“Look Mr Williams all we are saying is that we suspect him” The Headmaster sat across a table from Kevin and Officer Williams. He was flanked on either side by the deputy headmistress and the school's security officer. Todd had been found bloody, bruised and beaten outside the community centre that morning. He had spent the night shattered in the cold.

“We know Todd was giving you a hard time and wanted to fight you. We need to know what happened Kevin” the Headmasters eyes pierced Kevin’s soul as he spoke. Officer Williams furious slammed his fist. “Oh so you knew he was being downright abused by this boy and you did nothing?! His rich daddy fill all your pockets? You are all a joke.”

He grabbed Kevin’s hand and spread his fingers. “Look. that look like the hand of someone who did that? You an expert? You seen what people’s hands get like? Cus I have.” the Officer let go of Kevin's hand as he continued to scold the faculty. “My boy was a victim of this trust fund asshole and you are accusing him of what? Doing that to him?”

“Mr Williams, Todd Roberts is in the ICU in a critical condition right now. He was out all night. He had hypothermia and severe internal bleeding. He could die!” The Headmaster's words sunk deep into Kevin's mind. He did not realise the extent to which he had hurt Todd. She had not held back when she dealt out her own form of twisted justice. Part of him smiled at the pain he had caused.

“Would that be so bad?” Kevin's true feelings slipped from his lips and brought silence to the room. “What did you say?” the security officer leaned forward. “I said. Would it be so bad if he died? He's tormented me and everyone else at this shithole for years. Even you guys. You’re all terrified of his father.” the voice began to chuckle deeply as Kevin spoke. Officer Williams looked to him in surprise and disgust.

The Officer snapped himself out of his shock and looked to The security officer. “Look. Boy like Todd had a lot of enemies as Junior so eloquently put it. If you aint got no proof he was there and did that to him. You gotta back off him.” the Headmaster shuffled uncomfortably in his chair. Looking to his peers for support.

“Kevin. We know you have had a less than normal upbringing with your adop…..” Officer Williams interjected “Not a damn word more. That's got nothing to do with this.” Kevin smiled with malice at the defence for him from the Officer. “Ooooo we got em good we’re outta here” the voice exclaimed gleefully. The faculty whispered amongst themselves.

“So based on the lack of evidence and the conversation we have had here we will speak no more of this.” the voice cheered and kevin along with it internally. “But” an ice cold wind ran down his spine. “Due to the things we have heard here and the treatment you suffered from Mr Roberts we are mandating that you attend the school counsellor three times a week.” the voice growled at the prospect of having to do this.

If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

“That's fair.” Agreed Officer Williams. Kevin had never met the Councillor in the time that he had been at the school. He had never spoken to a kid who had. They all kept very quiet about their meetings. They probably didn't want to discuss the private matters divulged behind closed doors. Kevin smiled to himself.

In that moment Kevin was purged of all guilt. He was in the clear. He had bested Todd completely and better yet, he liked it. As they walked down the hall Kevin smiled to himself as Officer Williams straightened his uniform. Alongside them in the reflection of the window the young girl skipped gleefully laughing and smiling as she did.

“Boy what you said in there was outta pocket.” The Officer slammed shut the door of his cruiser. “I get that Todd treated you like shit but wishing death on him? That aint like you Junior.” his tone was more out of concern than scolding. “I'm sorry. I just was kinda relieved that I wouldn't have to put up with him for a little while. Does that make me bad?”

Kevin's question was sincere. Though his thoughts leaned towards hating Todd, part of him couldn't help holding on to a shred of sorrow for what the voice had done. “Hey I'm gonna bet the house on the fact that you are not the only one feeling that right now. Just can't be saying it out loud.” the officer sighed as he turned over the ancient fords engine. “Just go to the councillor ok? I'm sure they can help”

The section of the school that held the councillors office was all but abandoned. The old hallway had been allowed to deteriorate as the only use for rooms were as storage for equipment and the janitor's supplies. As Kevin walked down the hall one of the side doors opened and the rough shambling frame of the school's wrinkled old janitor emerged. His large loop of keys dangling from his belt loop.

“Hey ain't you that Williams boy?” the old man squinted through his cataract ridden eyes to see the vaguely human shaped blur that was Kevin. “Uh yes sir. That's me” Kevin replied, surprised that he had been spoken to. “Hey i know they say you didn't but if you did. I've wanted to pop that boy with my mop handle one too many times. Always messing up my cleaning.” the old man smiled with what teeth he had left.

“Anywho, I suppose you’re lookin for the counsellor's office. Down there at the end of the hall on the right. Can't miss it. Even with my eyes” the old man chuckled to himself as he leaned on his cleaning cart and began to walk away. A few steps more and Kevin came to a door that was strangely well maintained in this crumbling hallway.

It was a solid oak door unlike any other in the entire school. This was far too expensive and fancy of a door for this place. It had a classic brass door knob and even a knocker. Kevin reached up his hand to swing the heavy brass knocker but before he could lay a hand on it the door's latch released and swung inward.

It revealed a room adorned with lush deep red carpet and plush black furniture. The classic black leather psychiatrists bed was positioned in the corner to the right of the door. The walls were adorned with large book cases rammed full with tomes on every subject that would concern one dealing with the minds of teens.

In the centre of the room facing the door was a large mahogany desk sat covered in all sorts of nick knacks and stationary. A newton's cradle sat swinging from side to side carelessly. A large black chair sat with its back facing towards Kevin as he stepped into the room and the door creaked slowly closed behind him.

Newton's cradle suddenly came to a dead stop. The door made a heavy thud as it latched behind him. The voice began to laugh to herself as the chair began to slowly rotate around. It revealed an all too familiar man. Grey suit trousers, pressed white shirt with the sleeves rolled up, suspenders over his shoulders, black sunglasses and swept back silver hair.

“Nice of you to come on by young Kevin. I heard you still got a mighty magnificent swing.”