Chris1stokes's Blog

My commitment to myself and promise to my future (reality) is that i will finish a book (at least one) every month.
This will begin to be difficult and it will be a challenge with work and moving about.
But a challenge none the less.

Chapter One – First Day
Mark awoke to his alarm clock, his eyes focused on his ceiling. His eyes slowly adjusted to the day light filling his room through his drawn curtains. He had almost forgotten where he was. It still felt like he was back home in California. Mark and his family had just moved into their new house in Virginia.
It was Marks first day and last year of High School.

Their move was the result of his father getting a promotion and being transferred to a sister firm. His mother, a born writer was a stay-at-home-mom, had begun her third novel. Mark was an only child and the pride and joy of his parents.

“Mark?” his mother’s voice came through the door.
“I’m up.”
“Breakfast in ten.”
Throwing back the covers, Mark embraced the newness that was invading his life.
-x-x-x-
“Good morning class” the class began to settle “today is the first day of your last year. I will tell you this once and take it as you will. Take very opportunity you get this year to…”
The classroom door opened. The head receptionist entered, followed by Mark.
“Sorry Mrs Patterson. This is Mark, I kept him at the reception to finish off some papers, didn’t mean for him to be late for class.”
“That’s alright Amy. Hello Mark,” Mrs Patterson extended her hand “welcome.”
“Thanks,” Mark retrieved his hand from her iron grip.
“Sit where you can find a seat Mark.”
“Ok.”
Mark scanned the classroom of curious faces and spotted a vacant seat in the centre of the classroom. He headed towards it and sat down.
Mrs Patterson continued her speech.

It didn’t take Mark long to settle into his new school. He was naturally open so meeting people came easily, plus he was an athlete so sports where a must.
Mark kept in contact with his girlfriend who lived in California, his former home. They had been together for three years and both were confident that their relationship would last as they were only apart for a year. Both had applied at the same university, hoping to fill the distance after High School.

Chapter Two – James and Angela Break Up
High School was a cesspool of gossip. No matter what you did, how you tried to hide it or who it involved, the story of your actions always got out. Gossip was the currency of popularity. If you had a story to tell, you would be the centre of attention. As one can imagine, the gossip queens were in fact girls.
For the guys, gossip was not a big issue but stories were passed from ear to ear, mostly concerning the girls that the guys had been with, the next football match, their next training days and occasionally the rough situations between any two guys on the team.
One such story made its way to Marks ears after a practice session one afternoon.
“Right! Good training boys,” the coach in sweatpants, shirt and running shoes, stood in the middle of the locker room. The players all changing out of their football gear, their lockers against the walls surrounding the room. “Next training day is Wednesday. It’ll give you two days rest before our next match on Saturday. Get yourselves cleaned up and get some rest.” With that the coach nodded and left, not before everyone in the locker room shouted in unison “YES COACH!”
Some of the team carried on changing, some had begun to shower while others stood around talking.
“We going to take them out this Saturday. They don’t stand a chance!” James said excitedly. His brown curly hair drenched with sweat
Mark smiled at him, baring his teeth “Heavy tackling today James. You nearly took Tom out cold.” Mark laughed, thinking nothing of it. James only smiled, picked up his towel and headed for the showers.
Mark confused, looked at Zack, another player and asked, “Something I said?”
“Well,” Zack leant in and explained softly, “James and Angela used to date. They broke up maybe, two months before you arrived. The stories are not clear but it seems that James had caught Angela and Tom together at her place one afternoon. James was suppose to be at practice but decided to skip it to spend time with her.” Zack looked around the locker room, no one was listening, “James went into her house and caught them on the sofa. James and Tom got into a fight and it ended up with James and Angela breaking up.”
Mark, a little surprised, could now feel the tension in the locker room when the two guys were in each others presence. They seemed to be, without making it obvious, watching each other.
“There is defiantly some unfinished business there. There would be if I was James anyway.” Zack said.
“I’m surprised that they play together on the same team. There must be some sort of truce.”
Zack shrugged, “maybe. Who knows?”

Chapter Three – Extra Lessons
Mrs Patterson looked at Angela Patiently. The class waited in cringing silence. The seconds dropped by, one after the other. Mrs Patterson’s eyes unblinking, Angela’s darting nervously from her paper to the board, the board to her paper, silence filled the class room.
“I don’t know” Angela confessed, hiding amongst her thin red curls embarrassed “I don’t even remember why I took Algebra!”
“Ok, I’ll run through the formulae on the board. Everyone make sure that you check what you have done with mine and correct yours if yours isn’t right.”
RING!!!
The end of the lesson bell rang. Angela exhaled.
“Ok, everyone,” Mrs Patterson said, quickly turning to face the class before they rushed out of her classroom, “please make sure you have revised through the sheets I have given you. They are there to help you prepare for your up and coming texts. Revising the answers will begin on Tuesday next week. Angela, could you stay behind and see me please.” Angela grimaced and sighed, “You to James.” Angela froze.
Angela had not spoken to James since he caught her and Tom together. It was too awkward. She did not know what to say. To be honest, she didn’t care to talk to him. It was the past.
Mrs Patterson walked towards Angela’s desk, most of the class had left, the rest were throwing books into their bags as quickly as possible, desperately wanting to escape the period “Angela, I want you to take some private lessons with Sam to prepare you for the tests.”
Angela looked confused at Mrs Patterson, “Sam?”
“Yes Sam. Now, I think that if you use up the revision periods you have at school for revising Algebra, you always have the opportunity to come see me if you need to. I would also suggest two afternoons after school, if you do this you should be ready.”
“Sorry Mrs Patterson but, who is Sam?”
Mrs Patterson looked at Angela taken aback. “Sam is the girl who is standing behind you Angela,” she replied.
Angela, shocked, turned around to lay her eyes on this “Sam” she didn’t even know existed. Near the back of the now empty classroom, stood Sam. She wore black jeans, a black shirt, black jacket, black converse, her black hair gelled down to her shoulders, all completed perfectly with black eye liner. Sam looked at Angela unimpressed, her eyes staring into Angela’s, causing a shiver run up her spine.
Angela looked at her stunned, “What about James Mrs Patterson?” she blurted out, turning quickly back to the teachers equally unimpressed expression.
“Why not Sam?” she asked a question, as her answer to Angela’s.
Angela thought quickly, “James and I know each other, we’ve known each other for awhile. Plus his good at Algebra.”
“Fine, whatever!” Sam interrupted, “Mrs Patterson, if she changes her mind you know where I’ll be. I’m sorry but I don’t have time to stand here listening to her reasons why she wouldn’t be seen dead with a person dressed as I” Sam turned and left the classroom.
In those short three minutes, Sam had been introduced into Angela’s life. In those minutes she caused Angela so much unease that she never forgot that in the back of the class sat a Emo/Goth Algebraic genius who was kind enough to offer lessons, but without any regret or sympathy dismissed the offer at her first excuse and with that, went out of Angela’s life as quickly as she had come.
Mrs Patterson watched Sam leave and then turned and fixed her eyes on Angela. Angela looked sheepishly back.
“James.”
“Yes Mrs Patterson?”
Mrs Patterson looked over Angela at James, “Are you ok with revising with Angela?”
James felt his chest tighten, his lungs cringe, his heart shrink. He knew she only suggested revising with him because she felt even more uncomfortable in Sam’s presence. “No problem Miss.” James had accepted what happened and didn’t feel any remorse from it. He was with Hillary anyway, and they were happy.
The teacher’s eyes fixed back onto Angela.
“Ok, now you got what you want Miss Clark. As usual. I want you to take advantage of the revision exercises. They will help you.”
Angela nodded obediently.

