It was just at that moment that lunchlady Enid Parkes arrived, followed by school nurse Dawn Carrington, Coach Felicia Barry, Coach Mark Burlington, and Burlington's substitute P.E. teacher Mr. Campbell (who would likely take over Burlington's position full time if the rumors of Burlington's transfer or dismissal proved to be true).
The Coaches rushed toward the cafeteria while Enid Parkes noticed Jon and the injured Athena leaning against the hall wall near the restroom. "Over here!" Enid said to the nurse.
Nurse Dawn Carrington rushed over to Jon and Athena. "What happened?" she asked.
"She got beat up in the cafeteria." Jon said. "Nadine's religious friend Paul went crazy and attacked her."
"He got changed into a crazy person?" Enid asked.
"Not exactly." Jon said. "It happened before he got changed."
The worst part of all was that Paul had done so not influenced by any of the magical transformations that were occurring. Instead, his actions were motivated by fear and hatred of magic, and his falsely believing that Athena was the cause of the transformations. But now was not the time to talk about that. It was more important to get Athena the help she needed.
Nurse Carrington seemed to agree. "It doesn't matter. What matters is Athena. Athena, where are you hurting?"
"My stomach... my ribs. He kept kicking me until Jon stopped him." Athena groaned.
"We need to get you checked out." Nurse Carrington said.
"I think it should be elsewhere." Jon said. "We've got four people in there changing everyone they can get their hands on." Jon pointed to the cafeteria, and continued. "The nurse's office only has one exit. I don't want to end up trapped there."
"Fine. Help me help her up, and I'll get her to the car. We'll drive her to a clinic, or a hospital." Nurse Carrington replied.
Jon and Nurse Carrington, with assistance from Enid Parkes, lifted Athena to her feet. Jon turned back toward the P.E. teachers, who were at the door to the cafeteria.
"I think we'd better go now." Jon said. If any of the four 'changers' (Nadine - Goth, Sarah - Ghetto, Zoe - Western/cowboy/cowgirl, or Karyn - Bimbo) were to leave the cafeteria, they could find more people to change. And he didn't want to be there when it happened.
Meanwhile, the three P.E. teachers were having an argument. "I think we should lock the doors." Mr. Campbell was saying.
"But there are still people in there, even if they've already been changed." Coach Felicia Barry said. "We don't know what'll happen to them now. They need our help."
"Fine!" Coach Mark Burlington said. "I'll just go in there and show those freaks who's boss!" With that, he charged into the cafeteria.
Coach Barry and Mr. Campbell exchanged glances. They both knew that Burlington's low tolerance for anything other than what he considered 'normal' behavior, in addition to his toxic masculinity, had earned him plenty of complaints from students and faculty alike, as well as parents. They knew nothing good could come from his charging in to a situation where four people had the power to change others with just a touch.
They cautiously stood at the door as their hotheaded colleague charged in.
