Volume 09

“You are expelled and expected to
bring all those fish back to the pet
store or else a warrant for your arrest
will be made.” Principal Hyde told
Hobbes. “You severed a girl’s spine,
what more do you expect?”
Archie helped Hobbes with his stuff
as they walked down the hall with
boxes in their hands. Hobbes carried
his fish and watched them all in
their little cups sway side to side in the
water. Everyone craned their heads as
Hobbes and Archie drift out of the
building like pale white ghosts. “Psychopath!”
Jack Matthews yelled before
the front doors closed behind them.
Around the corner, the Japanese man
who ran Pegasus Pet Supply waited
outside his shop with his hands behind
his back. His wife helped him as
Archie and Hobbes handed over each
fish still in their little tanks.
The wife grabbed Hobbes’ favorite
fish in the bowl from his hands
but Hobbes pulled the bowl closer
to him. “Brooks!” He insisted on
keeping his Plakat. Archie jumped
in front of the wife and his brother
with a handful of cash.
“Just let him keep this one.” He
told her. The Japanese couple went
back inside with the rest of the fish,
shaking their heads. Archie turned
to Hobbes.
“Are you fucking crazy?” Archie took the
fishbowl from him and tucked it under
his arm. “Come on, let’s go home.”