and landed on the floor behind him, in the hallway. "Ha! You missed!"
Andrew ran to pick up the shoe and, after doing so, he entered the Computer Lab and handed the shoe to Mr. Stone. "You really shouldn't throw your shoe at students. Some may view it as abuse and you may lose your job."
"Are you threatening me?" Mr. Stone asked in all seriousness after grabbing his shoe.
Andrew shook his head frantically. "No! No! I didn't say that! You know what? I'm out of here!"
Andrew ran out of the Computer Lab but Mr. Stone still kept his eyes on the door for a few seconds even after he left. He bent down to put on his shoe and then focused his attention on Korah.
"Are you sure that he doesn't do drugs?"
"About sixty-five percent sure," Korah laughed and walked out of the Computer Lab. He made his way into the halls and found Lisa and Andrew standing a few feet away from the Computer Lab, in front of the door to the Music Room.
Andrew had his hands tucked into the pockets of his trousers, while Lisa was leaning against the door of the Music Room.
Korah walked up to them, "What are you talking about? And you, Andrew, how do you go from being so serious to child and, then, to serious again? I don't think that's normal."
"It's a gift," Andrew replied with a goofy smile, while scratching the back of his head. "Now to reply to your first question, we were discussing the Principal Winter slash Eugene Walter problem. It's just so unbelievable, you know?"
"I don't think that you should be speaking here," Korah said in a whisper. "Don't you remember the school cameras?"
"I guess, but why does it matter when he'll be caught anyway? Was he expecting to keep his identity hidden forever?" Andrew asked.
"I think Korah is right," Lisa piped in, "even if we have strong evidence against Principal Winter we should still keep our identities hidden. I honestly don't ever want to be caught, not even if I'm in the right."
"I guess we should go to the gym then," Andrew sighed.
"Wait. Where's Esther?" Korah asked.
"In the kitchen. I wanted to return the tray but she said that she also had a cup to return, so she could take 'em both back," Andrew replied.
"Then, let's go. We must have about forty-five minutes left for lunch and we have a lot to discuss concerning the Principal Walter matter," Korah said.
Andrew led the way to the gym with a skip in his step.
"Why are you so jumpy and happy today?" Lisa asked.
"Because we finally got a lead," Andrew replied.
"What do you mean?" Korah asked. "Didn't you start this group to find the missing students? So far, we have no lead on who kidnapped our school mates."
"Yes but I really didn't think we'd get anywhere when we started this group, especially not this quickly. Principal Winter's case is not what we expected to find but at least we're getting somewhere. Us risking our authority and scholarships is not in vain," Andrew replied as he opened the door to the gymnasium and stepped in.
"Don't count your chickens before they hatch," Lisa said. "As they say: hope for the best but prepare for the worst."
The three took their seats on the bleachers and began discussing their plans. Even though Esther was not there they came to the conclusion that Lisa would explain everything to her during prep time.
"So, what is your plan?"Andrew asked Korah.
"To expose Principal Winter publicly," Korah replied with a smirk.
"What?" Andrew asked. Not completely understanding Korah's plan. How exactly were they going to expose their fraud of a principal without electronics? "How are we supposed to reach the outside world without our electronics?"
"What a daft question to ask," Korah replied with a poker face. "But of course, that is a question that I would expect from slow minded people like you?"
"Did he just call me slow minded?" Andrew asked Lisa.
"I think he just did," Lisa replied, patting Andrew on the back.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Andrew asked, anger and confusion written all over his face.
"It meant exactly what I said. You are slow minded. You don't think things through and you behave like a child. Act mature for once in your life!" Korah yelled.
"Excuse me for trying to live my life the way I want, Korah," Andrew said and then let out a sarcastic laugh.
"You're excused," Korah replied, picking at the invisible dirt in his nails.
"Do you think you're funny?" Andrew asked, standing up from his seat.
"No!" Korah replied, also standing up. "But I do feel like I'm being used."
