by C. L. Taylor
‘No.’
He raises his dark eyebrows.
‘I … I saw him in the canteen if that’s what you mean. But we … we didn’t talk to each other. It wasn’t allowed.’
‘Would the CCTV footage corroborate that?’ Mrs H. says. ‘If we checked it.’
‘Yes, it would!’ I stand up and grip the edge of the desk. It scrapes across the wooden floor and Mrs H. and Dr Rothwell both put out their hands to stop it from hitting them in the stomachs.
‘Drew. Sit down.’ Kyle reaches an arm in front of me. What does he think I’m going to do – crawl over the desk and attack them?
‘Don’t do that.’ I swat at his arm but it’s like pushing against a wall. ‘Please.’ I appeal to Dr Rothwell whose expressionless face is preferable to Mrs H.’s narrow-lipped irritation. ‘Just tell me what’s going on. I’m sorry I went up the stairs instead of into the dorm, OK, but you need to tell where my brother and Mouse are.’
‘We don’t need to do anything, Drew,’ he says, calmly. ‘You don’t get to come into my school and bark orders at me. You don’t get to decide what information we choose to share with you. You don’t get to display anger and get away with it.’
‘I’m not, I’m just …’ Tears prick at my eyes as I sink back into my seat. I’m so angry. I’ve never felt so powerless or frustrated in my life.
‘Your brother and Megan Jones have been transferred to the treatment unit,’ Dr Rothwell says.
Oh God. I slump back in my seat and close my eyes. My worst fear has come true.
‘What about me? Am I going there too?’
‘No.’
I open my eyes. Oh God, the isolation room.
‘We’re not sending you to the isolation room either,’ Dr Rothwell says, as though he just read my mind.
‘What? Why?’ It doesn’t make sense. What I did to Jude was way worse than what Israel did in assembly. Why send him to isolation and let me walk free?
Mrs H. smiles her slow, shark smile. ‘You need to ask Jude that.’
‘Ask Jude what?’
‘She’s more of a friend than you think, Drew. She begged us not to send you to isolation. She said there had been a misunderstanding and she didn’t want you punished for it. Despite the severity of what happened we don’t think you deliberately set out to harm your fellow students and, given Jude’s desperate plea for clemency, we’re going to give you one last chance. But one more false move from you and you’ll be fast-tracked to treatment. Do you understand?’
I nod dumbly.
‘OK, Drew,’ Dr Rothwell says. ‘You may go.’
‘One more thing,’ Mrs H. adds as I push back my chair and stand up. ‘The locks have all been reprogrammed and new cards have been issued to all staff. Oh, and all tunnels in the basement will be sealed tonight. Just in case Mason and Megan have inspired you to plan a little escape attempt yourself.’
*
I walk up the stairs to the dorms in a daze, Kyle following close behind me. I don’t get it. I saw the rage in Jude’s eyes when she thought that we were double-crossing her. Right before I pushed her she tried to tell Kyle about the fake plan to escape. She would have relished watching me go to isolation. I can’t think of a single reason why she’d beg Mrs H. not to send me there. Unless she’s still hoping to escape and she thinks I can help her. But that doesn’t feel right. She’s more motivated by revenge than freedom.
‘OK, in you go.’ Kyle gestures at the open door to my dorm. All the other doors are closed and the wing is silent, other than the odd cough, sneeze or snore.
‘Behave yourself, Drew,’ he adds, as I step into the room and the door clicks shut behind me. Out of the corner of my eye I can see a Jude-shaped lump in the top bunk on my right. Her duvet is pulled right up over her chin but I know she’s watching me. There’s a strange atmosphere in the small room, like a malevolent tension building under the silent, sleepy surface. I glance towards my bunk, then my eyes flick, automatically, towards Mouse’s bed. My breath catches in my throat. I thought it would be stripped bare, along with all Megan’s belongings, but her duvet is still on the bed and there’s someone lying beneath it.
‘Meg?’ I whisper.
She doesn’t reply. She doesn’t pull the duvet from over her head. It continues to rise and fall with each breath she takes. I take a step towards her.
