[ WP ] `` For our safety as well as their own , you must never let these creatures form their own society , no matter how much they plead . ''

`` So, Steve,'' Margarey clapped her hands together, ruffling the table linen like fabric around the cuffs of her church gown sleeves. `` Since this is your first day with the kids there are just a few- suggestions, that we like to make. Obviously, we do n't talk about anything adult with them, we are n't here to give the talk or discuss the reefer, if it comes up tell them how sinful it is and immediately inform the parents. Half of the parents only drag their kids here to keep them in line anyways. Let's see,'' she lowered her still clapped hands and leaned in. 
 
 Steve had been teaching for years, these kids were nothing new. It was a little extra change in his pocket and after Virginia left him, it was n't like he did n't have the time. She swore he was n't religious enough, this ought to showcase how wrong she was. `` I think I can handle a few kids, I teach for a living and nothing compares to the first day of school. This certainly wo n't.'' Margaery shrugged. 
 
 `` Well, just no adult talking, no handing out too many sugary snacks and for our safety as well as their own, you must never let these... creatures form their own society, no matter how much they plead. That's how the last church burned to the ground after all.'' Margaery wagged a finger at Steve. He was n't afraid of her, not physically, but he made sure to take down a mental note of her rules; he'd never heard of a group of kids taking power to that extreme. 
 
 Steve pushed his tie straight and walked off towards the Sunday school room, grabbing a bible from the church's library as he went. The room had a giant wooden relief of a whale whose mouth surrounded the couch. Luckily it was n't painted realistically, that was probably more terrifying to the children than the responsibility of forming a society. Steve shook off the thought and turned to the passage the sermon had been over. He had to reference the handout from the service since he'd been running late and barely caught the end of it. 
 
 Bells tolled below him. The kids would be here any minute, Steve could hear the stampeding crowd hustle down the hallway. The first duo pushed through the door like conjoined twins escaping the womb for the first time. `` Hello,'' he greeted them. They returned the favor, plopping down on the first part of the couch. Seven more kids arrived, each varying in the stereotype they fell into: the gothic girl who just wanted to please her mother with this, the rich boy who wanted to justify his sins on the football field, the musician who wanted new material- they fit perfectly in Steve's ideas of clicks. They'd never join up for power, not that kids even had that thought. 
 
 `` Well, is this everyone?'' Some of them nodded,'' great we'll begin with what we heard in the sermon today about sharing-'' a hand flew up from the first arrivals. 
 
 `` Can we talk about something....it's kind of related.'' 
 
 `` Possibly... give me more specifics,'' Steve said, shutting the Bible on his finger as if it were a bookmark. 
 
 `` I read this article about starving nations in Africa which we give weapons too. Why would n't we also give them food? It's probably in our best interest, right?'' the boy tucked his hands into his hoodie pouch and leaned back against his brother. 
 
 `` Well, there are many considerations and just plain people involved in that. I'm sure we send them some food...'' Steve opened the book again, but was quickly interrupted by another member of the youth. 
 
 `` It's because sharing is n't as important when you already have the power. Why would you sacrifice some of your power just to help someone else? There's no positive outcome, none guaranteed,'' this young lady was wearing a field hockey jersey and had her hair back in a ponytail from a morning run he was n't quite cleaned up enough for. 
 
 `` Can we do a demonstration Mr...'' 
 
 `` Steve, just Mr.Steve is fine. What kind of demonstration?'' Steve asked, setting the bible down. If his classes engaged him like this during the school year he would n't hate his job every Tuesday- this was what teaching is about. Reaching the kids and seeing what they can teach you. 
 
 `` Well, let's use the goldfish, and we'll split into three teams. Team one will be the wealthy nation, they can have the whole box of goldfish.'' 
 
 `` The classic classes course- very nice. Okay, second world gets a full bowl and third world gets two goldfish per person- and they need at least five to survive the entire session,'' Steve summarized. He grabbed the goldfish and the bowl and began to fill it up. He pushed the bowl to the middle of the couch, shook out two for the kids in the bean chairs and passed along the box. 
 
 `` Thank you Mr.Steve- oh, now everyone appoint an ambassador to petition the other colonies,'' the other brother spoke this time. Steve, now catching on to what was happening was n't sure how he'd stop this train Margaery had warned him about. 
 
 `` No, no ambassadors. I was told, quite forcefully, not to let you all form a society and that's what you're doing. You may eat the goldfish but, we're going back to the passage for the week. Nice try,'' Steve picked up the bible right when the youngest boy in the group started to cough. 
 
 ``'cough' water,'' he coughed again, doubling over. Steve leaped over his seat and made for the water fountain. There was a cup just to the left of the fountain and he filled two, rushing back to the young man. It was too late, they'd already begun trading goldfish and had latched the door shut. They'd started their society. The boy who'd asked the first question pulled out his lighter- Steve would never get Virginia back at this rate, he'd have to find yet another church to teach at.
