BINXED!
Chapter II
The Naming of Cats
1 Victor did not see Binx for the rest of that day ...
2 He skipped out on the last class of the day to leave early and headed straight for the local preschool. Like a creep or a predator he waited outside the gates, looking to catch sight of the little black kitten. He'd said he could bully him after school, right? 'So he'll be happy to see me, heh heh' he thought with gleeful spite to himself and smiled ...
3 But to his chagrin, or more accurately his disappointment, he did not catch sight of the little black kitten.
4 In the following days he walked the same way, hoping to bump into the beady-eyed bird brain once again, but alas, he caught no sight of him ... like he'd simply vanished ... from existence! Another 'magic trick' thought Victor irritably. "black magic" he scoffed derisively.
5 He kept coming to the gateway of the preschool, until a security guard finally took notice and walked towards him. "Waiting for a younger sibling?" said a large buffalo. "What'sit to ya!? What do you care?!" Victor said defiantly. The Buffalo just folded his arms and glared at him, and Victor skulked off saying "pffff ... whatever ..."
6 A whole week went by and ... although he didn't want to admit it ...
7 ... did he ... miss Binx? Naaaah! Fuck him! He just wanted to get back at him for that crazy humiliating stunt he'd pulled! No twerp had ever defied him and not gotten their comeuppance before! He had a score to settle, but as the days carried on he got more and more disheartened, and ultimately thought and cared about it less and less ... good riddance to bad rubbish ... stupid little jerk ...
8 Another week went by, and Victor had nearly forgotten the kitten existed ...
9 Then one day as he was walking down Doyle Street, a route he'd become habituated to over the last two weeks, a happy thought occurred to him: 'He's scared of me after all!'. He must have changed his route, Victor thought to himself. 'I scared him so badly he's doing everything in his power to avoid me. Heh heh! He must be living every day in terror, scared to death of the day he'll have to cross paths with me again!' thought Victor with his chest puffed up with pride.
10 For the rest of that morning, Victor walked around with a wicked and demented smile on his face. He didn't even bother bullying or teasing anyone that whole morning. He was too busy gloating to himself of his greatest achievement. He'd scared that little bastard of a kitten! Maybe he even traumatized him for life! One could only hope! He's probably been terrified of his own shadow ever since they crossed paths, always looking over his back, jumping at he slightest sound, and all thanks to him, Victor Von Finkelstein, the meanest toughest hare this side of The Valley, The Mad Hare, The Rabid Rabbit, The Tireless Tormentor, The Heartless Harasser, The Merciless Monster, The Notorious Ne'er-do-well, The Vicious V! Victor felt genuinely proud of himself, and that put him in a great mood throughout the day.
11 Well you got 'em bucko! It was a tough nut to crack, but you got 'em. You scared the living shit out of that lily-livered — scatter-brained — silly-frilly — faggy-skitty — li'l-itty-bitty-shitty-kitty!
12 By the time the lunch bell rang, Victor was practically glowing. His victims were extra uncomfortable and scurried away, but he did not pursue. They'd never seen him this happy before and that could only mean bad things for them. Something was clearly off! If Victor was happy it could only mean the world was about to end or something!
13 He got on the lunch line with his tray, and he didn't demand anyone's lunch money. He did not skip the line, he did not bump, batter, beat, assail, assault, mangle, maime, or molest his fellow students. Everyone gave him a wide berth, but he didn't seem to notice or care, he was still lost in his pleasant day dreams of the frightened little kitten and all the fun he'd have if he ever bumped into him again shivering and shaking and letting him do the most despicable and indecent things he could think of to him while he simply begged to be spared or let go. Ahhhh ... the thoughts kept playing over and over again in his head infusing his body with a kind of vibrant ticklish energy. It gave him sporadic little erections throughout the day. His toes curled as he sat in class as he flexed his paws contemplating strangling Binx and banging his head on the floor over and over while he straddled him ... sigh ... what a pleasant thought!
14 Victor began to sing-song under his voice on the lunch line remembering the little black kitten and his silly stupid obnoxious song, "jel - li -cle - songs - for - jel - li -cle - CATS - jeli - cle - soooongs - for - jellicle CATS, jelicle songs for jellicle CATS! heh heh heh!" he snickered to himself maniacally. That stupid stupid kitten, ha ha ha! '... Stupid little retarded faggy fruitcake pipsqueak dweebish dorkwad dingleberry ...' he mumbled to himself. 'He's just putty in my hands', thought Victor triumphantly, 'for me to mold into whatever shape I want! Oh, and what wonderful plans I have for you my little black beau!'
15 Everyone within ear shot was extremely uncomfortable. It sounded like Victor was mumbling nonsense to himself and clearly losing his goddamned mind ... that is to say, he seemed even more unstable than usual ... and that's saying somethin'!
16 At last he couldn't help but belt out triumphantly "JEL-LI-CLE THWAMPS FOR JEL-LI-CLE CATS! JEL-LI-CLE THWAMPS FOR JEL-LI-CLE CATS! HA HA HA!"
17 "You're a Cats fan too!" said Binx enthusiastically popping out of seemingly nowhere!
