Land Read Free Page B

with an angry face just as Alex loudly called out, “You ass!”
    Mrs. Moore took a quick step, blocking Quinn and declared, “Yes. Yes, he is an ass.” This made everybody stop and stare at her in shock. No one could believe that a teacher had said such a thing.
    “My goodness that felt wonderful! I’ve wanted to say that ever since I met you young man.” she exclaimed to Mark. “Do you really think now, in this situation, that type of petty bullying is helpful? No don’t answer. Just stand there with your trap shut and let me tell you something. What Dara said is the exact truth of the situation. You would not know that nor understand as you mainly read comic books. So....Hush!”
    It was very difficult for Alex not to burst out with laughter at the expression on Mark’s face. With his red hair and fair skin he looked like a tomato that was about to burst. Mason finally stepped in and gave his buddy a jab in the ribs with his elbow and a quick shake of his head. Mark took a step back and kept his eyes on the ground as he tried to cool down.
    “Now as I was saying, we should leave here as soon as possible. I would not bother going back to the hotel as it is in the wrong direction and we have the important things such as money and passports with us. Clothing can be replaced. Time cannot. We should walk northeast until we find a sporting goods store and then buy backpacks, camping supplies and bikes if we can. Money should be working for a few more hours before people start to understand the situation. Some form of weapon should also be procured. Things will get very dangerous and it’s best to be prepared to defend oneself.” Mrs. Moore stated in a no nonsense way.
    Alex couldn’t help but be a bit shocked by Mrs. Moore. She had always been a very matronly lady and somewhat strict but this was a not at all what Alex would have expected to lie at the core of her personality. She had always enjoyed Mrs. Moore’s classes as they tended to be a challenge with some good debates, but this was an altogether different lady.
    “Mrs. Moore,” Mason stepped forward. “Why would we try to cross two countries overland when we are so close to the ocean? We could find a boat and easily sail all the way back up to Canada. It would be much quicker and not so physically demanding.”
    Before Mrs. Moore could reply, Mrs. Davis and Mrs. Hardsky the parent chaperones, along with a man no one knew came up to the group. Mrs. Davis started up right away.
    “Norma, this gentleman is also Canadian and he has advised us that our best option is to go to the Canadian Embassy here. They are required to care for us and see to it that we get home.” she said triumphantly.
    Mrs. Moore looked the man over and questioned him. “Where are you from sir?”
    “Please call me Paul. I’m here with my wife and daughter from Toronto.”
    Mrs. Moore then started firing questions at the man. “The Embassy, is it not in downtown Los Angeles? Wouldn’t you have to walk through a lot of very poor, possibly dangerous, neighbourhoods? Other than allowing us inside, what do you think the Embassy could do for us? Won’t there be thousands of Canadians going there? With no transportation how will they send us home? And if they can’t send us home, how will they feed us? Thank you Mr. Paul but I do not believe that you can answer any of those questions with the answers that would make it worth going there.”
    As she started to turn away from him, he grabbed her arm and with panic in his voice loudly stated, “It is their job! They have to take care of us!”
    Mrs. Moore gave the man a very steely glare. “Unhand me and remove yourself from this area sir. Attend to your own family and I will attend to my students.”
    The man moved away angrily and Mrs. Davis immediately took up his case. “Norma really, that is the best idea. We can’t be responsible for all these students in a crisis! We need to go to the authorities for help and the Canadian