Underworld by Cathy MacPhail

School book.
    More like a horror story.
    Zesh had recovered by the evening meal. He’d been stupid to forget his inhaler in the first place. But once back in the room, he’d sneaked it out of his drawer and it had worked its usual magic. No one had suspected. Axel was too stupid to realise what was wrong with him, and Liam not interested enough. Angie (was she for real with that singing?) was totally oblivious to everything but her surroundings.
    Only Fiona seemed suspicious – but she’d put it down to his lack of fitness – and that suited Zesh. Letthem think what they liked. For now, he felt great, and it would never happen again. He’d never again forget that inhaler.
    â€˜This food is crap!’ Axel spat out a mouthful back on to his plate.
    Zesh was disgusted. ‘Do you do that in your own house …?’ He paused. ‘Yes, I imagine you do.’
    The cook had heard him too. She strode across to them. Her name was Mrs Soames, and she had a face like a horse with constipation. ‘I’ve never had any complaints before,’ she snapped. She was waving a ladle about threateningly.
    â€˜They probably didn’t survive long enough to complain,’ Fiona butted in. Mrs Soames turned on her too.
    â€˜I can tell you’re only used to the best caviare. Chips and peas more like.’
    Fiona laughed. ‘Aye, but cordon blue chips and peas.’ Even Zesh had to smile at that and Mrs Soames saw that too.
    â€˜You got a complaint as well? I thought it would be only curries you’re used to.’
    Zesh’s smile disappeared. The woman was nasty. He decided he didn’t like her and he was sure she could tell that in his face.
    Liam suddenly grabbed at his throat, started to gag. ‘Help me, I’ve been poisoned … aaaagh …’ and he fell over.
    Their whole table erupted in laughter. Mrs Soames wasn’t laughing. She lifted Liam by the collar and swung him about. ‘Think you’re funny, son. A good feed would kill you. You look anorexic.’ Liam was trying to struggle free of her but she wouldn’t let him go. ‘Oh, look at the skinny wee rabbit. He wouldn’t even make a good plate of soup.’
    Now everyone was laughing, but they were laughing at Liam, and Zesh could see that Liam didn’t like it. His face was bright red. Zesh couldn’t blame him for being angry. Mrs Soames couldn’t make a fool of Axel. He was big and strong and looked likely to thump her without a moment’s hesitation. But Liam? He was easy meat for her to humiliate.
    Suddenly, Mr Marks was in the canteen, striding towards their table, his face like thunder. ‘Mrs Soames. Put that boy down!’
    She immediately obliged and dropped Liam, who fell like a plucked chicken to the ground.
    Mrs Soames was not the least apologetic. ‘You tell them to mind their manners, or they might find somethingin their meals they’re not expecting.’ And she slouched back into her kitchen.
    â€˜Are you sure she should be working with children?’ Fiona asked. ‘If you ask me she’s escaped from a horror movie.’
    â€˜Mrs Soames has been here for years. She’s a bit eccentric, that’s all.’
    â€˜Eccentric? She’s a loony!’ Fiona snorted.
    â€˜I think the food’s quite nice,’ Angie said, munching.
    After the evening meal, Mr Marks and the other teachers who were in charge began calling them all to attention. ‘Right, we’re going to have a get to know each other game.’
    The words had hardly dropped from his lips before Angie was jumping up and down and clapping her hands eagerly. ‘Oh, great fun!’
    Fiona looked at her as if she was mad.
    â€˜You’re all going to hang a card around your neck, like this one.’ Mr Marks held up a specially prepared white card, with string looped through holes at each side. ‘Each of you will be given a pencil and you go