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Nevertheless, Randle’s design was praised with wild, cheering applause. “Without asking for the opinion of anyone else, I have officially named our school mascot … wait for it … the HAWK!!! However,” Randle stated, “There’s a second part to this new addition. We will host a costumed dress-up version of the HAWK next Saturday at the 10^th annual Hawk Run Elementary Carnival!!!” The crowd was absolutely ecstatic.

            In the meantime, back in the old storage closet, Quincy began to get hungry as it was his regular feeding time. Kayleb, who was currently in the principal’s office, knew Quincy was probably famished and began to feel anxious. “I can’t babysit you forever,” the principal said. “I’m going back to the assembly. You stay here while I’m gone.” “Yes ma’am!” Kayleb said, knowing this was his chance to slip out unnoticed.

            Carefully, Kayleb snuck out of the office and went down a back hallway that led to the teacher’s lounge. Seeing the coast was clear, he managed to sneak down out the back and into the main hallway where Quincy was. Through the computer lab, and around back Kayleb found Quincy chirping for food. Kayleb reached for the sack of birdseed kept in the closet and poured it into a bowl. Suddenly, Kayleb remembered Randle’s awful Hawk drawing that he saw being carried in as he was being escorted to the principal’s office.

            “I’m not bad at cartooning,” Kayleb thought, “Maybe I could made a logo that outdid Randle’s by a long shot!” Using Quincy as a model, he went into the computer lab and loaded a graphic-design software he had saved to his school account. Carefully caricaturing Quincy, he had drawn a masterpiece logo compared to the garbage Randle made.

After saving the picture, Kayleb had left the file up on his computer screen to examine it. “Wow, anyone with eyes could see this is better! Maybe I’ll submit it to the school!” Just then, Kayleb could hear his principal calling his name, “KAYLEB! Where’d you go?!” “Oh no,” he thought, “How am I going to get back in time?!” He scooped Quincy up in his hands and made a run for the closet door. Plopping Quincy on the ground, he swung the closet door and ran for the principal’s office. However, he forgot to do one very small, yet important thing … make sure the door was shut.

Incredibly, Kayleb managed to make it back to the principal’s office unseen right before she walked in. “Where have you been?!” the principal asked. “Uh … I’m sorry ma’am, but I was here the whole time,” Kayleb lied. “I don’t feel like arguing with you. I’ve missed half the assembly partially because of you, so why don’t we just forget about this incident and go back,” said the principal. Relieved, Kayleb happily agreed and went back into the gym.

            Randle was finishing his speech back at the assembly. “So, tryouts for the school mascot ‘the HAWK’ will be held all next week after school from 3:45-4:45! Bring your own costume and prepare a routine. I’ll be the judge for the auditions!” As Randle was presenting the information on the school, Quincy managed to leave the storage room and wandered into the computer lab. Quincy became hungry again. Searching for something to eat, he walked across the computer Kayleb had used to caricature himself. The computer still had his picture onscreen. Still looking for food, Quincy began chewing on the cords plugged into Kayleb’s computer. Suddenly, without notice, one of the cords broke sending a blast of electricity outward, electrocuting Quincy.

            The school had a sudden blackout, terrifying many of the younger children in the assembly. Even Randle shrieked just a bit. Kayleb remembered not shutting the door, and imagined the worst. “Stay calm everyone,” the principal exclaimed, though it didn’t help. Kayleb managed to exit the gymnasium yet again unseen, and went straight to the computer lab. Smoke poured out the partially open door, frightening Kayleb. “Oh no, what have I done?!” Slowly, he cracked the door open. To his astonishment, there stood the cartoon Quail he had drawn just minutes ago right before his very eyes! It couldn’t speak, but walked right up to him. “Q-Quincy?” Kayleb asked with an unstable tone.

            The Quail was huge, just about as big as he was. It nodded it’s head, and acted just like the baby Quincy Quail. Yet, its mannerisms were those of a cartoon character. Kayleb walked over to the computer he’d drawn the caricature with. The cords had bite marks, and were connected to the screen displaying his cartoon. “There’s no way! There’s just no way that happened!” Quincy’s DNA was reconfigured when electrocuted with the data of Kayleb’s cartoon! “It must be the fumes of the smoke, I’m seeing things!”