18 "GAH!" Victor burst out, taken back in surprise. "Howdininyou - where dininyou - fuck! How the fuck do you do that!?!" Victor demanded angrily.
19 "Do what?" Binx replied innocuously, tilted his head confused. "THAT! Just pop the fuck outta nowhere like that like a goddamned looney toons character?! You got a pocket dimension I don't know about!? WHAT GIVES!?!" Victor shouted hysterically.
20 "Oh that. hehe. Naaaaaaaah, I'm just nimble!" Binx chirped like they were old friends. Binx then turned to the crowd and said "It's okay everyone, he's with me. Thank you ^_^". Binx waved to all the confused furry faces that were thinking they were both crazy. Then Binx turned back looking up to Victor with a winsome smile, "Thanks for helping me skip the line, hehe. Anywho, got any more questions for me?".
21 "Okay First Off, let's get one damn thing straight, I'm not here to HELP YOU with goddamn anything, I'm here to thwamp you and make your little life a living hell!!! Got that?! Does that compute in that peanut of a brain you got in there!? Secondly, who the fuck says 'nimble', and thirdly ... and most importantly, WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING HERE! AREN'T YOU SUPPOSE TO BE IN PRESCHOOL!?!" Victor exploded.
22 "Well firstly, I am glad you admit I'm worthy of your time. I'll be sure to return the favor by making our cat-and-mouse game legendary! You can run and you can hide, but I'll be sure to find you, hehe!" Binx said cheerfully. "Secondly, I say 'nimble' obviously, and thirdly, I go to school here same as you. Also I'm here for lunch ... cause I'm hungry" Binx said flatly, then smiled like a clueless customer assistant representative.
23 "What do you mean you go to school HERE?! Aren't you a Fucking Preschooler!? I mean look at you ... you - are - soooo - fucking - smaaaaaaaallllllll!" Victor said as he bent down, slowly moving to strangle the little infuriating kitten in frustration.
24 "We're the same age. I'm nine and in fourth, just like you. Sadly, I was born a runt you see." Binx said sadly. He did not flinch however. How was he not the least afraid that Victor was going to wring his little neck!? Victor fumed in consternation. Was this kitten missing all his screws and then some?!
25 Victor turned back to his tray defeated and scowled. He couldn't afford to actually start trouble in the lunchroom again. And clearly Binx was too fucking STUPID to be intimidated by mere threats ... he would just have to wait until after school to give the li'l kitten his 'proper thwamping' ... then he wouldn't DARE patronize him like this again!
26 ... but for now he needed to ditch the dodo. Just his mere presence was eroding away his reputation every second he was standing there. He was making him look like a fool and a chump and Victor did not like that one bit!
27 "Alright. Scram runt. I eat alone." he said flatly. "But why?" Binx queried innocently. "WHY!? CAUSE I FUCKIN' SAID SO! YOU GOT ROCKS FOR BRAINS! BEAT IT TWERP!" Victor shouted as he slammed his tray repeatedly. Binx shut his eyes and recoiled slightly. Binx quickly recovered though. "No. Not the scram part, that's obvious. I mean why do you eat alone?" Binx asked sweetly. "What?!? -" Victor gawked, "MIND YOUR OWN GODDAMN BUSINESS BOOGERBRAIN!"
28 With that one of the security guards familiar with Victors antics whistled. "HEY! WE GOT A PROBLEM VICTOR?!" shouted Patrick The Polar Bear. Victor turned around and shot back, "Hey, see this kid right here?!" pointing at Binx vigorously, "This little furball skipped! I saw him! Tell him to go to the back of the goddamn line where he belongs!". Victor said pointing dramatically to the beginning of the line all the way on the opposite end of the lunch room ... far far faaaaaaaar away from him!
29 "I didn't see anyone skip the line. And I only see YOU complaining, howsa 'bout you shut your trap and get your lunch in peace for once, ay?" The Polar Bear said. The other kids on the line snickered.
30 "Great" ... Victor grumbled sarcastically under his breath. It seemed like he was going to be getting no help from the school or his fellow students. Figures! Of course they wouldn't take his side in anything. 'Everything is stacked against me' he thought sullenly.
31 Victor returned to his tray and huffed in resignation.
32 "Welp, looks like you're stuck with me, hehe." Binx grinned cheerfully up at Victor.
33 "I know what you are up to" Victor said poking his pointer finger into Binx's forehead and pushing him away slightly. "But it's not me whose trapped in here with you, it's you who are trapped in here with ME! Got THAT!?!"
34 "Got it! I'm trapped with you ... and noooow that you've got me ... hehe ... I'll be sure to always be by your side!" Binx said with a shy little smile as he checked out the selection. "Uuuuuuuwwww! Pizza! Love those" Binx said looking up to Victor like they were the best of buds.
35 "Oh sure, play it up fuzzball. Act the fool, see if I care, but know this: once I get my way, you are going to be BEGGING to be left alone ... and I'll promise you this little dweeb, so open up your big ears, shut your little mouth, and listen carefully ... there will be NO mercy for you! I'm going to follow you where ever you go. Imma find out where you live. I'm going to make sure your every waking moment a world of endless dread and pain and suffering! You'll never know when I'll pop up around the corner-"
36 "That Sounds exciting! The anticipation is already killing me! I can't wait!" Binx said in a chipper tone that sent electric shocks of irritation down Victors spine. He wanted to burst out in aggravation, but Victor had to try and stay calm ...
