Unbeknown to William, three other girls had crept around the back of the pavilion and were approaching from behind. “Actually William… it is William, isn’t it?” she asked. “It is our business.” she said. “We’re missing class because you’re skipping school, and it’s our job to find you and take you in.”
“Not on your nellie!” William retorted before turning to run, only to discover three more girls wearing identical uniforms stood with arms folded and a serious expression on their faces. “Oh My!” William yelps, before darting across the old cricket ground towards Hinckley Street.
The girls give chase and are gaining ground. William vaults over the gate but not very well and ends up tumbling to the ground on the other side. He leaps to his feet, glancing behind to the five girls giving chase. They climb the gate more cautiously than he and he gains some distance. “Ha ha!” he laughs, running backwards and still gaining ground. “You gotta do better than that!” he hollers, before turning forwards again and running straight into another group of girls. “Jesus where did you…!” They stop him in his tracks, grabbing his arms. “Get off!” he yells as he struggles to free himself. “Let me go!” he says as they put him on his knees.
One of the two teachers steps forward. “William Dowson, I presume?”
“Who wants to know?” William angrily retorted. “Get these bitches off me!”
“That’s no way to address your new schoolmates William.” the teachers says as the girls giving chase catch up. “You all OK?” he asked.
“Oh yes… we love a good boyhunt Sir.” one of the girls replied.
“He was smoking Sir.” another said, handing the packet of cigarettes to the teacher.
“You know these things are bad for you?” the teacher said as he put the pack in his pocket.
“Damn you!” William spat.
“Put him in the bus.” the teacher said. “…and keep hold of him.” he added.
William shouted a string of obscenities as the girls bundled him into the minibus. “Arghhhh Jesus!” he yelped when one smacked him one
The punch calmed his struggle as he instinctively curled himself. “Can we debag him Sir?” one of the girls asked.
“What do you reckon?” the male teacher asked his female colleague. She turned to the girls and looked down on the boy, pressed against the floor, flailing as best he could. “Yeah… strip him, but don’t hit him unless you have to.” she said.
“Thanks Miss.” the girls giggled before beginning to unceremoniously remove the boy’s clothes. First his monkey boots, then his socks. He’d managed to struggle himself out of his parka jacket on his way into the van. By the time they’d peeled his jumper from him, his jeans were around his knees. He could do nothing but shout obscenities as his clothes were ripped from him, and it was only when he was completely naked that he finally quietened down. The girls bundled him up from the floor onto a bench seat and put him between two of them, his hands cupped his private parts and his face bore an expression of utter terror.
