Tom foils Ms. Hope's plans

Tom was sprinting down a dimly lit tunnel. With the exception of stone and evenly spaced torches on both sides there was nothing else. He was ready to call it quits when the void ahead suddenly gave way to a small sphere of natural light. Tom exhaled and coughed. The visualization of the end in sight replenished his energy. He was going to make it.

Tom's eyes shot open to the sound of clattering silverware downstairs. A surge of adrenaline flooded his system and sent him reaching for his wooden baseball bat. The good ol' slugger, it saw him through championships. Today it would see to it that he survived for another day.

Tom stealthily made his way down the stairs, but not without anxiety. A home invasion seemed to be out of the question. Prior to the outbreak this neighborhood was famous for its stupidly high safety rating. So then who exactly could be in the kitchen?

Peeking around the corner into the dining area made him drop the bat in relief. It was just his siblings. Wait, wasn't school still going on? It was still lunchtime.

Tom leaned at the doorway. "Okay, what the hell are you guys doing coming home so early?"

Britney turned around with a joyful expression. "School administrators let us go because of an incident!"

Jessica set her tablet on the table and put her chin in her hands. "Many of the teachers are looking for Dr. Turner."

Tom almost choked on his saliva. "Oh my god, is he okay?"

"Well I heard that he wasn't feeling well. Someone told me that the principal vowed to find him. She along with the school nurse wanted to personally tend to him," Britney replied.

Tom shuddered at the thought of the two ladies getting their tits on the chemistry teacher.

"Don't worry I think he's fine and will probably return tomorrow! In the meantime, we found some cookie dough and a milk bottle on our doorstep earlier. You've been so good to us that we decided to make you a nice snack!"

Jessica turned her head to look at her brother. She patted the seat to her right and offered him an angelic smile. Tom nodded and went to take his place at the table. Britney set a plate of beautifully stacked chocolate chip cookies that looked nothing short of perfection. Tom licked his lips and stared at the tasty treats.

As the last tall glass was being filled with milk, Tom sighed. Finally, a reward for keeping the nymphos and Pamela Hope at bay. Ah, Ms. Hope and her milk dripping all over the place... then it hit him. His mind was racing, and the paranoia was all he needed to start linking it together.

"Nobody touch the cookies or milk," Tom commanded, his voice deeper than usual.

Jessica and Britney froze, their eyes wide. They've never heard their brother in an authoritative tone like this. Jessica's hand was just inches away from grabbing the first cookie. It returned to the edge of the table.

Tom rose from his seat, gingerly took the three glasses together, and spilled their hazardous contents into the sink. Without looking at his sisters, he returned to retrieve the big plate. The so-called perfect dessert fell into the trash bin. Satisfied, the man returned to his chair and folded his arms.

"Girls, we almost died today," he said bluntly. "What you found on the doorstep wasn't food or drink. It was poison from one of our neighbors, and I think we all know who I'm talking about."

Birds chirped outside as the two girls mentally caught up.

"I, I actually didn't think about that..." Britney stammered.

Jessica cupped her hands over her mouth. "Yet it makes total sense, and I'm stupid falling for it."

Tom moved over to the blinds. Peering through the cracks he could see Ms. Hope's residence. "Jess, don't be so hard on yourself. Hey why don't you guys go to your rooms and relax. I'll clean up, and we'll all have a nice dinner come tonight."

After the second door shut upstairs, Tom clenched his fists. Jessica's birthday was coming up, and his insane neighbor came so close to destroying everything. Fortunately, the crisis had been averted. For now. Tom sat on the couch, wondering if he should brew up a plan of his own to make the bimbo miserable.