37 ... This little twerp was just fucking with him. That had to be it! No one was THIS FUCKING DENSE! Alright, intimidation wasn't going to work on this one, that just means he had to thwamp him extra hard to put him in his place, at the nearest opportunity. Victor fists tightened around his tray as he tried to restrain his sadistic impatience. 'Just you wait little kitten. The wait will only make my revenge all the sweeter, then you will know why they call me the Vicious V ... but for now ... a change in strategy is in order ...' thought Victor.
38 Victor stopped in his tracks and let Binx and the rest of the line walk into him, but he did not budge. When he felt he made his point he turned around menacingly to Binx causing him to back up slightly into the crowd.
39 Then Victor pushed his tray behind him and rested his arm on the cafeteria rails. They were cold but Victor was too professional to flinch. Binx looked up uncertainly.
40 "It's clear you're new here. Clearly you don't know how this works. Hi. I'm Victor Von Finkelstein, the meanest maddest hare in The Valley, you may have heard of me. I am NOT your friend-" Victor began but was interrupted. "Nice to meet you! My name is Binx Bubbeleski! The sweetest cuddliest kitten you ever did see, or at least that's what my mommy always says. I just transferred here this school year and I've just gotta say-" Binx blurted out but was cut off mid sentence as Victor pinched his lips together. "It's time to button that lip, yes? Yes. Ahhhh ... you hear that?" Victor mockingly put his other paw to his ear. "That is the delicious sound of a stupid little kitten shutting the fuck up. Now then, this cutesy innocent routine you got going on" Victor said swirling his other finger around judgmentally, "It's wearing thin. Alright? I see right through it. You ain't foolin' anyone, least of all me. Now where was I?" Victor said lost in thought.
41 "mph hmph fmph mph fmph" Binx mumbled. "What?!" Victor said releasing Binx's lips. "You said we are not friends". "Oh that's right", Victor said buttoning Binx's lips back up again and pondering just the right words.
42 "Right. I'm not your friend. I don't want to hang out with you. I am a bully and you are a dweeb, a dork, a nerd, a hehe, retarded twerp, in short, you are my plaything and I am your tormentor. Your job is to stay the HELL away from me and it's my job to chase you, not the other way around, got that?". Binx shook his head up and down. He let Binx's lips go.
43 Binx moved his mouth around a bit and stuck out his tongue to stop his lips from feeling numb. "You pinch very hard." he said plainly. "Good" Victor said fitfully. Finally, some good news.
44 "Hey can you two pansies move it along and flirt with each other later?" came a random voice behind them in the line. Victor's blood pressure shot up past 200. Victor started slamming his tray onto the rails over and over again loudly, PAM! PAM! PAM!. "HEY! HEY! HEY! WHO THE FUCK SAID THAT! I'LL PULL YOUR TAIL OUT YOUR ASS AND RAM IT DOWN YOUR THROAT AS DECORATION!"
45 "VICTOR! KNOCK IT OFF, or it's straight to the dean's office or the psych ward, take your pick, it's my treat!" came back the polar bear who walked a little ways to the line closing some of the distance.
46 Victor glared up at Patrick The Polar Bear and glared in frustration tray still in hand. Every fiber in Victors being was screaming out in rage. He wanted to crack that tray right over Patrick's head and attack him with everything he had, but he knew he had no chance to make much of a dent. It would only serve to look humiliating and ruin his reputation further. Victor hesitated but he knew every moment that passed just made him look weaker.
47 "And move it along Victor, you are holding up the whole line!" Patrick ordered.
48 "YOU KNOW WHAT!? FUCK THIS!" Victor shouted at Patrick. Then he turned around and slammed his empty tray on the rails. He hadn't even bothered to grab anything to eat he'd been so flustered by Binx's stupid banter. Then he turned to Binx and shouted in his face "AND FUCK YOU! I will see you after school!" he said poking Binx in the chest over and over again. Then he stormed off towards the cafeteria exits.
49 "Oooooooooooooooo!" came the other kids on the line. "Oh boy kid, did you ever screw the wrong pooch. I think you are a dead cat." an elephant boy behind Binx said to him. Binx turned to looking forlorn towards Victor. "Do you think he's shaking in his boots?" a tiger girl whispered. Binx continued to look longingly towards Victor.
50 Then suddenly he blurted out, "Hey! Wait up!" and Binx ran after Victor, tray and pizza in hand. The kids looked at each other quizzically. "Yeah ... that kid really is nuttier than a fruitcake" they finally concluded.
51 Binx was quickly catching up with Victor who was just skulking off slowly. "Come on Victor, hold up!" Binx called out to him.