            Just then, the principal and Randle came barging into the computer lab. “What the …?!” the principal exclaimed. “YOU’VE REALLY DONE IT THIS TIME KAYLEB!” Randle shouted from behind the principal. Coughing from the smoke, the principal looked over at Quincy. “Is THIS what you’ve been doing in here?!” the principal asked. “Well, um, listen I….” before he could say anything, the principal shouted, “This is the most amazing mascot I’ve ever seen! Did you make the outfit?! Oh, I’ve got to know who’s in there!!” Trying not to sound insane, Kayleb lied, “Umm, it’s a … SECRET!” “Well Kayleb, you’ve really outdone yourself!” Randle quickly said, “Wow, it sure looks grea- … WAIT! You’re not going to have this juvenile delinquent suspended for the potential minimal damage he caused to your wonderful school?” After a long awkward pause, the principal responded, “Well Randle, apparently you don’t recognize quality craftsmanship. I think your hawk mascot is great Kayleb! I’ll sign your audition up for 3:50 Monday!” Without thinking, Kayleb replied with, “uh, okay.”

            At 3:45, the final bell rang and the school was let out for the weekend. Kayleb was still back in the computer lab with Quincy. Trying to figure out if he really was insane or not, Kayleb asked, “Can, you, um, understand what I’m saying?” The quail thought a second, smiled, and nodded his head. “Can you talk?” Quincy thought, a puzzled look came over his face, and he shrugged. Not knowing what to do, Kayleb sighed and sat to think. A long period of silence fell, as Quincy was looking around the computer lab with the curiosity of a toddler. “All right,” Kayleb said, “I’m still not sure what happened, but you can’t stay here.” Kayleb handed Quincy his jacket, and said, “Put this on and hide your face; we need to get the heck out of here!”

            On their way out, Kayleb stopped by the front office to check the audition list. “Yup, here we are, 3:50. How are we supposed to pull this off?” As his eyes wandered down the list, he caught Randle’s name listed on the audition forum! Kayleb said aloud, “HE’S trying out?! I thought he was the judge!” “Actually, I AM the judge! I’m also trying out. I figured I shouldn’t be limited to given student privileges just because I’m chosen for special jobs,” said Randle, who Kayleb didn’t notice. “You’re mascot was pretty impressive, as is mine.” “Oh okay, so good luck with your audition,” said Kayleb, cringing from trying not to be a jerk. “My dear boy, there is no luck but only fate in this world,” Randle said with an arrogant grin.

            Later that afternoon, Kayleb took Quincy back into the forest. “How are we going to do this?” asked Kayleb aloud to Quincy. “They have no idea you’re a real quail. Are you willing to audition?” Quincy thought, smiled, and nodded his head. “Okay, what would you do for your routine?” Quincy thought, smiled, and began to do the chicken dance. Laughing, Kayleb said, “Wow, that’s pretty good!” Quincy looked up, smiled again, and started moonwalking. Laughing even harder, he said, “I’m really impressed! But can you…” Quincy then did a combination of breakdancing, the twist, and disco all with one wing behind his back. Kayleb was speechless. He stood with his jaw wide open for quite a while, finally saying, “That … was … epic.”

            For the weekend, Quincy stayed in the forest. “I know it’s probably not right,” Kayleb told Quincy, “but you can’t stay in my house. I don’t think my mom would react well with me bringing home a quail as big as myself.” Though Quincy wasn’t thrilled, he understood and stayed without complaining. The same weekend, Randle was having troubles of his own. “Our principal is only supposed to compliment me,” Randle thought. “If I pick myself for school mascot, people will question why I didn’t pick Kayleb’s … friend? Oh pitiful me, I must go make myself feel better by forcing people to acknowledge the dangers of global warming.”

            When Monday came, classes resumed as usual and Quincy stayed in the forest until after school. Once the final bell rang, Quincy entered Hawk Run Elementary for his audition. Students seeing Quincy for the first time whispered back and forth, all looking in his direction. Quincy headed to the gym for his audition, walking proudly with his wings at his hips. Marching up to Randle behind the judge’s booth, Quincy gave a friendly wave. “Oh, hello,” Randle said, annoyed. “Name please.” Quincy was caught by surprise, and didn’t know what to do. “Name, please,” Randle barked. Quincy noticed an open can of white paint and a brush being used for the gym’s remodeling. Improvising quickly, Quincy grabbed the paintbrush, reached behind and wrote “Quincy Quail” on his back feathers. Turning around, the crowd behind Randle roared with laughter.