Temptation had made its way into Angela’s thoughts. Temptation teased her, mocked her word and ridiculed her moral. It made her want to skip the revision classes and just avoid James altogether but she knew sooner or later she would have to face him. Sooner or later she would have to face his wrath, his hate, his vile and hurtful words. Soon, she would have to admit to hurting him, breaking his heart.
DING DONG!
James answered the door. Angela stood with her brave face on, ready to take all the abuse he had to throw at her.
“Common in,” James said, leaving the door open and Angela on the porch.
Angela stepped in the already familiar house. She had been here many times. She had spent nights here with James when his parents were away. This had been her home away from home. She looked around, not much had changed. The furniture was still the same, a couple new pictures of James and his family on their last holiday hung o the wall, “must have arrived back recently” she thought looking at a fishing box, left by the door.
Angela followed James through the living room, into the dinning area, her books held close to her chest. Papers and books were spread out across the table.
“Have you started any of the revision papers?” James asked Angela.
“Um, no I haven’t. Thought I would wait and you could explain any questions I have from the beginning.”
James shrugged, “Ok.” He sat down, motioning to a chair next to him, “take a seat, we can start with simultaneous equations then…hold on sorry. Have you eaten?”
Angela sitting next to him, stared at him, “um, no. I mean yes. I’m fine.” Angela was still holding her books.
“Ok then, let’s start.”
“Wait,” she slammed her books onto the table.
James looked at Angela, knowing what was coming.
Angela looked at him in disbelief. How could he not be angry with me? She looked down at her hands, exhaled and then back at James, “Are you not angry?”
James eyebrow raised, “about what happened?”
“Yes!”
“About you lying to me?”
“Yes!”
“About you cheating…”
“Yes, Yes, Yes!!!”
James looked at her simply, “No.”
Angela looked as if James had just slapped her. She looked at him, not thinking, to shocked to think anything. Angela looked down at her hands in her lap, regaining her thought pattern. “I thought…”
“You thought that I hated you.”
“Yes.”
James looked at his books calmly, “I did. For awhile I hated the fact we were together, but I let the anger go. I don’t need it. It made me bitter. It made me want your relationship with Tom to go bad. You made me think that I had done something wrong, where I hadn’t. You just didn’t love me the way I loved you.”
Angela looked at James, taking in every word. “The way I used to love you.” James finished.
The words hit Angela harder then imagined. This was not what she thought he would say. She thought he still loved her. She thought Hillary was a ruse, a way of trying to make her jealous, a rebound.
She was wrong, about everything. James did not love her anymore.
“I have to go James.” She stood up quickly and left, ignoring James asking her to stay.

Chapter Four – Zoe Visits
Months passed by quickly, life had become an accustomed routine for Mark and his family, they had settled into their new surroundings.
“So when is Zoe arriving Mark?” Stephanie, his mother asked over dinner one night.
“This Friday. She’ll be here for three days.”
“Any plans?”
“Not really. Just spending time with her, show her around, introduce her to everyone.”
“Don’t let her distract you from you studies Mark, as much as I like her, it IS your last year and it’s important that you study,” added his father.
“Oh stop it Steve!” his mother moaned, slapping Steve playfully on the hand, “you enjoy your time with her, you never see her, make the most of it.”
“Thanks,” replied Mark, a little embarrassed “probably take her to the dance this Saturday.”
“Oh that’s nice!” exclaimed Stephanie “what are you going to wear?”

The week rushed by and Friday abruptly started.
Zoe arrived at the house by taxi in the late morning. Mark had been waiting on the porch, his excitement showing.
When the taxi pulled up to the curb, Mark was down the porch stairs, across the pathway, at the car just as Zoe paid the driver.
Mark opened the passengers door and Zoe exploded out the car, arms around his neck, her lips to his.
“I missed you,” she whispered in his ear.
“I missed you too.”