"Huh?" Lisa asked in confusion. "What do you mean 'used'?"
"Don't act as though that not what you're doing," Korah answered her. "You two never once came up to talk to me. Not even once! Then, all of a sudden, you need help and I'm the first one you run to because you need help erasing computer footage. You also used me because of the good relationship I have with Mr. Stone and the other teachers."
"Who is feeding you these lies?" Lisa asked. "And why are you still in this group if you think you're just being used."
"It doesn't matter," Korah replied after a short moment. "I am only in this group because Esther is my only true friend."
"I can't listen to this nonsense anymore," Andrew said and stormed out of the gym.
"I can't believe you, Korah. Just so you know, outside the Computer Lab we were talking about how nice it was to be your friend," Lisa said. "Yeah, sure, you have helped us, but that is what friends do. When Esther started this group she said that there was not going to be any fourth party. You're the only person we told. That should speak volumes to you."
"But you only told me because you three need my help!"
"Yes, that's true," Lisa agreed. "I'll admit that we only used you for your help at first. It's only been three days since we actually started speaking to you and I'll admit it: it's actually been a pleasure knowing you. You're intelligent, handsome, and very caring towards the ones you love. I know it may be hard for you to believe this considering that Esther has been your only since you started learning at this school, but trust me were all friends here, and even if we weren't I don't think you should have treated Andrew that way. You acted kinda like a bully."
Lisa tapped him on the shoulder and ran out of the gymnasium in search of Andrew. Korah watched Lisa leave the gymnasium and sat down after she had gone. He buried his face in his palms and sighed heavily. Had all that Jackson told him been a lie?
---
Esther walked out of the kitchen with her head faced down and coincidentally bumped into someone. She really hoped it was not that fool, Dexter. She lifted up her head only to see an enraged Andrew, his face was red and he was breathing heavily.
"Andrew, where are you? I thought we were having a group meeting."
"Why don't you go ask your buddy Korah?" he replied with a scoff. "Apparently, you're his only friend."
With that said, Andrew left Esther standing in confusion, ran past her, up the stairs, into his dorm room.
Esther watched him run up the up the stairs, then turned around and asked herself, "What was that about? Maybe I'll ask Lisa."
As though on cue, Lisa ran towards Esther and held her on the shoulders.
She shook Esther slightly as she asked, "Have you seen Andrew anywhere?"
"Chill, lady," Esther said and shrugged Lisa's hands off her shoulders, "he ran up to his dorm room a little while ago. Now can anyone tell me what's going on?"
Lisa ignored Esther and ran up the stairs to Andrew's room, hoping to find him.
"Hey! Girls aren't allowed in the boys' dormitories!" Esther shouted as Lisa disappeared out of her sight. She shook her head and proceeded to the gymnasium.
She found Korah seated on the bleachers with his face buried in his palms. She walked towards him, sat beside him and placed her hand on his shoulder.
"Are you alright?" She asked. "What happened between you and Andrew? I was only gone for, like, a few seconds. Does this mean you guys can't even function properly without me?"
Andrew lifted his head up and placed his palms on his knees, "I think I messed up, like really bad."
"What did you do?"
"I don't want to talk about it."
"Yesterday you forced me to be open up about my problems, today you're going to have to do the same thing. Speak up, Korah."
Korah sighed heavily, "I kind of insulted Andrew and questioned my relationship with he and Lisa. I told them that I thought I was just being used. They're very upset with me."
"Well, why would you do that? Esther asked and slapped Korah at the back of his head. "Lisa and Andrew are very nice people."
"You don't know that. They could be angels in front of you but demons behind you."
Esther sighed, "I understand you, Korah. Most of the students here are backstabbers I have been gossiped about by people whom I thought I was friends with, but I don't think Andrew and Lisa are like that."
"This sounds gold coming from you. You've had trust issues since we met," Korah said. "What makes you think that we can trust them? We know nothing about them and vice versa. For all we know, they might be the perpetrators."
