Endangered

“Endangered species don’t matter. There is obviously a reason why they are endangered. They are too dumb to figure out how to survive in this new, thriving world.” Tyler leaned back in his chair and stared around at those sitting around him as if we were ready and waiting to contradict him. I think we were all too dumbfounded at his thinking to know what to say. 

I knew if I waited too long, sat too long, I would say too many things I couldn’t take back. I liked Tyler – most of the time – but he was ignorant. Every species he didn’t believe important, was no good for him. As long as he didn’t see someone or something as beneficial, he couldn’t care less. As I felt the words of rebuke come to my lips, I stood up and strode out of the classroom. If I couldn’t (or was it wouldn’t) say anything to Tyler, the least I could do was slam the classroom door. I could make a point, one way or another. 

The breaking of the window surprised everyone. I turned suddenly, thinking it was maybe the small window residing in the classroom door, but much to my surprise, the window was intact. I started to run because I knew exactly what breaking glass meant. He was back. And every single life in the school was in danger. Tyler would be taken first. It was the price of being ignorant.