Underworld Read Free Page A

miracle. From no breath, to life, and just because of this little piece of plastic. He breathed again deeply, and then got to his feet. Now he was ready to face anything.
    Just in time. Mr Marks pushed open the door as Zesh slipped the inhaler back into his pocket. ‘Ready, Zesh?’ he asked.
    Zesh splashed his face with water. ‘Ready, sir,’ he answered and he followed the teacher out the door.
    There was quiet in the boys’ toilets, but only for a moment. Only until one of the cubicle doors opened, and Liam jumped to the ground. He was sure he must be sussed when the inhaler had rolled into the cubicle he was in, but it was only Zesh’s arm that had appeared,snatching desperately, and he hadn’t even noticed Liam perched on the seat like a vulture.
    Liam liked knowing things about people. Things no one else did.
    And now he knew Mr Perfect Zesh had a weakness. He had asthma.

Chapter 4
    â€˜Let me go!’ Axel was still struggling wildly as he was dragged up the long corridor to the headmaster’s office. Mr Marks was saying nothing, but his face was grim. Zesh had to quicken his pace to keep up with him, and even he was wondering about the anger on the teacher’s face. Just because he’d caught them fighting?
    â€˜You’re hurting me!’ Axel made one more futile attempt to free himself. ‘I could have you for this.’
    â€˜Report me then.’ Mr Mark’s voice was flat and harsh. When he reached the headmaster’s door he almost threw Axel inside.
    â€˜What’s your problem?’ Axel began pulling his jumper back into shape and was taken aback by the vehemence of the teacher’s anwer to that.
    â€˜What’s
my
problem?’ He exploded. ‘Where were you last night, O’Rourke?’
    â€˜None of your business …
sir
,’ he added sarcastically.
    Mr Marks just stared at him. ‘Oh, I think it’s completely my business. You’d better have an alibi for last night, boy.’
    I might as well not be here, Zesh thought. It’s as if they’re here on their own. I could sneak out and not be missed. He wouldn’t do that, of course. That wasn’t his way. Stand up and face the music, that was his way. He wondered what his father would say if he learned that Zesh had got into trouble. He’d be surprised, and angry too. ‘Letting the side down, Zeshan,’ he could almost hear him say.
    Then, an even more horrifying thought rushed at Zesh. What if this spoiled his chances of being chosen for the school trip?
    He was so caught up with his own thoughts he almost missed what Axel was saying, until he finally shouted, ‘Somebody slashed your tyres, sir?’ His voice was triumphant. ‘Good for them!’
    Mr Marks glared at him. ‘As I say, you’d better have an alibi.’
    â€˜You should keep your car in a garage, sir. It would be safer.’
    â€˜You obviously know I don’t.’
    Axel’s eyes flashed. ‘I know nothing. I’m not gettingthe blame for this. I get the blame for everything.’
    Mr Marks moved his face so close to Axel’s that Zesh thought he was about to head-butt him. Way too close. He could see the anger still in the teacher’s face. He was inches – seconds – away from losing it completely, and ruining his whole career.
    â€˜I’ll not let you squirm your way out of this one.’
    Zesh saw Mr Marks’s knuckles tighten on the shoulder of Axel’s jacket. He could see exactly what the teacher really wanted to do. Lift Axel off the ground. Probably throw him through a window. For a second, Zesh was almost sure he would. He was a powerful man, Mr Marks.
    â€˜Sir!’ Zesh shouted, wanting to break the tension. ‘The headmaster will be in assembly now. He won’t be back in the office for ages.’
    Axel finally managed to pull away. ‘You’re a head case. Sir!’
    Mr Marks took a step back,