¦Chapter 5: The Problem With Potatoes¦

At first, all they saw was potatoes and kids falling down. Then they figured out what was happening.

Ximen was turning his mashed potatoes back into normal, uncooked potatoes. Then, he or Xanithan would give them to students, who, upon eating them, their eyes would roll back into their heads, and they and others around them would scream as they keeled over backwards. It was just about the creepiest, grossest, most horrifying humor in the history of Udomia.

Kids handed over their potatoes, laughing and screeching and staring at what was happening. The monitors were pale and overwhelmed, leaning meekly against the walls. Some teachers were rushing through the doors, followed by the kitchen staff. It was a mess. That’s why nobody noticed as three figures slipped out the door.

The silent hallway greeted Tily, Erin, and Peter as they slowly made their way towards the Arches, where they sat down under the single tree that had managed to grow between the stones: a sturdy dogwood, good for climbing.

“That was………” Erin whispered.

“Gross, horrifying, sick, creepy, terrible, I agree with Tily now,” finished Peter.

“Yeah,” breathed Erin,”me, too.”

“Finally!” Tily said, sitting up. “Want to climb the tree?”

“Sure.”

Up in the branches, they watched the sun set, sending orange, red, hot pink, purple, and finally inky black. No one spoke for a long time.

“What do think ended up happening?” Erin asked quietly.

“The teachers probably cleared it up, brought the kids who were hurt to the infirmary, and gave Ximen and Xanithan a lecture and detention,” Peter said.

“Don’t forget about the yell fest from the kitchen staff!” laughed Tily.

Erin sighed, a smile on her face that no one could see. “I should have believed you sooner, Tily.”

“Don’t get all cheesy, now!” Tily said.

“Full moon tonight. An some unusually bright stars,” said Peter.

“What does that have to do with anything?” Tily asked.

“Nothing. I’m just trying to make conversation.”

“Sure.”

Peter started rising into the air.

“Stop showing off!” Tily said. Peter just laughed and kept flying. Tily climbed a few branches higher so that she was level with Peter.

“Ow!” she cried.”Your wing smacked me in the face!”

“Sorry! But is it my fault you weren’t looking out?”

“It’s not possible to look out, since your wings are invisible!”

“You have a point there,” said Peter sheepishly. Just then, a bell rang out from somewhere in the castle.

“Looks like it’s time to head to bed,” Erin stated. They got down and trooped to the High East Wing, where they bid each other good night and went on their way.

As Erin and Tily lay in their beds, they quietly talked about the spectacle. They had one main question.

What had made those potatoes poisoned?