“This is the cinema and arcade, and my school is just around the corner.”
Zoe took in every word Mark spoke, trying to make up for the months that they had been apart, “Tonight we eating with my parents and tomorrow we are going to the Dance at school.”
Zoe smiled at him, he smiled back.
“Mark?” came a voice from behind them.
Mark looked over his shoulder, “oh hi Hillary.”
Hillary wore a white slim fit shirt, a knee length skirt, black sandals, her short blondish brown hair shoulder length. “This must be Zoe.” She announced extending her hand with a slight curtsy.
“Hi, nice to meet you.” Zoe smiled, shaking Hillarys hand.
“You out on your own Hillary?” Mark asked.
“No, James is buying our cinema tickets. We going to watch a movie. I saw you walk past and thought I would come say hi.”
“You coming to the dance this Saturday?”
“Not sure. We might. James said I should keep my plans open” she whispered excitedly, and leaned in towards Zoe, “He’s always planning things.”
James came out the cinema doors and looked around. He spotted the three and headed towards them, a smile on his face and two tickets in his hand. “Hi Mark, Zoe?”
“Hi James,” Mark replied “yes, this is Zoe.”
“Hi James. Nice to meet you.”
“Sorry to be a downer but we got to go, our movie is about to start.” James said putting his arm around Hillarys shoulders.
“That’s ok. Hope you enjoy the film.”
“They seem nice,” Zoe said as James and Hillary disappeared into the cinema, “Have they been together for long?”
Mark thought for a second, “I think that they first got together when I arrived. So a few months now.”

***

Saturday dawned bright and fresh, Mark and his family were all completing their weekend chores of gardening and cleaning.
Zoe had been banished from any usage of any cleaning equipment in the house and garden so instead she made sandwiches and fresh lemonade for lunch.

Chapter Five – The Dance
Zoe wore black. Her curly brunette hair came down over her right shoulder, her dress, though not tight fitting, complimented her figure perfectly. From behind the neck strap could be seen, naked skin was exposed, front and back, before the dress closed around her hips and over her breasts. The dress continued down to knee level. Red stilettos completed her. Mark, filled with butterflies, thought she looked amazing.
Mark wore his tuxedo, his aftershave was Zoe’s favourite. He gazed at her as she descended the staircase.
As she touched the last step, eyes now level she smiled at him, knowing that he was looking at her with such admiration. His look caused her to bite her bottom lip bashfully.
“You look amazing in that new dress.”
Blushing, Zoe’s heart skipped, he noticed she thought.
She kissed him softly.

The dance kicked off at 7.30pm. The hall had been decorated with balloons and streamers, the music played as students danced and mingled. The dance floor in the centre, tables bordering and grand stands pushed back against the walls of the hall.
“How long are you here for Zoe?” Angela asked. Angela wore a tight fitting red dress and red stilettos. Her curly bronze coloured hair reached her shoulders. They sat alone at a table.
“For three days,” Zoe replied, “wish I could stay longer but studies are a bummer.”
“Tell me about it. I never see Tom. He is either at football practice or we have studies to do.” Angela laughed.
Zoe smiled, “at least you get to see him once every day or so. Mark and I don’t but talk almost every second day.”
“Must be a strain on the relationship?”
Zoë’s smile vanished, “it’s ok. We make it work. We talk to each other and plus we’ve been together for awhile now. I’m sure a bit of distance won’t make much difference.”
Angela took a huge sip of her drink and said “if you say so. I’ve never tried long distance relationships since I’ve seen people I know who end up breaking up because of the distance.”
Zoe felt her heart clench, her hold on her glass tightening slightly but said nothing.
Angela tilted her glass to her lips but stopped and said, “I’m sorry Zoe, just ignore me. I’m sure you can make it work, your right. Just forget I said it” She got up and left the table and an uncomfortable Zoe.

Zoe entered the girls toilets and headed straight for the basin. Leaning forward onto the basin, she looked down into the bowl. Taking a deep breath after a few seconds she looked up at the mirror.
“Who’s she anyway! What does she know?” talking to her reflection. Zoe stopped, looking at the figure in the mirror. Behind her stood another girl in black jeans, black converse and black track suit top. Her hair was dark, gelled down to her shoulders. Black eye liner and black lipstick. White skin. She stood in the corner of the bathroom, staring at Zoe.
“Hi” Zoe said, trying to ease the tension. The Goth made no reply.
Zoe felt the tension increase. She turned and left. The girl’s eyes boring into her back and the door as it closed.

“Are you having a good time?” Mark asked Zoe, as they stepped slowly to the song.
“Yes, I’m having a good time, it’s just.”
“Just what?” Mark asked.
“Angela. She said, never mind. Don’t worry, I’m just over reacting.”
Mark stopped moving, “what did she say?”
Zoe looked at Mark, “she just said it must be hard to keep a long distance relationship. That she knows many people who don’t make it work. Who end up breaking up because of the distance.”
“Hey common. We’ve spoken about this.”
“I know. It’s just.”
“It will be fine. It’s only one year and I will be seeing you again soon. I’m going to be visiting you in the next few weeks. Don’t listen to her. I want to be with you Zoe; I want to make it work. I don’t want to loose you.”
Zoe smiled. Things felt better, Angela was forgotten, it was only Mark occupying her thoughts again. That is all that mattered.

Eyes watched. Captivating every movement, every step. Taking in the mimed words Mark spoke to Zoe as they slowly danced.
Hands clenched tightly, knuckles going white She hissed “Why does he like her! She doesn’t deserve him!”
The figure was concealed in a dark corner. She turned and charged out the exit door leaving the dance hall.

Chapter Six – A Night Out, Just the Two of Us
Saturday 09.00pm

The French Brassiere, a new restaurant in town, had been fully booked every Saturday night since they first opened, only a few months ago.
This was a perfect place to take Hillary. James had booked a table a week in advance but had said nothing to Hillary. This was a surprise. She would enjoy it, he was sure of it.
James picked Hillary up from her house, driving his fathers car, he made his way towards the restaurant.
“Weren’t we suppose to take a right back there towards the school?” Hillary looked confused at James.
James smiled, mischievously. He looked at Hillary and winked, “I have a surprise for you.”
Hillarys eyes brightened with curiosity, “Where are we going?”
“It’s a surprise. I can’t tell you.”
“Oh tell me James.” Her tone dropping, he eyelashes fluttering.
James laughed, “Ok, ok. Remember last month when you mentioned you wanted to go to that new restaurant, The French Brassiere. Well, I booked us a table for…”
Before he could finish, Hillary made a little squeal of delight, and kissed James on the cheek, “Thank you James! Thank you so much.”
James just smiled.