52 Just as Binx was about to close the distance, Victor turned around suddenly, "Stop following me!" he shouted sullenly, and smacked Binx's tray to the ground, flipping it over and causing the pizza to land underneath it cheese-side down. Binx looked down at the tray and then back up and Victor. "Welp, that wasn't very nice" he said flatly. "OF COURSE IT WASN'T VERY NICE! WHAT GAVE YOU THE IMPRESSION I'M NICE! I'M FUCKING EVIL!". Then he started to stompped down on the tray over and over again smooshing the pizza onto the dirty cafeteria floor. With every stomp came out another spiteful word, "I - TOLD - YOU - TO - LEAVE - ME - THE - FUCK - A - LONE!". Victor took a moment to gather his breath and Binx just stood there looking at him with a blank look. Then Victor smiled triumphantly while he caught his breath, "heh heh heh ... so much for your lunch! Aw, and Pizza is your favorite, ha ha!". Binx blinked twice, "Actually the fish sandwiches are my fave, but ummmm, I was actually about to give that to you" he said evenly. Victor began to turn red like a beat. "Why would you do a damn fool thing like that?!" he demanded. "Because, you didn't grab any lunch? And I thought you might be hungry" Binx explained. "DON'T BE NICE TO ME! Are you insane?! WHY ARE YOU BEING NICE TO ME!? THAT'S FUCKING WEIRD!" Victor blurted out in exasperation. "Well, I think it's weird you don't want me to be nice to you" Binx said. "Who asked for your dumbass opinion numbnuts! But whatever, either way you still go hungry so HA!". Victor didn't understand why he was fuming right now, but everything about this kid annoyed him to his core. All he wanted to do was get away from him so he could meet up with him after school and teach him a lesson as soon as possible!
53 "Actually I have plenty of juicies and apples put away for lunch, but thanks for the concern ^_^" Binx smiled. Victor frowned. "Don't ever let me catch you in here again! You hear me?" Victor threatened. "I mean, I could very easily get lunch here without you ever catching me, but maybe we should make the lunchroom like base. No cat and mouse in the cafeteria. That way we can both eat in peace. Whacha say Pal? A Truce?" Binx offered his paw to shake on it. Victor slapped his paw away. "HOW ABOUT YOU LEAVE ME IN PEACE!" Victor fumed. "Maybe you should calm down" Binx offered. "SHUT UP! Shut up, shut up, shut up! Get out of my face, Turn around, and leave me alone! RIGHT - NOW!" Victor said pointing dramatically back to the cafeteria line. Binx just stood there and wouldn't budge. Victor huffed and puffed but this kid wouldn't leave him the fuck alone. He just looked at him with those big round dopey eyes like a kitten looking for a home. "But I thought you said you were gonna make my every waking moment a living hell. How you gonna do that if we don't stick together Victor?" Binx queried pleadingly. "Listen twerp. Leave me the fuck alone right now or you aren't going to have a life to turn into a living hell in a moment!". "But-" Binx tried to plead, "No buts! Turn around and go away!". "Fine ..." Binx said reluctantly and started to shuffle off. Victor kept an eye on Binx making sure he kept going. 'Keep walking, and don't you dare look back' Victor thought to himself. Binx looked back with a look of sadness. "NUH UH! DON'T EVEN LOOK AT ME! I DON'T WANT TO SEE YOUR UGLY FACE!" Victor pointed away dramatically. Binx didn't say anything, but he looked away dejected and slumped away ..
54 Victor just continued to stand there and watch suspiciously ...
55 Suddenly Binx spun around on his footpaws with a big grin on his face. "But wouldn't you like to know where I've been for two weeks?" he chirped and beamed with a smile, his paws behind his back. Victor stared him down. This fucking kid. Of course he wasn't going to give in. This was getting nowhere...
56 "No." he said flatly, and turned around and walked off. That infuriating kitten. Victor wanted to choke the life out of him right now, but he couldn't afford going back to the psych ward again. That place was practically like a prison. He hated being drugged up and left in that sanitized environment on lock down 24/7/365, every movement scrutinized and with nothing to do, except watch some lame-ass television.
57 "You sure?" Binx said starting to follow Victor again as he was about to leave through the cafeteria doors. Victor swung the door behind him hoping it would smack Binx in the face. It did not. Binx just sidestepped it and walked through the other door like Victor had not just tried to smack him with the other one.
58 "I bet you can't guess where I went" Binx said still following at Victor's side. "Oh I'll figure out your new route in due time little one, don't you fret about that. You can't hide from me for long!" Victor monologued refusing to look at Binx. "Um. But I'm not trying to hide. I'm right here. Why would I try to hide? Aren't we having fun?" Binx said.
59 Victor turned around and looked at Binx and started poking his chest. "Listen you, either you start hiding or the chase if OFF! GOT THAT!?" Victor said menacingly. "Ummmm ... well that's not very intimidating". Victor took a moment to realize what he'd just said and started stammering. "Gmph- mph- Y-You are confusing me! Has anyone ever told you: YOU ARE INCREDIBLY ANNOYING!" he shouted in Binx's face. "As a matter of fact-" Binx began cheerfully. "Stuff it! I don't want to hear it!" Victor said walking off again.