‘Megan, are you OK? I thought they’d sent you to treatment.’ I reach a hand to the duvet and pull it back.
‘Hello, Andrew.’ Lacey sits up, brushing her black hair away from her shoulders as Jude screams with laughter. ‘Fancy seeing you here.’
Chapter Thirty-Two
Lacey and Jude tore shreds off me for hours last night. They made comments about me, laughed at me, goaded me and sniggered at private jokes. In the hour I’d sat in the library Lacey had told Jude everything about me. Jude, in turn, had told her everything that’s happened here.
At first I ignored them. Then I put headphones on and tried to watch a film under the duvet. When Lacey started pushing her feet against the springs of my bed I had enough.
‘Stop it,’ I snapped, leaning over the edge of the bunk.
‘Or what?’ Her snidey voice rang out in the darkness.
‘Are you going to hit her again?’ Jude said from across the room. ‘You like pushing people around, don’t you?’
‘Go on, Drew,’ Lacey chided. ‘Do it. But don’t forget, there’s two of us and only one of you.’
‘And I only need to say the word to get you shipped off to isolation. You’re going to have to be very nice to us, Drew, if you don’t want to turn into a total headcase like Israel.’
‘I think it would be nice if she cleaned the toilet with her toothbrush. What do you think, Jude?’
‘Nah, I think she should use her tongue.’
They exploded with laughter then the springs of my bed started creaking again as Lacey pounded them with her feet. It took every ounce of willpower not to leap off the bed and slam my fists into her stupid, hysterical face. I didn’t care if she and Jude jumped me. I wasn’t bothered by how much it would hurt or how humiliated I’d feel. But if I was sent to isolation I wouldn’t be able to stop Mouse and Mason being brainwashed. If I lost my temper, I’d lose them too. For ever.
Please, Dad, I silently begged as I jiggled up and down, up and down, up and down, if you are here, please help me. I don’t think I can take any more.
Finally, when I thought I’d go insane if Lacey kicked my bed one more time, she and Jude fell silent. A couple of minutes later the soft sound of Jude’s snoring filled the room. I didn’t sleep. I lay on my side and watched the red blink of the CCTV camera lights in the corner of the room. Dad wouldn’t help me. That wasn’t who I’d seen walking up the stairs. It was wishful thinking. The only person I could rely on was myself.
*
‘In a hurry, Andrew?’ Jude says trailing behind me as I march around the running track. ‘Lacey was just wondering if one of the friends could lend us a camera. Apparently you like having your photo taken. You might want to change into a skirt first though.’
I clench my fists as Lacey squeals with laughter. Jude’s braver now she’s got an accomplice. Yesterday she was terrified that we’d escape without her if she took her eyes off us. Now she’s following me around because she’s getting a kick out of tormenting me. I actually hate her more than I hate Lacey. Lacey’s a ringleader and a bully but Jude’s a vicious coward. She’ll only attack if someone else can offer her protection. Or she’ll start a whispering campaign and then deny all knowledge. She’s always watching, always waiting for an opportunity to turn the knife. I don’t know why she is the way she is but Jude’s infinitely more dangerous than Lacey. And the quicker I get away from her the better.
Lacey and Jude continue to insult, berate and bully me as I approach the three friends, guarding the door to the rec room. Today it’s Stuart, Kyle and Abi. They’re all rubbing their arms and stamping their feet, despite their thick, blue anorak
s. I give them a wide smile as I pass them. Kyle’s the only one who smiles back. The other two look suspicious. Great. Now I can be sure they’re watching me.
I glance behind me, to check on Lacey and Jude. They’re still close behind. They break off from chatting to each other to glare at me. I smile back at them then break into a run. I hear Lacey’s laugh and Jude’s whiny voice as my trainers pound against the track and I pump my arms, but then I’m away and all I can hear is the wind whistling in my ears. A sudden, terrifying flash of doubt passes through my mind – this could go wrong, this could go horribly, horribly wrong – but I push it away. This is the only chance I’ve got.
I pump my arms harder and increase my stride. I was always rubbish at sports day but there was one sport I wasn’t completely terrible at.
