Strange Muddy Footprints

Strange, muddy footprints were on my porch. I hadn’t ordered delivery in weeks and all my friends were out of town. Maybe I accidentally stepped in mud yesterday? But that was unlikely. I checked the bottom of my shoes just to make sure and they were only a little dusty. Something felt off. An eerie presence was lingering around. My alarm went off, reminding me to get to school on time since I didn’t want to be in detention again. I jumped on my bike and pedaled all the way to the end of the block. What I didn’t notice was the rustling of bushes behind me.

The first period was literature which was always a bit boring. But today, our teacher, Ms. Han, was giving a lecture on mystery books. I noticed something on her hands. Was that chocolate or mud? I knew she had a sweet tooth, but chocolate first thing in the morning?! And she was holding a book with those grimy fingers. As she came prancing around acting out a scene, muddy footprints were following her, but they seemed to be “glitching” since they were a bit slower than how she walked. I rubbed my forehead. Was I hallucinating?

The rest of classes went by in a flash. Although it was fun, something weird was happening to me. In science, my test tub was filled with some watery mud while everyone else’s was a glowing blue. Then, when I went to the restroom during lunch, there was a brown hand print on the mirror. I knew that the popular girls would draw with their lipstick on the surface but what I saw next – I have to admit – was actually funny. There was a muddy kiss on one of the mirrors.

Lockers were being slammed and the bell rang, signaling the end of the school day. I rushed to the library to study for a final I had in math. Our principal, Mr Mitcho had stated that it was ok to stay after school hours since the janitor and a few teachers would still be there finishing up their work. I went to the whiteboard that was bolted on the library wall to solve some equations. Was I hallucinating again or were those equations written in mud? I must be very sleepy. An hour later, I was feeling good to go so I made a trip to the restroom to freshen up before I hop on my bike again.

Once I was inside the bathroom I saw those footprints again. They were leading to the bathroom stall. Curious, I pushed open the door. “Hello?” My voice rang out through the empty building. Strangely, there was a clock sitting on the toilet. This shouldn’t be funny but it was.

All of a sudden I heard ticking. The lights dimmed and when I turned around to run, the exit was no longer in sight. A wall covered with cat clocks moved, their eyes and tails were staring back at me. Bullets of sweat were dripping down my forehead. Maybe this wasn’t so funny anymore.

Yet again, I turned around only to see a message that might have been written in blood (or red paint?). “You are running out of time.” It was signed with a muddy handprint. Like a cheetah, or more like a guinea pig, I scurried out, but what was before me was a cold hallway with the same footprints on my porch.

Wait… Is that tea I smell? Why is it calming? The hallway was no longer so creepy. I take that back! A purple figure wearing boots came into view. As it walked, muddy footprints followed him. It was holding a drippy, red paintbrush and a mug that said “best principal.” Was this who I thought it was? Is it my principal?! I took a wad of paper out of my pocket, which was my only defence. Wait a second… I squinted my eyes. Is that a dinosaur? Have I been transported back 252 million years ago? I’m too young to die! “I’m actually a Tea-rex,” it said as if it read my mind. Sipping his tea, I noticed tea packets in his boots. Hey! Those are mine! He must have been in my house. I knew that because I bought the last one in stock of a limited edition lemon flavored one. How rude of him!

I guess this isn’t so bad. Good thing it wasn’t the principal in the girl’s restroom. These past few days I have been feeling pretty lonely. Maybe I just welcomed myself a new roommate!