60 Binx continued to follow, "I could just tell you the route if you like" he tried to offer helpfully. Victor stopped again and turned around, "Why do you keep trying to ruin this for me!? Are you really this stupid?! Did you hit all the branches on the way down the idiot-tree when the stork dropped you!? You aren't suppose to tell me your route DUMBASS, you are suppose to keep it secret so I don't thwamp you on the way to school!". "Huh? I'm confused. How are you gonna thwamp me on my way to school if I'm on my way to the Poconos? That doesn't make sense". Victor blinked in irritation. "What?! WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT!?" Victor demanded marching towards Binx menacingly. If Victor had half a wit left he would know better than to try and ask.
61 "Wait ... oooooooh ... I get it now" Binx said walking backwards and chatting nonchalantly, "hehe, oh that's funny". "What, what do you got, spill the beans twerp or so help me -" Victor said grabbing Binx by his pink bookbag straps. "You thought I changed my route to school to avoid bumping into you, didn't you. No silly billy." Binx said booping Victor on the nose. "The route I'm talking about was down the I-95. Me and my mommy went to the Poconos for two weeks".
62 Something in Victor snapped. He pulled the kitten close to his face. "BULLSHIT! JUST ADMIT IT! YOU ARE TERRIFIED OF ME! THAT'S WHY YOU AVOIDED ME FOR TWO WHOLE FUCKING WEEKS!!!"
63 "Ahem, your breath kinda smells" Binx said sticking out his tongue. "ARRRRGGGGHHHH!" Victor growled pinning Binx up against a wall. "Okay okay, look." Binx said as he stiffled a giggle. "If I were afraid of you why would I come to see you the first chance I got?" Binx said. "What are you talking about?!" Victor demanded beginning to lose his ability to process anything. "When I saw you on the lunch line. I ran directly to you! I'd - I'd ... missed you" Binx said softly.
64 Victor had it! He lifted Binx up against the wall to meet his eyes and pressed their noses right up against each other, "you infernal insufferable little brat! I am going to make you fear me if it's the last thing I do!" he shout whispered. Binx was pinned to the wall and was completely helpless. He stared into the firey eyes of the tall and handsome black jackrabbit, not but just inches away from his own gentle eyes. Then Binx began to smile a sneaky impish little smile realizing something. Their lips were less than an inch away and they both were breathing heavily. "You like kissing boys don't you?" Binx whispered slyly. "WHAT!?!" Victor's eyes went wild.
65 "VICTOR!" shouted Patrick as he grabbed Victor by the back, giving Victor a jolt. "Drop him" Patrick said flatly. Victor turned around to see the massive polar bear looming over his shoulder. Goddamnit. He'd been goaded into starting trouble in plain sight. He was so busy with Binx he didn't even notice Patrick following them. How could he be so stupid?! Why hadn't he been paying attention to his surroundings!?!
66 Patrick tightened his grip twisting Victors furry flesh. "Hurry up!" he demanded. Victor let Binx go and he dropped to the ground with a little thud. Then Patrick grabbed Victor by the ears. "Let's go. You going to the Dean's Office right now and getting a write up".
67 With that the pair marched down the hallway towards the Dean's Office, Patrick still roughly pulling Victor's ears. Binx got himself up off the ground and dusted himself off and rubbed his tushie gently. When he found himself unharmed, he looked towards Victor who was still looking back at him with a massive scowl. Binx smiled gently at Victor. "Bubbye! See you after school Viccy!" Binx called out and waved enthusiastically. "Don't call me that!", Victor practically squealed.
68 Unbeknownst to Victor or Binx, Frankie the Fox had been quietly lurking in the shadows, observing their interaction from just around the corner ...
***
69 Victor sat sullenly in the Dean's Office, a place he knew well. He scowled and folded his arms performatively, but he wasn't so much mad at the system as mad at himself. Mad at himself for breaking another code, the code of the bully. Always know your surroundings, always act in secret. Always make the target feel fear and be under your control without ever having to do anything overt. Make it bad enough to hurt but not bad enough for anyone to actually do anything about it. Steer the target to a more secure location, and then and only then let them have it! There was an art to it, a finesse, and Victor had just lost it. And then his thoughts turned to that infernal smug little black kitten. Giggling and laughing it up right now. 'He thinks it's all a joke. I'll show him how serious it really is' Victor mumbled under his breath.
70 His hatred now shifted from himself, to Binx. It was Binx who caused him to falter. Not through any skill or wit or talent. No. That's giving him too much credit! No, with his unadulterated saccharine stupidity. 'He's too innocent. He needs to be shown the true depths of depravity in this world' he continued to ruminate. Binx was not a complete unknown, a complete anomaly. Sometimes in your career as a bully you'd encounter the odd kid. The one that would seem to not know, or to pretend to not know, that he was in the process of being bullied. They'd laugh at their own humiliation. They'd attempt to befriend their bullies, maybe to curry favor or at least mitigate aggression. It was a defense mechanism. 'The stratagems of the weak' Victor groused to himself. But there was something different about Binx Victor couldn't wrap his paws around. It didn't come across as simple naivety. It's not that he wasn't being nice, but he also wasn't so naive to be doing it out of some lack of understanding ... it's like ... he's was nice while he understood perfectly, everything Victor was trying to do to him. Not as a game to get Victor to calm down or be kinder himself. It was like ... nothing he did even mattered. Binx was Binx was Binx was Binx, in an endless loop of circular logic. How do I break him? How do I crack that pesky little acorn?! There had to be some weakness to exploit ... other than the merely physical. Sure he could overpower him, but where was the fun in that? No, real power came from getting them on the inside. Knowing what strings to pull, what sore spots to pinpoint, to turn them into your dancing puppet. Victors stomach mixed with an uncomfortable sickly energy. Part desire, but also something else, something dark, warm, nauseating and unpleasant. It was a fire that burned his victims but also, burned himself as well. He tried to push the feeling down, but it just radiated through his whole body. He felt warm and ucky sitting there in that seat.