The long jump.
As the tip of my right trainer hits the edge of the track where it curves to go left I launch myself forwards and upwards – legs outstretched in front of me, fingers reaching. I don’t jump more than a couple of metres off the ground but it’s enough to propel me up and into the metal fence. It clangs as my hands and feet smack against it and I cling on, weaving my fingers through the gaps, grabbing onto the cold, hard metal. I ram the tips of my trainers in too then feel myself lurch backwards as the fence sways under my weight. I don’t let go. Instead, I start to climb. The gaps in the fence are narrow and, more than once, my trainers slip out and my fingers burn as I scrabble to get them back in again. Beyond the fence and across a field that must be at least four hundred metres wide, is the low, squat red-brick building that’s holding Mason and Mouse.
As shouts ring out from behind me, I hasten my climb. I glance over my shoulder as the voices get louder and louder. Lacey and Jude have stopped, halfway up the track, gawping at me. Kyle, Stuart and Abi brush past them. Abi is waving her arms, Stuart’s face is bright red and Kyle looks as though he’s running into battle. I ignore them and continue to climb. I’m over halfway up the fence now and it’s shaking. Each time I take a step upwards I’m either catapulted forwards or rocked backwards and it takes all my strength just to cling on.
‘Drew!’ Abi shouts, sounding breathless. ‘Come down!’
I ignore her and continue to climb. The low rumble of Kyle’s and Stuart’s voices drifts upwards and I brace myself. Kyle wants to come after me but the other two aren’t so sure. Stuart says something about health and safety then Abi radios for backup. She wants at least three more friends on the other side of the fence. And a first aid kit.
I grab the top of the fence and pull but, as I do, there’s a sudden pain in my left shoulder blade as though something hard just bounced off the bone. I twist sharply, only for something small and grey to whizz past my head. A group of kids have gathered halfway down the track. One of the boys, his arm pulled back, launches another stone at me.
‘Oi!’ Stuart runs towards them, waving his arms. ‘Harry Meadows. I saw that! Do that again and you’ll be in isolation.’
‘Drew!’ Abi shouts from beneath me. ‘Drew, don’t do this. You’ll hurt yourself.’
‘I don’t care!’
Lacey and Jude, out of Abi’s eye line, exchange a look and smirk. They’re totally loving this.
‘Why are you doing this?’ Kyle shouts, gripping the fence. He looks like he’s readying himself to climb after me and, with Stuart on crowd control, there’s no one to lecture him about health and safety.
‘I’ve had enough,’ I shout back. ‘I can’t take it any more.’
‘Who’s her therapist?’ Abi hisses. ‘We need her out here.’
Kyle shakes his head. ‘I’ve got this.’
‘Drew!’ he shouts. ‘Come down and let’s talk about it.’
‘No.’
I shiver, despite my warm hoody. The wind’s more powerful up here and it’s whipping my hair around my face. I can barely feel my fingers and my thighs are starting to cramp from holding this position. Gripping the top of the fence with both hands, I attempt to throw my left leg over the top. But I’m not strong enough and I lurch to the side as my left foot clangs against the fence. The gasps from below are drowned out by my blood thrumming in my ears as I try to jam my foot back into a gap. I can’t do it. I’m too tired. As I twist and turn and kick at the fence, my right foot comes loose too and I drop like a stone. I scream in pain as the wire cuts into my fingers, my hands taking the full weight of my body. I can’t let go. I’ll break my ankle if I fall from his height. But it hurts so much.
‘Drew!’ Kyle shouts. ‘Don’t move. I’m coming to get you. Don’t move!’
The fence sways violently as he launches himself at it. I close my eyes and cling on for dear life as he powers his way up to me, huffing and puffing and swearing under his breath. Finally, just when I don’t think I’ll be able to hold on a second longer, I feel his hand on my ankle.
‘There!’ He shoves at my feet, jamming them into the fence then continues to climb, pinning me against the fence with his body. ‘Someone get a ladder!’ he shouts. ‘Then let’s get her down.’