“Good evening Mr Kingson. Your table awaits you and your beautiful date” The host lead James and Hillary to their table. Hillary had butterflies. James always found the smallest ways to make her happy.
They sat across from each other, candle light eliminating their faces, Hillarys hand in James’s.
They enjoyed their meal, spoke softly to each other, the music faintly playing in the background, the butterflies never leaving Hillarys stomach.
“I have an idea.” James announced half way through sharing a chocolate Sunday with Hillary.
“Tell me,” her voice dreamy.
“Why don’t we take a walk home. Its a warm night, we can take our time.”
“Take a stroll home? Sounds like a good idea.”
“We could stop by the Dance if you like. The party must be good by now.”
“Let’s make the decision on our way home.”

James and Hillary made their way slowly down the park path, hand in hand, not saying a word. Evenly spaced lamp posts ran along the path, lighting their way with a goldish glow. The moon light bathed the grass, giving it a greyish tint.
“Thank you James.” Hillary whispered.
James stopped and gently pulled Hillary close. He ran his fingers up her neck and brushed her hair out of her eyes. James leant in and kissed Hillary gently on the lips.
Hillarys butterflies exploded into fireworks.

James and Hillary decided made their way into the dance hall. The hall was full of students. They made their way to the bar and ordered a drink each.
Turning and scanning the dance floor, James spotted Mark and Zoe, raised his glass and smiled, in silent greeting. Hillary looked toward them to and smiled.
The couple made their way onto the dance floor. The music was slow, holding each other they swayed, smiling at each other fondly.
“Aren’t you late?” Marks voice came from behind.
Swaying Hillary around, James looked over at Mark and replied, “Ya, thought we would make a fashionable entrance.”
“That’s an amazing dress Zoe!” Hillary announced, looked Zoe up and down.
“Thanks Hillary. You look good to. Where did you guys go?”
“James took me to the new restaurant in town. It was amazing!” her expression dreamy.
Zoe smiled. Mark was talking to James, “Any idea where the after party is?”
“No idea. Hillary and I are going to be heading home later.”
James looked past Mark toward the back of the hall through the crowd. Angela and Tom were standing together talking closely. Tom had his right hand on her waist, his left playing with a lock of her hair. She looked up at him naughtily, her hands on his arm and chest.
“Thought maybe Zoe and I would go for an hour or two, see a few people, have some fun and then head home. Don’t want to be home to late, Zoe is making breakfast in the morning.” Mark winked at James, smiling wittily.
“Oh am I?” Zoe asked surprised, her sarcasm as thick as Marks.
Hillary laughed. James looked back at Angela across the hall, Tom had disappeared. She stood alone, looking around bored, her head nodding to the music slowly.
“Go see if she is ok,” Hillary said to James. James had told her what had happened the other afternoon.
“You sure?” he asked.
“I’m saying it aren’t I?”
James smiled, “Ok, be right back.”
James made his way through the crowd, towards Angela.
“What’s going on?” Mark asked Hillary.
“Angela was suppose to have extra lessons with James for Algebra, but when she came round for the lesson, she freaked out about James and I being together.”
Mark and Zoe looked at Hillary with a “what?” look. “Exactly what I thought,” Hillary said.

James approached Angela, she noticed him but pretended not to. “Angela.” He said reaching her.
“oh, James.” She said acting surprised, “hi. Where’s Hillary?”
“She’s with Mark and Zoe.” He motioned behind himself, “look, I just wanted to make sure that your alright. You seemed upset last time we spoke at my place.”
“I’m fine. Not worried at all.” She said dismissively, “I won’t be coming around for any lesson either. I will be fine on my own.”
“Oh, ok, have you spoken to…”
“James.” Toms voice sounded close to James’s ear. He turned facing Tom. Tom stood, a drink in each hand. Mark, Zoe and Hillary held their breath from the other side of the hall. Everyone else was unaware of what was going on.
“Tom. Just wanted to see if Angela was ok.”
“She’s fine. You should go.”
James sensed Toms hostility but said nothing. James walked past Tom, Toms leaned slightly towards him as he past and shoved him with his shoulder. James double stepped and turned to Tom, his nostrils flaring. Angela stood silently, not doing anything, eyes scared of appending confrontation.
James, inhaling deeply, turned and walked away from Tom. Tom smirked and turned back to Angela and handed her, her drink.
James, his face a thunderstorm, made his way back to Mark, Zoe and Hillary.
“Are you ok?” Hillary asked concerned. James nodded, breathing deeply.
“What an ass!” Mark said “that was uncalled for.” Zoe nodding.
“It’s fine.” James answered, taking a sip of his drink “I think we should go.” He said looking at Hillary. She nodded taking his hand.
“Don’t let it get to you to much James. He aint worth it.” Zoe said.
“I wont. Just need to calm down. Walking home will help with that.”
“See you later,” Mark said as they turned and made their way through the crowd.

Chapter Seven – Death of Tom
Saturday 10.30pm

Angela laughed mischievously, Toms hand in hers, they went around the corner of the building. The darkness concealed their movements.
Angela, back against the wall, fingers running through Toms hair. Tom, his lips on her neck, right hand on her hip, left on her thigh, her leg around his.
Their breathing becoming deeper, faster.
Neither one of them noticed the figure or the eyes that watched them. The figure stood hidden in the darkness, unmoving, not making a sound, just watching.

“I really enjoyed tonight Mark,” whispered Zoe as they stepped into the night.
The dance had finished and everyone had started to leave gradually.
Mark smiled, stopped and held Zoe close.
A scream broke the moment. Everyone froze, looking in the direction of the sound.
“What was that?” Zoe asked alarmed. Mark didn’t answer.
Holding Zoe’s hand he headed along the path to the corner of the building.
A couple of students followed.
Around the corner, darkness flooded the area. A single spotlight beamed down from atop the wall, down onto the paved path. Lying slumped and motionless was Tom. Kneeling next to him in a fit of tears was Angela.