            “QUIET!!! My apologies mister Quail, but these auditions are for the HAWK. If you haven’t noticed, the school’s name is Hawk Run Elementary. I am sorry, but you’ll have to leave now,” Randle said with a snooty tone. “Lighten up Randle, that was hilarious,” yelled an audience member from behind the judge booth. “Yeah, give him a chance,” yelled another audience member. Frustrated, Randle said, “Okay fine, but YOU better be pretty darn good.” Quincy nodded, and went on with his routine. As he did in the forest, Quincy began with the chicken dance, later moving to the moonwalk, and finally a combination of breakdancing, the twist, and disco with one feather behind his back. Once finished, Quincy got up, looked at Randle and the audience behind him.

            Panting heavily, Quincy stared at the audience staring back at him, speechless. “Okay, that will be all…” Randle was suddenly cut off. The audience went out of control, screaming and cheering wildly at Quincy’s incredible performance. At that moment, Kayleb walked into the gym. Laughing at the crowd’s reaction and Quincy’s dumfounded expression, he sat down in the risers with the rest of the spectators. Randle was debating whether he should feel sorry for himself or be furious. He managed to mumble over the applause, “Please take your seat now.” Waltzing over to where Kayleb was sitting, Quincy gave him a big thumbs-up. “Let’s see Randle top that,” Kayleb said grinning.

            The following Friday, a day before the carnival the last session of auditions were held. Quincy and Kayleb heard Randle was listed for the final audition of the day, and decided to check out their competition. They took their seats in the gymnasium, and the try-outs began. Some were good, some were awful, and some were so-so. Then at 4:40, Randle announced, “Well bless my soul, it appears I am on the audition sheet!” The crowd was agitated. An audience member sarcastically blurted, “How’re you going to judge and tryout at the same time?!” Randle responded, “I assume I’ll just give an honest report of my own performance.” The crowd, who all knew Randle was going to vote for himself, all mumbled in their own frustration.

            Randle stood up, and from a plastic bag pulled out what looked to be a duct taped surgeon mask that was made to look like a beak, a filthy black jacket with the word “HAWK” written in the middle, and a pair of chipped cardboard wings. Randle put on the homemade hawk outfit, and inserted a cassette tape into the gym’s speaker system. “It’s my own original composition,” Randle said. A dreadful homemade rehashed version of “Eye of the Tiger” was blasted throughout the entire school, leaving all of the spectators grimacing uncomfortably. Randle essentially walked in circles for the main extent of his audition, with an occasional Umpa-Lumpa style cartwheel and summersault. The audience was in awe of the terribleness of Randle’s tryout. When it was finally over, the cassette tape halted with a screech on par with that of fingernails to a chalkboard. Randle changed out of his outfit and took his seat from behind the judge’s booth.

“Now, to be fair,” Randle said, “I can’t let talent such as that go to waste. I understand it’s a little odd that I’m both judging and trying out for position as mascot, but I simply can’t deny how truly talented I am. I think it’s abundantly clear who the winner should be, don’t you?” “Yeah,” yelled a spectator, “That quail kid!” “NO,” Randle blurted without thinking, “it should me! I hereby award myself position as … the HAWK!” “Randle,” the principal said who was standing beside the judging booth, “I don’t mean to be rude, but didn’t you see Quincy’s audition?” “Yes,” Randle said, irritated. “It was alright, but nothing special.” “Actually Randle, if I were you I would have seriously considered choosing him. You’re not abusing your power as student president, are you?” Randle froze. “Oh, um, absolutely not ma’am,” he said, shaking. The principal then asked, “Well then Randle, I suppose you’re capable of telling us who really did the best.” Quincy’s eyes lit up. “Well,” Randle squawked, “Um, well, I guess…” Randle couldn’t find it in him to admit he wasn’t the best, but couldn’t say Quincy won either. Consumed in his own self pity and frustration, Randle squealed, “I’m hurt!!!” and ran outside without another word.

Over the intercom, Randle heard the principal announce, “Students of Hawk Run Elementary, we have selected our new school mascot.” A corny drum roll sound effect was played, and the principal said, “Please give a big round of applause for Quincy Quail, our new school mascot!” He could hear cheering from inside the school. “Oh and Randle,” the principal said, “Please report to my office immediately.” Randle walked into the school, terrified. It seemed like all eyes were on him. Randle stepped into the principal’s office, and found Kayleb and Quincy beside her. She said nothing, but went straight to the student council board. Taking whiteout, she crossed Randle’s name off of the ‘Student President’ position, and with a permanent marker wrote Kayleb’s name over his. Randle’s jaw dropped. “You have demonstrated no leadership qualities whatsoever during your time as president, but rather acts of selfishness,” the principal said. “I’m sorry I had to do this Randle.” Flabbergasted, Randle stepped up to Kayleb and spat in his face, then ran cowardly out the front door. The principal yelled, “You have lost rights to attending tomorrow’s carnival young man!”