71 "It's been a while Victor. You're getting sloppy" grinned the Dean, a Mr. Wesley Weselton, a shrewd and crafty weasel whose position was no accident. He'd made sure to be exactly where he wanted to be.
72 "That kid is a menace! He wouldn't leave me alone!" Victor complained. "He should be in here too for being a goddamned pest."
73 "Careful there Victor, you are starting to make it sound like he was picking on you." Mr. Weselton said knowingly.
74 "Yes! I mean, no, I mean - look, he's infuriating. I told him to stop following me and he kept following me. Isn't that harassment? Isn't there something in the bylaws about stalking another student? Can't you write him up or something?"
75 "Oh ho ho!" The Dean laughed smugly falling back into his chair. "How the mighty have fallen. You want me to do your dirty work for you, ay?". Victor shrugged irritably. "Stalking is a very serious accusation. But you make it sound like you are a frightened girl. Are you a frightened girl Victor? Do you feel threatened by Binx?"
76 "No. I don't feel threatened. I just think the little stinker should get what's coming to him! The kid skipped the line today too. Why can't he be in trouble? What's so good about him? What, because he smiles and I scowl? You might as well have a rule 'don't be a moody shit'. Y'all all pick on me because of my attitude. But I didn't break any rules. I was just having a conversation with the twerp. I was trying to come to an understanding-like is all."
77 "Oh, first you are being stalked and now you are having a conversation? Can't even keep your own story straight, ay? And yes, I suppose lifting him off the ground was just theatrics, purely for verbal emphasis. Not to mention the shouting. What did he do Victor? Did he hurt your pride? Rob you of your dignity? Violate your ego?"
78 "Look Pops, you are not my therapist. Just give me my detention slip and let me go. We've been through this a hundred times before. I know you are just trying to grill me. Well it ain't working."
79 "Right. Because Vic-tor is made of stiffer stuff, he's made of granite. He's got no heart, no love, for his fellow students, only burning rage and resentment, ay?"
80 "Heckle me all you want. You can't keep me here forever Pops. I've got class in 15 minutes"
81 "I'm not grilling you Victor, I'm trying to help you. Here is your slip. This afternoon. If you don't show there will be consequences. Then, then I will rub you out without mercy. Try me. Make no mistake Victor ... I enjoy my job too. Don't give me a reason to."
82 Victor stared down the Dean. The Dean matched his glare with the same intensity. They were both bullies when it came down to it. Him sitting there all smug and superior with his little office desk and credentials. Getting to act all tough to the toughest kids in school. Knowing he had the power to make their home lives more difficult than they already were. Knowing he could call the authorities, recommend treatment options, and worst of all, expel a student if need be. Let Victor slip further and further down the education system until he was surrounded by the worst of the worst, kids who would make him look like a saint by comparison. Victor knew he had it good here. Good school, a good stock of wimpy kids to exploit. That was the one thing Mr. Weselton could threaten him with. To take away his playthings. To leave him to have to scrape it out amongst the worst of the worst at the bottom of the barrel. Here he was at least respected and feared, even if it also meant he was a leper amongst his peers. At least they feared him, and that was enough. Victor hated the hypocrisy of it all. Mr. Weselton was just as much a bully as him, but it was institutionalized. He worked within the system. He got to dole out his psychotic cruelty through the guise of corrective justice. Victor hated him ... because he reminded him too much of himself ...
83 The Dean passed the detention slip to Victor and Victor grabbed it voraciously, but Mr. Weselton held on. Victor pulled and pulled but couldn't loosen it. Then Mr. Weselton leaned in with a manic grin. "Just a word of advice Vic-tor. The little one. My advise, you should leave that one be". A sweat droplet went down Victor's face. That sounded an awful lot like a threat. "Oh yeah? And why's that Pops?"
84 "That's Ms. Duncan's kid. Ms. Duncan is a long time friend of mine. Don't misunderstand me Victor, I can help you, but don't fuck with me. I am not your friend. I won't hesitate to make your life a living hell if you cross me."
85 Victor knew what that meant. Medications, psych wards, night school, summer school, and finally Juvy. A loose screw in the system, going down, down, down, where no one cared.
86 Victor continued to tug with increasing aggravation on the detention slip, then Mr. Weselton let go and Victor fell over along with his chair. The Dean snickered a barely suppressed snicker as he grinned a self-satisfied grin. Victor scowled up at him. He did that on purpose. Asshat was always getting away with creepy shit. But no one would believe him. It would just make Victor look like a whinny bitch to complain. 'I hate you' Victor's eyes said.