The four stopped, frozen in horror. Tom’s chest was covered in blood, his hand still clenching his chest. “Call an ambulance!” Mark ordered one of the following students.
Zoe knelt beside Angela, putting a hand on her shoulder trying to comfort her. Angela held onto Tom’s lifeless arm. She looked at Zoe, “she…he killed him.”
“Who killed him?”
Mark knelt down on one knee and felt for a pulse. There was none.
“She just came out of nowhere, her and James,” Angela wept openly, her lipstick was smudged, her mascara scared her cheeks.
“James?” Mark exclaimed.
“I tried to help him, I did. But I couldn’t stop the blood.” Angela looked at Mark almost pleading for him to believe her, “honest I did.” She looked down at her bloody hands, “James and Hillary killed my Tom and I couldn’t help him.” She broke into a wave of tears.
More students had accumulated around, everyone shocked, stood watching Angela over Toms body.
No-one knew what to do.

Angela sat in the Head Masters office, softly crying into her hands.
“I need to ask you some questions Angela,” one of the policeman said carefully, sitting facing her, hunched forward, looking sympathetic.
The Head Master sat at his desk, not making a sound. Another officer at the door, a pen and pad in his hand. The first officer was the only one who spoke, “Your parents are on their way Angela.”
Angela made no response.
They waited. The silence deafening.
Angela slowly looked up, her eyes red, cheeks streamed with tears. “They killed him.”
“Who killed him Angela?” asked the officer.
Angela looked away, her eyes closed, trying to block out reality.
“I need you to tell me what you know so that we can help.”
“James and Hillary,” Angela shot a stony, yet distraught look at the officer, “He didn’t even do anything and they hurt him! They hurt him and made me watch! They took him away from me!”
“Can you tell me what happened? From the beginning.”
Angela’s voice softened, filled with emotion and sorrow she said, “we were outside. Tom was kissing me, we never spend time together with his sports and my studies,” whipping her cheek with the jacket sleeve, “we were talking when they came. They stood there staring at us. James looked angry.”
“They didn’t say anything?”
“Not at first, Tom said hi to James. Asked if they were ok. Then James walked towards us and pushed me away from Tom. Hillary grabbed me from behind and made me watch.”
“What happened next?”
“James pushed Tom against the wall and started asking him questions about me and him.”
“What type of questions?”
“Stupid questions. James was with Hillary and have been for almost three months now. He was acting like, him and I were still together, coz we were, awhile ago, but not for very long. He started saying things like why are you with Angela? Have you tried to kiss Hillary? Do you know what happens to a guy who tries to take another guys girl? It was weird.”
“Did Tom say anything?”
“Yes, he was confused. He didn’t know what James was talking about and tried to make sense of the situation. He said that he had never tried to kiss Hillary. Hillary called him a liar. James got angry and pulled out a knife and put it to Toms throat.”
“What happened next?” asked the officer.
Angela took a deep breath, forcing herself up straight in the chair. Exhaling she slumped forward, her hands over her face. “I don’t know, I mean,” she looked up at the office, bracing herself for what she was about to say, “Tom tried to get away but James stabbed him. I was trying to break free from Hillary but she tripped me and I fell. I looked up from where I lay, stomach down, on the ground and saw James over Toms body. He said something, I couldn’t make it out and then he turned and walked away.”
“What about Hillary? Did she hurt you in anyway or do anything else to Tom?”
“No, she just followed after James. I got up as quickly as I could and got to Tom. He wasn’t talking, he just looked at me. I didn’t know what to do so I tried to put pressure on the wound like they do in the movies. Tom made a sound and I stopped touching him. I didn’t want to hurt him. I didn’t know what to do! I tried to help him I really did.” Angela began to break into a wave of tears.
“Ok I think we should stop. I have the information I need for now. I will need to talk to you again. Your parents should be here any minute, they can take you home and I will visit you tomorrow.” The officer stood up and turned to leave, “we will find them Angela. They won’t get away with this.”
Angela didn’t respond, she was overwhelmed with emotion. The officers left the office.

Chapter Eight – Coming Home to the Police
Saturday Evening – 11.40pm
Hillary and James made their way to her house. They walked through the park towards her street and up towards her house. Hand in hand they reached the house. They both stopped, taken aback by the police car outside the house.
Hillary, alarmed, rushed towards the front door, James right behind her.
Inside, sat two police officers and Hillarys single mother. She had been crying, her face streaked with dried tears. All three looked towards the door as Hillary entered and stopped in the door way, James behind her.
“What’s going on mom?” The nervous words escaped Hillarys lips as she stepped into the house.
“The officers need to talk to you dear,” her voice faulty, “you and James.”

Angela lay in her bed, staring at a picture of her and Tom on her bed side table, her mother could be heard crying faintly and her father talking quietly, trying to calm her.
Angela reached out and ran the tips of her fingers across Toms face, “good bye Tom.”
And with that Angela fell into a deep sleep.

Chapter Nine – Questioning

“We were at the restaurant,” exclaimed James. He and the two policeman sat in a office. He and Hillary had been escorted to the police station in separate cars.

“We left the restaurant round 9.30 or 9.45. I cant tell which. It was around that time.” Replied Hillary. She sat with two other police officers in a separate room.

James “We spent maybe twenty minutes at the Dance and then left. We didn’t want to stay long.”

Hillary “I don’t know anything about what happened. Or what happened for that matter.”

James “Is Tom dead?!”

Hillary “Why would you think it was us?”

James “He pushed me. It was in the hall and everyone saw it. He pushed me and I walked away. That was when Hillary and I left. That was the last time I saw Tom.”

Hillary “I told you already. We left and walked home. Are my parents here?”