At home, Randle sat staring at a wall in his room. “Randle,” his mom yelled from downstairs, “do you want to join your sister and me in reciting bible verses?” “No thank you mother,” he replied. “How about serving down at the homeless shelter, or perhaps hold a quick charity fundraiser downtown?” “Again, no thank you mother.” “You don’t even want to give blood at Red Cross?” “NO THANK YOU,” Randle said irritated. “Wait a minute,” he thought, “who exactly is that Quincy guy? They never really announced who was playing him. And why was there so much smoke in the computer lab?” Randle remembered a picture of a cartoon bird on Kayleb’s computer screen. “I could have sworn I had seen teeth marks on those wires too. It just seemed like that quail came out of nowhere…” Randle pulled out his original Hawk Run logo he’d drawn. He took it over to his dad’s picture scanner, and copied it to his desktop. Opening the file, he gazed at the picture. “There’s got to be something to that picture of Kayleb’s.”

Randle took the wires hooked up to his computer. “Why were there teeth marks in that computer? I just don’t get it!” Randle, still holding the wires, held his head in his hands feeling sorry for himself. Idiotically, he began gnawing on the wires. The rubber tore, and Randle accidently chomped on a circuit. It let off a small explosion, throwing Randle backwards. “What the…” Randle said in shock. He looked over at his arm, and noticed small feathery hairs growing before his eyes. Giving an evil smile, Randle fled out his bedroom window and back to the school. His mom yelled, “Randle, what’s going on up there?” from downstairs, but he was already on his way. When he reached Hawk Run, he took a large rock from the school garden and used it to shatter a glass window. A security alarm rang aloud, but didn’t stop him.

Though it was difficult to see, and the alarm was blasting everywhere, Randle managed to find his computer in the lab. Randle opened a copy of his logo he’d saved on his desktop. “Let’s see Quincy top this act!” Randle plunged his teeth into the wires with all his force, resulting in a huge explosion damaging most of the computers around. Smoke filled most of the room, which was partially on fire. The police and fire department arrived at the school within a matter of minutes, all rushing to the computer lab. “Freeze!” the police yelled as they entered the computer lab, but it seemed as though no one was there. Then, a dark figure emerged from the shadow of the smoke. “Looking for me?” the figure muttered as it rose from a dark corner of the room. It swooped down and across the room, flying so fast the impact knocked the police to their feet. It then crashed through a window and out into the huge forest surrounding the school. The police tried chasing it, but the shadowy creature was long gone.

The next day, crime scene tape was placed around the computer lab and outside where the windows had shattered. The school carnival was almost canceled, but too much time and effort had been put forth to postpone it any longer. Meanwhile that morning, Quincy was preparing for his arrival as the new school mascot. “You’ll do great,” Kayleb encouraged him, “just do what you did last Monday!” Though a little nervous, Quincy smiled and headed into Hawk Run Elementary for his big appearance. Standing next to the front door was the principal. “Well, look who it is,” the principal said, “You ready for the big moment Quincy?” He humbly smiled and nodded his head. “Now listen, at 3:00 exactly, you open these here front doors. Got it?” Quincy nodded his head again. The wait seemed like hours to Quincy, who patiently waited aside the school’s main entrance. Finally at 2:59, he went over to the front doors to officially kick off the carnival. Kids lined up blocks to get in, and were thrilled to see the school’s new mascot ready to open the doors. “Let us in! Let us in!” they all chanted. But before Quincy could, he noticed something odd in the sky above the crowd.

A huge hawk that looked like Randle’s school logo came soaring overhead school. It had pitch black feathers, a hideous face, and wings that looked like flames flickering in the wind. It flew down fascinating the onlookers waiting outside. No one really knew what to think. Was it an act? Was it a real hawk? Whatever it was, it captivated everyone’s attention. “It that the new mascot?!” someone cried. Cackling, it soared straight into the side of the school destroying a chunk of the brick wall. The onlookers were terrified. “I am … the HAWK!!!” it screamed. Meanwhile, Quincy was inside and clueless what to do.