87 "Can I go now Mr. Weselton." Victor said with mock respect. "Yes, you may go Finkelstein". "Good" Victor said getting himself up and dusting himself off. He did not bother to put the chair back. Fuck the Dean, let him put the chair back. Then he walked towards the door with as much dignity as he could muster.
88 "Hold on Victor, sit down" Mr. Weselton said as if he was suddenly jovial again. "Let's not leave like this". "Sigh..." Victor said propping the chair up and plopping himself down on it again "What?! What is it now!" he said slumping into his chair with his arms folded.
89 "This Binx kid. This is strictly off the record, you keep this to yourself, but my advise to you is, stop fighting it.". "STOP FIGHTING WHAT!?!" Victor fumed suddenly. "Victor calm yourself. Don't make me have to make a show of really bringing down the hammer. Just listen". Victor blinked irritably. "I'm - listening" he grit his teeth.
90 "I know what's going on. Instead of running away maybe let him in a little. You and Binx have more in common than you know" the Dean said. "What the fuck is that suppose to mean!?" Victor raised his voice, though less intensely this time. "Binx is like you. He's just as anchorless as you are" the Dean explained cryptically. Victor cleared his throat, "He said his name is Bubbeleski". "Yes..." Mr. Weselton said solemnly. "He insists on it. There is no record of that name. You understand". Victor nodded. "Then you may go. Get out of here, before I change my mind. You sicken me." Mr. Weselton said waving his hand towards the door. Victor marched towards the door with his detention slip in hand, but then he turned to the Dean just as he was about to exit the door, "likewise" he said scornfully without stifling his voice. Both exchanged a glance of mutual acknowledgement, the Dean smiled ever so slightly and signaled a formal leave of absence, and Victor hastily made his leave. He didn't want to spend another moment with that monster ...
***
91 The hallways were spooky and empty at this time of day. The classrooms were empty and everyone was still in the lunchroom. Victor felt uneasy though he wasn't totally sure why. He was more wary than usual looking behind him and around corners carefully. Not a soul in sight.
92 Binx.
93 Was he still waiting for him just around the corner? Right where he left him? By the wall next to the lockers? Victor turned the corner carefully. Suddenly he got a chill down his spine and quickly turned around behind him. Nothing. He coulda sworn ... the little kitten was right there. Standing behind him smiling that obnoxious little Cheshire Cat smile of his. Damn him -
94 This was fucking ridiculous. Victor Von Finkelstein being on edge? Over a stupid little black kitten?! Victor strode out into the empty hallway and slammed his fist into a locker as hard as he could, just because he could ... or maybe to prove he wasn't scared. It reverberated through the hallway, intimidating anyone who might be there to hear it. The gesture felt empty and futile. Why did he feel such a need to assert his dominance. He was twice that kittens size for Yah-Hasha's Sake!
95 "Get yourself together Victor. He's just a stupid cat" he said under his breath. Of course he wasn't actually afraid of Binx. What could that little pipsqueak do to him? That silly little runt, that pipsqueak with cotton candy for brains.
96 "Binx" he said dismissively. "Binx. What a god damned stupid name. Sounds like the name you'd give a circus clown." he said to himself. "That's exactly what he is, a god-damned clown. A cosmic joke. Nature's dancing monkey ... a brazen court jester grinning at the King's expense ... fit for the guillotine! Teacher's pet, pah! Like I give a fuck about that. That pampered kitten is in for a world of hurt if he thinks being Ms. Duncan's special little darling is going to protect him from me! Bubbeleski. More like bobblehead, or bonker's bitchface, or bubblebrained brat. Heh heh. Binx Bubblebrain. That's a good one. What a numbnut. What a dorkwad. What a rube. Ha ha! What a ... a - a loser!"
97 "I'm being ridiculous! He literally wants to come to me, practically gift wrapping himself! Why am I complaining?! He wants to come, let him. All the better. heh heh." Victor rubbed his paws together excitedly. "I will show him what real pain and suffering is ... and when he is battered, and beaten, and bleeding, and bleeting for mercy ... then ... and only then, I'll belittle him, and berate him, and browbeat him, and when he is finally in a mess of tears and gives himself to me fully and unreservedly ... then I'll molest the fuck out of him, and violate him, the likes of which has never been seen, no humiliation or degradation will be too good for you little one ... you'll be so violated and traumatized you won't know what to do ... but be my pet ..." Victor clenched his fists and teeth angrily as he dwelled on his most vile of fantasies, all being overwritten in that very moment to feature Binx and only Binx.
98 "Binx. Binxy, little Binxy ... Binxy - Binky! That's it! Binky! That fit's that nine-year-old toddler perfectly! Binky want his Binky? You wanna your baba too little Binky Baby? Do you need a bib you big stupid messy baby!? Yeah, that's what you are! Just a big stupid baby! And making up a stupid name like Bubbeleski for yourself - pah - what an inane child -"
99"The naming of cats is a difficult matter,
it isn't just one of your holiday games"
a quiet still voice echoed through the hallway.
