"No students allowed beyond this point."

Why?

Ian and Percy stood in the corridor, staring at the imposing sign on the locked steel door. New students were told of the school's "zero tolerance" policy, and what was off limits was, well, off limits. Curiosity got the best of two freshmen. Ian tried to pry open the door without success.

"You know, Percy, it's probably a bunch of electrical stuff."

"Yeah, it could be the furnace or something."

"Maybe it's where the teachers go for lunch."

"Ahem!"

"Mr. Dixon! We weren't going in there. Honest."

"Where are you boys supposed to be?"

"Uh, English class, sir."

"Then I suggest you head for class...Now!"

The boys hurried to class, but Ian glanced back to see Mr. Dixon unlock the door then disappear.

After class, the boys didn't go to lunch; instead they hung back long enough to see the janitor unlock that door then haul in a trash barrel.

"I bet he didn't lock it, Percy."

"No, Ian! You know we'll get in trouble."

"Hey, old man Dixon isn't around to bug us, so come on!"

The boys slipped inside, hiding carefully in the darkness.

"Gee, it's really dark in here."

"Aww, come on. Let's go down this hall. It has to lead to something."

Down a darkened hallway the boys tiptoed. An orange light emanated from door on the opposite end.

"What do you think that is, Ian?"

"Must be the furnace. Come on!"

They reached the room at the end of the hall, actually turning the doorknob, when they felt hands upon them.

"Going anywhere, boys?"

"Mr. Dixon! Er, we didn't mean it! Honest!"

"You know we have a zero tolerance policy. When you break a rule, you pay the consequences."

The boys soon found themselves hurled into that mysterious room. The janitor literally salivated over the prospect of new "guests."

"Is the rack ready, Mr. Flynn?"

"Ready, Mr. Dixon."

Copyright©2003 by P.R. Parker