The HAWK flew into Hawk Run Elementary and grabbed a bucket of baseballs for a ‘Shoot the Targets’ game. Soaring back outside, the HAWK began throwing the baseballs at the helpless onlookers. Quincy knew he needed to stop him, but didn’t know how. He heard a first grader balling, “Why Quincy, why would you do this to us?!” They were mistaking the HAWK for Quincy! From within the crowd, Quincy saw Kayleb running towards the front door barely missing the HAWK. Quincy quickly let him and the rest of the spectators inside. Kayleb asked, “Is that, Randle?!” Too busy to think, Quincy was trying to manage the stampede of horrified students running inside. The HAWK screamed, “You can’t escape me!! This school’s gettin’ what it gave to me!” It began trying to break another corner of the school wall.

Kayleb yelled, “Someone get the principal!!!” He then looked down to realize she was curled in a ball hiding under a table. The wall broke, and the HAWK flew in towards the screaming crowd. The entire school seemed to have shifted from a carnival to a horror movie. “It’s up to me,” Quincy said heroically. Everyone gasped simultaneously, including Quincy. Kayleb managed to ask, “Y-you can t-talk?!” Quincy was awestruck. He replied, “I can. Wait, I can?!” Not even he himself realized what he was capable of. Just then, the HAWK flew by grabbing Quincy by the shoulder, and skyrocketed out the roof.

The HAWK dragged Quincy higher and higher until eventually the oxygen was too thin to breathe. The HAWK whispered, “Better than me? I don’t think so.” It let go of Quincy, and he plummeted out of sight. Staring down through the fog, the HAWK waited to hear a thud but no such sound came. Dead silence passed, until Quincy soared back up giving a sucker punch straight to the HAWK’s beak. The HAWK shrieked, “Quails can fly?!” “Apparently,” Quincy said laughing.

“I’ve had it with you,” the HAWK said furiously, “Ever since you showed up my role as the golden child has been soiled! First you are selected mascot, and then Kayleb was positioned president! IT’S NOT FAIR!!!” “You know what Randle, you were right,” Quincy said. “You were right when you said, ‘Don't worry when you are not recognized, but strive to be worthy of recognition.’” The HAWK screamed, “How did you know I said that?!” “I heard you say it when I was in a janitor’s closet … you know what, never mind. The point is, you’re always worried about being appreciated, but you’ve done nothing to deserve it. Kissing up to earn great privileges won’t get you anywhere; you have to work at it.” The HAWK ignored Quincy, and nosedived downward.

Chasing the HAWK, Quincy shouted, “What are you doing?!” The HAWK replied, “I’m only going to destroy your school!” “It’s your school too, genius,” Quincy replied. The HAWK said, “I’m not Randle, I’m the HAWK. Once the school is burnt to a crisp, I’ll reconfigure myself back into Randle, and I’ll blame you! Yup, Hawk Run’s going down, except for my permanent record and valid certificate into the ‘Gifted Youth Association of America’ of course!” Having said that, the HAWK zoomed down towards the school.

Looking through the gaping hole in Hawk Run’s roof, the carnival participants saw the HAWK coming and screamed in panic. Flying over to a supply closet, the HAWK grabbed a lighter. Quincy flew in behind the HAWK. “Look,” a second grader shouted, “It’s Quincy Quail!” Quincy heroically swooped down the hall right behind the HAWK. Grabbing his leg, Quincy threw the HAWK behind him. The HAWK was furious, and sped forward throwing a punch that Quincy barely dodged. Quincy was exhausted, and couldn’t keep up. The HAWK sped ahead with the lighter in his hands, zooming towards a herd of students fleeing out the front door.

Inhaling with all his strength, the HAWK blew into the flame with such horrendous breath that the stench projected the flame like gas. The students thought they were doomed, and shouted, “Where’s Quincy?!” Taking in a monstrous breath, the HAWK shouted, “Any last words?!” It blew a massive flame that shot outward towards the helpless onlookers. Just then, Quincy flew in front of the flame shielding the students with Randle’s certificate into the Gifted Youth Association of America. He fell to the floor with the burning certificate in his hands. The HAWK merely stared at the burning certificate, speechless. The entire building went silent. The principal stood up, and simply asked, “Randle, is that you?!” The HAWK’s feathers lost their color, and he stood looking like a deer in headlights. He screamed, “I-AM-HURT!!!” The HAWK fled out the door crying like a coward.

Though he was badly hurt, Quincy bravely stood up. Everyone, including the students, teachers, custodians, and the principal went completely and utterly crazy cheering wildly for their hero, Quincy Quail. Kayleb walked up to Quincy and simply said, “That was the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen! Man, what are you?!” Quincy thought a second, smiled, and responded, “I am, Quincy Quail.”