100 "WHO SAID THAT?!" Victor shouted out in terror. He looked around in a state of delirium, but could not pinpoint the source of the voice.
101"You may think at first, I'm as mad as a hatter,
when I tell you a cat must have three different names!"
came the metallic voice again from some unknown place.
102 "Come out here an fight like a predator you coward! I know it's you twerp!" Victor shouted as he started looking around lockers, under the water fountain, and opening the lockers and checking them one-by-one.
103"First of all, there's a name that the family use daily,
such as Peter, Augustus, Alonzo or James,
Such as Victor or Jonathan, George or Bill Bailey,
All of them sensible, everyday names"
came the voice a third time.
104 "I'm not fucking around anymore. Get out here and face me Binx! I'll turn your guts inside out and let the whole school see what a lilly-livered coward you really are!" threatened Victor unsteadily. This couldn't be real. Get it together man! What the fuck is wrong with you!
105"There are fancier names if you think they sound sweeter,
some for the gentlemen, some for the dames,
Such as Plato, Ademetus, Electra, Demeter,
But all of them sensible, everyday names..."
the voice continued to taunt.
106 Victor began banging all the lockers throughout the hallway. "STOP IT! STOP IT! SHUT UP! ANSWER ME! STOP SPEWING THIS GODDAMNED GOBBLEDY-GOOK AND EXPLAIN YOURSELF!" Victor demanded.
107The voice continued without mercy or thought, as if the words had been uttered long ago and were merely echoing throughout the ages:
"But I tell you a cat needs a name that's particular,
A name that's peculiar and more dignified,"
108 The words had become more intense, as if many cats were saying it at once. This time it echoed strangely through the halls as if coming from every ceiling, wall, and floorboard. It was like the very fabric of spacetime itself was vibrating with the voice, having no specific origin, mysteriously coming from everywhere but also nowhere ... How was he doing this?! How was this possible!? "STOP IT! STOP IT! GET OUT OF MY FUCKING HEAD!" Victor began to squeal as if in pain, falling on his knees, and doubled over holding his stomach as if ill, and then pulling his head and ears down as if trying to shut out the madness.
109"Else how can he keep up his tail perpendicular,
Or spread out his whiskers or cherish his pride?
110 "It's just an illusion. It's just an illusion Victor, get it the fuck together!" Victor said rocking gently all alone in the hallway.
111"Of names of this kind, I can give you a quorum,
Such as Munkustrap, Quaxo or Coricopat,
such Bombalurina, or else Jellylorum,
Names that never belong to more than one cat"
112 "It's coming from above! He's inside the ceiling!" Victor said suddenly standing up and babbling like a madman. "You are in the air vents aren't you?! Oh you trixie little thing. He's in that air vent right above me!" Victor said as he started to try and climb up the lockers to try and reach an open grate just above. He could hear a fan whirring but it was so dark he couldn't make out a thing. He couldn't see Binx in there but he was sure he was there taunting him, teasing him, delighting in his mental anguish. Victor's only choice was to return the favor, there was no way he was going to be "binxed", it was Binx who was "jinxed"! He would suffer the full glory of Victor's wrath, now and forever, Victor swore to himself.
113Now the voice came from somewhere else entirely, near the floor, seemingly from beneath the floor boards. Impossible! How could Binx have changed location so fast!
"But above and beyond, there's still one name left over,
and that is the name I shall never confess,
the name that no animal or anthro can uncover,
but the cat himself knows and you can never guess"
114 "I will BEAT IT OUT OF YOUR ASS! I WILL BEAT IT-" Victor suddenly got cut off as he fell off the lockers and landed onto the floor hurting his arm and his knees. "GAH!" he shouted. He began to crawl following the sound along the bottom end of the lockers. Somehow it was just beneath them, though opening them revealed nothing but that the voice had moved on. He was fast approaching the very spot he'd left Binx ... at the end of the lockers ... he gulped but he kept going ...
115"When you notice a cat in profound meditation,
The reason, I tell you, is always the same,
His mind is engaged in a rapt contemplation,
of the thought, of the thought, of the thought ... of his name..."
116 Victor felt his mind slipping, but he insisted on following the voice anyway, even though he was terrified to find out who was around the corner, taunting him, driving him mad ... the words continued to haunt him becoming stranger and more dreamlike as he approached the end of the lockers ...
117 "His ineffable, effable, effanineffable,
deep and inscrutable singular ..."
118 Victor finally managed to reach the corner beyond the lockers only to find -
119"Name, name, name, name, name, name, name, name, name, ..."
the word echoed and repeated and slowly faded into the recesses of the mind ...
120 Victor stared horrified and bewildered ... there was no one there to greet him except an empty wall ... and yet the words continued to echo in Victor's head with no source and fade until there was nothing but silence ...
121"name, name, name, name, name, name, name, name, name, name, name, name, name, name, name, name, name, name, name, name, name, name, name, name, name, name, name, name, name, name, name, name, name, name, name, name, name, name, name, name, name, name, name, name, name, name, name, name, name, name, name, name, name, name, name, name, name, name, name, name, name, name, name, name, ..."
... To Be Continued ...
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