“Are you going to tell me what happened?” James asked the police officer, his tone frustrated.
“The weapon was found James.” The officer placed a crimson knife in a plastic bag on the table, “do you recognise it?”
James looked at the knife, his eyes wide, shock on his face “That’s…that’s my dads fishing knife.”
He looked at the police officer fear and confusion on his face. The police officer watched James closely.
“Hillary and I were not there!” James almost shouted, banging on the table.
“You need to calm down James. You need to tell me what you and Hillary did this evening and who you saw. If you weren’t there then you need to stay calm and tell me so we can prove your innocence.”
James, stared at the officer, and then at the table, “we weren’t there.”

“Hillary look at me,” the police officer handed her a box of tissues. Hillary accepted the box with a trembling hand. “We are just trying to establish what happened tonight Hillary, that’s all.”
Hillary whimpered.”
“We spoke to the restaurant manager and host. They say you left the restaurant round about 9.45pm this evening. You and James got to your house at 11.40. Where were you and James between 9.45 and 11.40?”
Hillary thought, sniffed and whipped her nose with a tissue. “We walked to the school. We met up with Mark and Zoe there. We didn’t stay long though. We then left and walk home. Its not close to the school, it took us awhile as we were talking and taking our time.”
“So you were at the school.” Repeated the officer.
“Yes. We left and walked through the football field. The lights were on and its peaceful.”
“Did you see Angela or Tom when you were at the Dance?”
Hillary hesitated, “yes”

“What happened when you were at the Dance with you and Tom?” the officer asked James.
James was looking at the table, misery on his face, “I went to go talk to Angela. To see if she was alright.”
“What do you mean?”
James looked the officer in the eyes, “the last time Angela and I spoke was two days ago. She was suppose to be having extra Algebra lessons with me but it never happened. She came for the first lesson and she started asking me about how I felt about her and Tom being together.”
The office looked confused, “why would she ask that?”
“Angela and I used to be a couple. I went to go see her one afternoon and caught her and Tom together.”
The offices eye brows raised, now understanding “and she wanted to know if you were angry?”
“Yes.”
“Where you?”
“No, yes…at the time yes. I’ve been with Hillary for almost five months now. I accepted what happened and moved on.”
The office nodded, a thoughtful look in his eyes.
“I told Angela that it didn’t bother me and she left my house upset. I didn’t do anything to Tom. I went to go ask if she was ok, and he approached me. I didn’t even see him. He came towards me from behind.” James explained, “he told me to go and so I did. I tried to pass him but he nudged me with his shoulder. I ignored him and left with Hillary.”
“So there was a confrontation?”
“No. I left and ignored him.” James said slowly, knowing what the officer was implyiing “we left and went straight to Hillary’s house where you picked us up. We didn’t see Tom after that.”
“Ok. So how did your dad’s knife get to the school?”
“I don’t know.” Pleaded James, his hands out open towards the officer.

“Can we take them home?” James’s mother asked the officer. Her husband behind her, his hands on her shoulders, her arms crossed. Hillary’s mother standing next to her, a nervous wreck.
The officer replied, “I’m sorry. But the only thing that you can do for your children is bring them a change of clothes. This is a serious matter. We need to keep them here. They have been said to have been involved in a murder, a serious offense.”
James’s mother turned and burst into tears, her head against her husbands chest. Hillary’s mother inhaled deeply and looked away. She pulled a pack of cigarettes out her bag and started to light one, “I’m sorry madam but…”
Hillarys mother gave the officer a threatening look that froze him. She turned at walked away still lighting the cigarette.

Chapter Ten – Zoe Leaves, Angela Calls
Sunday 09.00am

The following day Zoe and Mark arrived at the coach station around 9am. They had spent most of the night before at the police station, giving in their report of what they saw. They got back home round 3.40am and went straight to bed. Disconnecting from the world and reality.
Mark held Zoe’s head against his chest, she was sleepy and still traumatised by the incident the night before.
“I wish I didn’t have to go.” She said softly
“I’ll come and see you in a weeks time, I promise.”
She looked up, Mark kissed her softly.

Leaving the coach station alone, Mark made his way to his Dad’s car. His dad inside. Mark pulls out his mobile to a message alert.
Message from Zoe
See you soon. Love you xxx

Mark smiles and replies with a similar message.

Message Sent. Voice Mail.
Mark dials his voicemail and listens as he gets in the front passengers seat. His Dad pulls out of the parking.

Hi Mark. It’s Angela. I’m sorry to disturb you. I just got back from the police station. I was wondering if you could come around. I hope this doesn’t sound weird. The whole night is a hazy memory to me, talking to a friend might make things clear and might make things seem more…I don’t know, real?
I need a friend and you were a friend of Toms. Let me know please. Bye

Create Message
On My Way
Send
Message Sent

“Could you drop me off close to the school Dad? I’m going to go see Angela.”
“Ok,” replied his Dad, mentally changing his route.

DING DONG!!
Mark waited.
DING DONG!!
The front door opened, Angela stood in the entrance, bed hair, red eyes and a morbid look in her eyes.
“Thanks for coming Mark.” Angela said, embracing him “I didn’t know who else to call.”
“That’s ok.”
She looked up at him, “lets go upstairs, I have a few things of Tom’s I want to show you.”
They made their way up the stairs, their socked feet muffled by the thick carpet, the house a tomb “Where are your folks?”
They took my brother to football practice. My mom wanted to stay with me but I refused. I wanted to be left alone. Just until now. Until I started going through Tom’s stuff.”
“Understandable.” Mark didn’t know what else to say.
“My mom did insist but agreed when I said that you were coming around,” she smiled over her shoulder at Mark.
He returned the gesture.

