"I hope you understand our little arrangement here, boy"

"Yes, sir."

"This is what happens to disobedient, troublemaking children. "

"Yes sir."

"Be happy that I don't do this to your other little friends. Just you."

"Yes, sir…."

"You do understand why I do this, right?"

"Not really-" A loud smack echoed through the office, the force of the hit knocking the boy to the floor. Before he could pick himself up, the older man picked him up and sat him on the desk.

"Now I've told you've this a thousand times, but children don't ever listen, do you?" The older man stood up from his seat and walked around his office, leaving the nearly nude boy to sit on his desk. "This is how children get punished when they've be particularly bad. It didn't use to always be this way," He explained as he picked up the scattered clothes around the room. "But for us to keep punishing children, we have to enjoy it. Now do see?"

"Yes, sir….."

"Good." He sat back in his leather seat and sat the young boy's clothes on his desk. Taking his white t-shirt, he put it on the child, relishing in the fear that he established in his. "I don't see why you're crying, we've been doing this since you were in the third grade. You should be used to this."

"It hurts, Principal Prickley…."

"I know it does, but you've brought this on yourself. Playing your pranks on the teachers and me. It's why you're here in the first place. Got it?"

"Yes sir….."

"Now," The older man let the younger stand on his own feet before standing up himself. He reached down next to his chair and picked up the boy red cap then toyed with it in his hands. "Remember to smile when you leave. You don't want those friends of yours to find out about this. What will happen if they do?"

"They'll get punished the same way….."

"That's right." He walked backed over to the traumatized child in front of his and gently placed the hat on his head in its normal fashion. He smirked at the sight of tears running down his face. "Don't do that," He said as he wiped away the tears on the child's freckled cheeks. "Don't." The boy sobbed and did his best to compose himself in front of the older man.

"Can I go now, Principal Prickley?"

"Yes, you can leave. And remember what will happen if you tell anyone about this."

"Yes sir."