Rabbit Hole on Mars - Day 15 (Nov 15) 1,130 words

Chapter 15

“Ok, you've got the upper hand,” Brian said to the rabbit, “I admit it.”

“I'll head back to the labyrinth now,” the voice said.

Brian decided to push a button, “One thing. What's your name?”

The rabbit looked back at him, “I supposed there's no harm in that. It's Don.”

“Is that your real name?”

“Yes,...as far as you know.” The rabbit rolled up and over the hill.

It was the next morning on Earth.

Mrs. Hopkins entered her classroom, “Welcome to Social Studies everyone. Someone tell me about some news that happened in the world yesterday.”

The class sat still.

“Don't all raise your hands at once.”

Samantha raised her hand, “Man made climate change is predicting a super hot summer.”

“And what are we going to do about it, Samantha?”

“We are going to agree not to go on any summer vacations with our families. Instead we will convince them to enjoy a staycation at home to do our part.”

“That's right! Now as some of you know, I have to take my trip to Europe in a month. My husband and I are going to travel around Europe, using mostly public transportation, and take photos. We want to document the effects of man made climate change in Europe and compare them to how severe it is here in the United States.”

A voice came from someone with their face down on a desk, “It's called a vacation.”

“It's not called a vacation, Donald.” Mrs. Hopkins said, “We are going for the sake of research for the planet. Could you please pick your face up off your desk?”

The body rose up to a seated position. Sleep deprived as if having worked the night shift, Don tilted his head to crack his neck, “My dad always says, 'Don't bullshit a bullshitter.'”

“Donald! As a native american...”

“Half native.”

“Don, doesn't the thought of uncontrolled climate change bother your?”

“This is a Social Studies class, not a science class.”

“All of this is part of Social Studies.”

“We're not socially studying anything. You come in here every morning to tell us we are losers. We don't have a chance at anything. Doesn't matter what the homework is, you are programming our minds to fail at life.”

“Watch your tone, Mister. We are all well aware your good friend, Jason, is missing and it affects your negatively.”

“He ran away from home, he wasn't abducted. Regarding my tone? I could tell you to fuck off and you won't do anything about it, because you feel some kind of white guilt.”

“Just let the anger out, Don. Share it with the class, please.”

Don shook his head, “Ok, all you ever do is tell us how we're not going to make it in the world and how everything is stacked against us. When are we going to get one fucking day for you to tell us that we can do anything? That even if we don't know how to do something, we could do it if we try. You can't give us advice to succeed in life, because you've never been successful in your own life. You are convinced we're going to have the same fate as your shity life.”

“Don, I'm so sorry you feel this way.”

“I don't give a shit if you feel sorry. Connie is sitting next to me, cutting her arm with a razor blade. Jim over there is still drunk from last night. These kids need some direction. They need some motivation. What are you going to give them?!”

Jim slowly looked over at Don, “I'm sober now.”

“No, you're not dude. You stink of Peppermint Schnapps.”

Mrs. Hopkins finally looked concerned, “Don, this dialogue we are having is part of the class.”

“You say whatever it is to make yourself sound good. I'm going to walk out of the class and you aren't even going to tell the principal.”

“Don, I can't put restrictions on you, you have enough already. With your friend gone missing, I know all this is tough on you. As a minority...”
"Don't call me a minority lady."
"Coming to terms with being a minority..."
"Ok, that's it. Peace out, bitch," Don walked out of the classroom. Not because he didn't want to learn, but because there's no education taught at the school.

More importantly, Don wondered what Frankie was up to. By two in the morning, Don set Frankie to automatic pilot and went to bed. The labyrinth was coming along, but not as fast as he had hoped.

Don left the school and walked down to the park. He took a seat on a park bench facing the creek. Watching the water flow, he didn't notice the presence of another person.

“Aren't you supposed to be in class?”

Don looked over, it was his missing friend, Jason, who had run away from home.

Jason asked, “You tell anyone anything yet?”

“What am I supposed to tell them?”

“Okay, just checking.”

“I'd like my stuff back you stole from me.”

“That's not how it works you know that, Don.”

“My best friend shouldn't be a thief.”

“Oh, we're best friends again?”

“I don't know why you're trying to manipulate me.”

“I'm letting you know that I'm keeping an eye on you.”

Don smirked, “I don't give a shit. You were always a shitty friend.”

“Yeah, well I was always the more popular one. Everyone is missing me. If it were you, no one would miss you.”

“What do you want from me?”

“Nothing, but I can't take the chance of you calling the cops after I walk away.

“So what?”

“So lights out,” Jason said as he brought his fist around. Connecting one of his knuckles with Don's temple.

Don was unconscious in a matter of seconds.