“Ok. I know we have gone through this already Hillary but we just need to run over a few points of your whereabouts last night after you and James left the Dance.”
Hillary, in a fresh clothing, eaten but hardly rested sat looking at the officer, speechless.
“Ok. I need you to tell me where you went after the Dance.”
“We walked through the football field and made out way home.”
“Ok, did you come across anyone along the way?”
“No.”
“So no one saw you?”
“No.”
There was a knock at on the office door. “Come.”
Another officer entered and closed the door. She handed a piece of paper to the questioning officer. He looked at the paper, his expression taken aback, surprised. “Ill be there now.”
“What’s going on?” Hillary asked, concerned.
“I’ll be back in a few minutes Hillary.”
The officers left the room, leaving Hillary alone. “Where is she?” he asked
“This way sir.”
The officers went toward the reception desk. Standing in one corner, alone, looking nervous was a girl dressing in all black.
The officer approached, “Um, Sam?”
“Yes, that’s me officer.”
“I received a message saying that you have information concerning the incident last night at the school?”
“Yes I do officer.”
The officer tried to smile, “ok, come with me.”

Angela’s bed was covered in articles of men’s clothing and pictures of her and Tom. A diary sat on her pillow at the head of the bed.
“Is this all Toms stuff?”
“Yes, I don’t want it anymore. I need to get rid of it all.” she said, disgust in her voice.
Taken aback, mark said “the two of you were together for awhile. These are all memories. Aren’t they?”
“I know what you mean, but I don’t see any of this stuff bringing him back. It’s just making me think of when he was lying there.”
Mark picked up a picture and looked at it. The picture was of Mark and Tom holding up a football trophy. Both had victorious smiles.

“Ok, so what information do you have for me Sam?”
Sam was not wearing any makeup, her hair wasn’t gelled down, but instead was tied back. Her complexion was clean and determined.
“I saw what happened.”
“You saw Tom get attacked?”
“Yes.”
“OK, I want you to start at the beginning.”
Sam inhaled deeply, and then began. “I was in the girls toilet when I heard Angela come in. She didn’t know that I was there. I was in one of the cubicles. I heard her come in and I peered out the ajar door. She was rummaging through her bag. She left not long after and I came out. She seemed angry. I don’t know about what. She was muttering to herself. I was about to leave when Zoe came in.”
“Mark’s girlfriend?”
“Yes, she came in, looking upset. She saw me and left straight away. I felt uncomfortable and went outside. I had already seen Tom try pick a fight with James in the Hall, and Zoe seemed to be angry, I figured it was with Angela.”
“Why do you think that?”
“I over heard them talking about Zoe and Mark’s relationship being difficult. Angela was probing a delicate subject.”
“Ok, carry on.”
“Anyway. I was going to leave, I went outside. Turned the corner and lit a cigarette. I was about to go when Angela and Tom came around the corner, kissing and sucking at each others faces.”
The office’s eyes narrowed, “they were kissing?”
“Yes. I stepped into the darkness. I didn’t want them to see me. They stopped kissing and Angela asked Tom if he loved her. He didn’t reply straight away, he hesitated and said that he wasn’t sure if their relationship was ready for that sort of ‘outward expressions’, is the way he put it.”
“Ok, what happened then?”
“Angela, went quiet. Tom sensed she was upset and tried to tell her he cared for her. She said it was fine and kissed him. They turned, Tom against the wall now. Angela still kissing Tom, reached into her bag and slipped out a knife.”

“You and Tom were close. Don’t make any quick decisions about what you going to do with his stuff. You might want it in the future.”
Mark was still going through the pictures.
Angela standing behind him, circled the room, her eyes on him. “I know what I want Mark. I’ve always known what I want. It was just a matter of time, I just had to wait.”
“Did you sleep much last night?” Mark asked, not aware of her movements.
“A little.” She picked up a trophy off of her desk and slowly walked towards Mark’s exposed back.
“You need to look after yourself, its important.” Mark said slowly turning towards her.
Mark went down with the first blow to the head.
Angela standing over him, trophy in hand. Smiled down at him. “We will be together now Mark, just you and I.”

“Wait, stop. You said you saw Angela stab Tom in the chest?”
“Yes. She stabbed him. He didn’t see it coming. He slumped to the floor. Angela pulled out the knife and threw it off the path. She knelt down toward him and said that he didn’t love her and didn’t deserve her.”
The officer thought for a second, “Ok, wait here. Write your report on this paper and sign it. Make sure you get every detail. I’ll be back in a few minutes.” With that the officer left the room and Sam.
He made his way to his office that he shared with another officer. He rushed in and rummaged through the papers on his desk.
“Where is it?!”
“Need a hand sir?”
“Yes, I need the contact details of the school boy murder, the girlfriend of the boy who died…Found it!”
The officer dialled in the house number.

