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Teenage Ghost
Dan Holbert used his Janitorial keys and opened Studemont High as he had done every year for the past six years.
He expected to see roaches in the kitchen, rats in the utility room, and various other creepy crawly insects. It was always the same every year, it was unnerving and comforting at the same time.
He walked through the kitchen area and cringed at the insects. He opened every cabinet and every drawer, regardless of fear. He checked off every utensil and pan from the inventory sheet. The trays were stacked in the pantry, where some of last years food had been forgotten. He heard the distinct squeak of a mouse.
Dan drew in a deep breath and moved on.
Everything was accounted for in the cafeteria, now he made his way to the Office. Once in the office he switched on all the lights, and proceeded to the inner office area. Once inside he smiled warmly at the coffee maker, as if he was greeting an old friend he hadn’t seen in months.
Dan poured himself a cup of coffee. Black, no sugar or cream. He sat down in cloth covered lounger and enjoyed his brew. After two cups of coffee, he was ready to tackle the main halls of the school. Dan poured himself a cup for the road and headed out, he’d back to finish off the pot before the two hour timer turned it off.
As he walked down the science wing he noticed the temperature was getting colder the closer he got to Science Lab 2.
By the time he reached the lab he noticed the door was ajar. Dan took in a deep breath and pushed the door inward, light poured in and temporarily blinded him.
He instinctively covered his eyes, and noticed the sounds of outside coming in. He lowered his hand and looked at the mess the empty room had to offer.
Several plastic measuring devices were scattered about the floor, as was shattered glass. He glanced up at the busted window. Dan felt his blood pressure start to rise. He walked over to the cabinets, but they were still locked. Nothing had been taken.
Dan pulled out his cell phone and dialed school maintenance. “Yeah it looks like kids broke in over the summer. Need the window replaced in Science Lab Two.” He spoke briefly then hung up.
He checked every room after that, but found none disturbed. Even the Audio Visual Room was untouched. He checked the boys restrooms and saw nothing out of place. It was not littered with new graffiti, yet. The school year was yet to start.
Then a troubling thought crossed his mind, and he began to check the girls restrooms as well.
Dan was not used to walking to the girls restroom. He felt quite awkward about it and maybe even a little squeamish. But after the first two, his confidence was higher. The restrooms were clean and normal, nothing to worry about at all.
Then he reached the bottom floor. Dan stood a good distance away from the girls restroom door. Last year, there had been reports. Reports he didn’t even want to think about. Reports about a female custodial finding a girl dead in the third stall. She had written something on the wall with her blood before she died. Some boyfriend, who didn’t love her anymore or something. The female custodial quit after that, they had to hire a new one. What if it had happened again.
Dan walked slowly towards the door, his heart pounded in his chest. He pushed the door open and turned on the lights. He breathed in slow steady breaths as he rounded the corner and looked into the restroom.
He was astonished at the vast clutter accumulated all over the restroom. Phones, junk jewelry, junk food from the vending machines.
“Hello?” Dan called out loud.
There was no response.
Dan checked every stall, but found no one. He grabbed the large trash can from the supply closet and went back and threw everything into it. After he was done it took the stuff to the Metal Shops’ trash compactor and tossed it all in. With a quick flick of a switch the whole lot of booty was demolished.
Dan smiled a smile of satisfaction. “That will teach those kids.”