Esther sat silently, deep in thought. Korah was right. She knew nothing about them, but she felt that the little she knew about them was enough to classify them as good people.
"I may not have started speaking to them until last week, but I've known them for about four months," Esther said. "Don't you remember that I have meetings with them every week? I had not spoken to any of them till recently, but from their attitudes during meetings, I could tell that they were good people and concerned for others."
Korah stood up, "So, what do you suppose I do?"
"I don't know who sowed these thoughts in your head but I'm sure you have your reasons for your actions. However, we are a team and what we are doing is important. We've already gone far too deep to get out of this and we have to finish what we started," Esther replied. "I suggest that you make things right with Andrew and Lisa. We are too far gone in this Preston Prep mystery to stop now, and Andrew and Lisa seemed pretty upset too."
"I'll think about it," Korah said and placed his hands into the pocket of his trousers. "I have to go. I think lunch is almost over."
"I'm pretty sure there still about thirty minutes left," Esther corrected him. "We have an hour of lunch, remember?"
"Then, I guess I'll go have my lunch in the kitchen. Do you want to come along?"
"Nah," Esther waved him off. "I think I'll just go study in the library until lunch is over."
"I guess I'll see you later then," Korah forced a smile onto his face. "Bye, Esther."
"Bye, Korah."
Korah walked out of the gym while Esther sat glued to her seat. She was deep in thought. She really did not blame Korah for his lack of trust in other people. They both had their trust being broken by people whom they regarded as family.
The only true friend that Esther had before she met Korah was Samuel. After her father died and his employer refused to help them financially in any way, they went into bankruptcy. Her mother had to start working several jobs and Esther would stay at home to look after her younger brother, Jayden.
Sammy was her knight in shining armour, while his mother was an angel. Sammy would visit her every once in a while. His mother, Miss Greene, would buy books and toys for her and her brother. Miss Greene would make lemonade and ask them to sell it for her. However, she would let Esther keep any money she earned from the sales and added five Pounds to it.
Miss Greene gave Esther a piggy bank when she turned ten and taught her the values of saving. Esther still had the piggy bank. It was in her dorm room, inside her suitcase. It was full of the cash and coins that Esther had saved throughout the years. The piggy bank had become too full for Esther to put more money in, so her mother had made her a savings bank out of a shoe box. She always left the box at home.
Miss Greene was the one who opened the gates for Esther to enter Preston Prep. She paid her application fee for the scholarship and filled in the application with Esther's mother, Brenda.
Esther's application was accepted and all she had to do was take her entrance examinations. Miss Greene and Sammy took it upon themselves to teach her all that she needed to know. When she took her exams, she passed amazingly and thanked God, Miss Greene, Sammy and her mother for her success. She couldn't have done it without either of them.
Her mother got remarried a little while after her acceptance (before Esther left for boarding school) and she was blessed with a kind step-father. Her step-father, Josh, was like a father to her. He was a widower with a son. His son was now seven years old, and he took Brenda as his very own mother. Josh was a paediatrician whose first wife had died during child birth.
When she started schooling at Preston Prep Sammy was the one to show her around. He introduced her to her friends and the first person she clicked with was Maya Baker. Maya Baker and Esther were very close until after Sammy died.
Maya began spreading rumours behind her back and it went on until a Year Thirteen. However, few weeks ago, Maya went the extra mile by writing an article all about how Esther caused Sammy to commit suicide and then posted it on the school's student website. The news spread like fire and it was more embarrassing for Esther as she was the Vice Student President. That was when Dexter began to disrespect her even more.
The news died down after the students began to go missing. As she thought about it, she hadn't seen or heard of Maya in a really long time.
Esther awoke from her trance and shook her head to get rid of her thoughts. She stood up from where she was sitting and left the gym. She needed to get to the library to study. Hopefully she would manage to keep her head in her studies.