The phone rang. Angela, at the foot of the bed, ignored it. She had taken Marks clothes off and her own. She had tied Mark to the bed, lying on his back. “Soon you and I will be together Mark, forever.”
Mark’s eyes rolled, his eyes opened. His vision blurry, wincing, he whispered, “Angela?”
“Yes mark. I’m here.”
Mark lifted his head and looked around the room. Stunned, he made out the surroundings. “What are you doing?!” he almost shouted, seeing Angela naked, and himself. Pulling on the handcuffs.
“Those were Toms. He liked it kinky.” Angela smiled mischievously.
Mark stared at Angela. “Why are you doing this?”
Angela made her way to her table and picked up a kitchen knife. “I want us to be together Mark.”
Seeing the knife, mark struggled more fiercely, still unsuccessful.
“I don’t want to be with you. Let me go!”
Angela looked at Mark, “You know how to love me Mark. I’ve seen it.”
“What are you taking about?! I don’t love you!”
“You don’t understand me. I don’t care if you do or don’t. It’s the fact that you know how.”
Mark stared in disbelief at her.
“I’ve seen how you are with Zoe. You love her, and I know that you can do the same for me.”
“You don’t get it. I don’t and won’t love you.”
“I just want to feel what it is like to be with someone who can love me. Is that to much to ask?”
“When you do things like this, yes!”
“Don’t you see, I want us to share everything with each other and then we will be ready.”
Mark froze, “Did you kill Tom?”
Angela avoided his stare, “He didn’t know what I needed. He couldn’t work for what we had, not like you do for Zoe.”
It made sense to mark now, “You think that because I try make our relationship work, me and Zoe, that I know how to make a relationship work for you? Then I know how to make you happy?”
Angela smiled, “See? You understand me already.”
“You are crazy!”
Angela lost her smile.
“Are you going to try hurt Zoe?”
“Oh don’t be silly,” she chided, “I don’t have anything against Zoe, plus she isn’t here anyway. You helped me with that by taking her to the coach station this morning.”
“What about James and Hillary? You cant leave them in the situation they’re in!”
“The truth will come out, sooner or later. By then though, we both will be gone.”
“Gone where?” Mark asked.
Angela walked slowly around the bed toward Mark. Lifting one knee and climbing onto the bed, kneeling now next to Mark, she looked down at him. One hand empty running across Marks chest up, the other hand holding the knife.
Her hand caressed his cheek, “She doesn’t deserve you Mark.”
Mark ignored her words, he tried pushing her hand away with his head. “Get away from me!”
She smiled, he hand running slowly down his chest, stomach, lower. Mark closed his eyes, grimacing.
“You might not love me, but we will be together in a few minutes Mark. Together forever.”
“Your crazy,” he spat, eyes ablaze.
Angela inhaled slowly, “now that’s just hurtful Mark.” She raised the knife up, with both hands.
“Stop! Stop it Angela!” Mark cried.
The phone still rang.
Angela closed her eyes, “together Mark, forever.” The blade dropped.
Mark clenched as the blade went into his chest, inhaling sharply. His chin on his chest. He exhaled and fell back, his head on the pillow. His body convulsed, trying to break free one last time. Angela looked down at him, Mark starting to cough up blood droplets. She ran her hand over a droplet, smudging it across his cheek. She look at the palm of her hand, blood smudged across it. She smudged it slowly across her cheek and then looked back down at Mark. He lay trying to breath looking at Angela, his expression filled with hate and anger. He grimaced and tried to inhale one last time, his body convulsing less, and went still. His body relaxed and went limp.
He was dead.
Angela closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, smiling to herself, tears running down her face. She removed the knife from Mark’s chest and turning her free hand up she placed the blade on her wrist. Slicing slowly she, slit open her wrist. Her face grimacing at the pain. She did the same on the other hand.
Holding her hands out over Marks dead body, her blood began to fall across his chest and stomach. She started to spread the blood on his chest across his abdomen. “We are one now Mark. Same blood”
She lay down, her head becoming light. Her arm over marks body, she slowly slipped into unconsciousness and bleed out.

Knock Knock Knock.
The Police officers knocked on the door.
No reply.
Knock Knock Knock.
Still no reply.
One of the offices dialled his mobile. “Hello, Mrs Ferns? This is officer Williams from the County Police Department. We have had some information brought to our attention and need to talk to your daughter Angela.”
Officer Williams paused, listening. “She’s at your house? Er, Mrs ferns, I don’t want to worry you but we are at your house and there is no reply. We have also tried calling your house phone. Still no reply.”
Pause again, he nodded. “Yes…yes…ok. We will wait.”
The Officers waited a few minutes, until Angel’s mother arrived back at the house.
“She must be asleep,” Mrs Ferns said, trying to smile.
“Hopefully.”
“What is the information that you have received?” Mrs Ferns unlocked the door and invited the Officers in.
“I can’t say anything until we get Angela back to the Police Departments Office Madam.”
Mrs Ferns looked a bit worried at his reply, “Is Angela in trouble?”
“Mrs Ferns. May we search your house for Angela please? The quicker we get to talk to her, the quicker you get filled in on the information.”
She nodded dumbly, “Of course, go ahead.”
Officer Williams made his way upstairs with Mrs Ferns, while the other Officer searched the lower floor. The house was quiet. Officer Williams and Mrs Ferns reached the top of the stairs, the first door was Angela’s room. Angela’s mother knocked on the closed door.
“Sweetie? Are you in there?”
No response.
Frowning, Mrs Ferns repeated, “Honey? I’m coming in.”
Mrs Ferns opened the door and stepped inside and froze in shock. Her hands went straight to her mouth, her face white. Offices Wilson also white automatically called in the Department on his shoulder radio, while trying to guide Mrs Ferns out the room with his free hand.
Mrs Ferns started to cry openly and collapsed to the passage way floor outside the bedroom, Officer Wilson kneeling next to her, still talking on his radio, tried to hold her with one arm.
The other Officer rushed up the stairs, alerted by the cries of Mrs Ferns. He looked at the two on the floor and at the open door. He entered the room.
The bodies of Angela Fern and Mark Hair lay naked together. Angela holding Mark, her head on his bloody chest. Mark cuffed to the bed. The knife lay on the floor. The bed was soaked with their blood. The coroner later said that they had been dead for an hour before being found.

The whole school including friends from California attended Mark’s funeral. The day was sunny, the birds were out but the atmosphere was stygian and morbid. Zoe and Mark’s Mother cried the whole way through the service. His father, a stone figure stood next to Stephanie, his face grim.
At the back of the congregation, near a tree, hidden stood Sam. She wore blue jeans, her black converse, and a black t-shirt. Her hair had been tied back, no makeup. She stood and waited until the service had finished before coming out of her hiding place.
She knelt by the tombstone while the grave digger finished filling in the whole. A tear ran down her cheek. “Goodbye Mark.” She left a red rose amongst the hundreds that were already there.
She stood and looked at the grave digger, he had stopped and watched her. She wiped her eyes and turned to leave.
Angela’s funeral was not advertised to the school or public. Her parents and Priest were the only attendees.

I can hear the rumbling growl,
And the shrieking cries of the wheel.
The thunderous boom it makes,
This monster made of steel.

I can hear it laugh,
It’s demented eye wide.
I stand still as it opens,
Then I climb inside.

Passengers eaten willingly,
We want to be devoured.
This whirling serpent spins,
Electricity keeping it powered.

A trance that controls me,
As I sit and wait.
I can’t help think of it,
For it is our fate.

But with a smile I wait and see,
It’s shinning light coming, winking at me,
Coming to take me, and make me free,
Away from this anarchy and misery.

by Chris Stokes

(England)