*
I am half carried, half dragged out of the gate near the football pitch and into the field, kicking and screaming the whole way. Kyle has his hand under one armpit, Stuart the other.
‘It’s for your own good, Drew,’ Mrs H. hisses, her high-heeled shoes sinking into the soggy grass as she attempts to keep up. ‘We gave you a second chance, you can’t say we didn’t.’
‘Take me back!’ I shout twisting my upper body to look back at Norton House. ‘Please! Please just take me back.’
A light flickers in one of the staff quarter rooms and the silhouette of a man appears in the window. He gets smaller and smaller as I’m marched towards the low red-brick building of the treatment centre.
Chapter Thirty-Three
There was a moment, when Mrs H. came rushing out of the rec room and onto the running track, her blonde hair flying behind her, her face pinched with anger, when I felt sick with fear. I’d pinned everything on her sending me to the treatment centre for trying to escape. What if she didn’t? What if she sent me to isolation instead? What if she saw through my ‘desperation’ to go home and realized that it was all a ruse; that what I actually wanted was to be reunited with Mason and Mouse so we could all escape together. But she didn’t. She reacted instinctively, fuelled by rage.
‘Get her down and take her to the treatment centre,’ she screamed. ‘And get everyone else back in the rec room. Now!’
She continued to rant – about how ineffective and useless the friends were and how she was considering sacking the lot of them – all the way across the field to the treatment centre. Only now, as Stuart and Kyle set me down on my feet outside the heavy black door, does she pause to draw breath.
She presses a buzzer on a metal grille to the left of the door. ‘It’s Evelyn Hatch. We’ve got a new student for you, Drew Finch.’
There’s a pause then, ‘Sorry, there’s no Drew Finch on our list.’
‘That’s because it’s an emergency referral. I radioed over the request ten minutes ago.’
‘Has the referral had authorization from Dr Rothwell?’
‘Of course it has. Oh for goodness’ sake just open the door.’
Another pause then there’s a buzzing sound and the black door clicks open. Stuart and Kyle usher me in, not taking their hands off my shoulders. A long white corridor stretches ahead of us with a door at the far end. Directly to our right is a glass window. Sitting behind it is a woman in a white uniform, her hair pulled back tightly into a bun. She looks me at me then at Mrs H.
‘The authorization from Dr Rothwell has just come through,’ the nurse says sharply. ‘In future, please wait until we have confirmed a residency before bringing a student over. We can’t always guarantee that we’ll have a room ready.’
Mrs H. opens her mouth to reply but, as she does, the door at the end of the corridor opens and two men, also in white uniforms, walk towards us. Kyle tightens his grip on my right sh
oulder. He’s as clueless as I am about what happens next.
‘We’ll take over from here,’ says the man on the right. He’s got deep-set eyes, slightly too close together, and a heavy brow that makes him look like a caveman.
‘Come with us, please,’ says the taller man on the left. He’s got close-cropped blond hair and thin, arching eyebrows.
Stuart’s hand falls from my shoulder. So does Kyle’s.
‘It would be in your best interests to cooperate,’ says the blond man, staring, unblinkingly, into my eyes. ‘We will restrain you if we have to.’
‘I’m not … I’m not going to run. I’ll come with you,’ I stutter. This man couldn’t be more different to the friends with their fake, happy smiley personalities. The complete lack of emotion in his eyes is unsettling. It makes him impossible to read.
He doesn’t reply. Instead, he points towards the door at the other end of the corridor.
I start walking, aware that the men in white are following close behind me. When we reach the door a buzzer sounds and the door swings open. No staff passes here. The woman behind the glass wall must have buzzed us through.
‘Where now?’ I ask, as I step through the door into another long white corridor. The blond man points for me to walk straight ahead. I continue to walk, memorizing the route as we take a right, a left and another right, passing through doors that magically swing open as we approach them. Finally, when we reach the fourth corridor, the blond man holds up a hand for me to stop. He points to a door on my right with the number six embossed on the outside. The red lights on the CCTV unit on the ceiling flash once, twice, three times, then the door clicks open. The caveman pushes it open and gestures for me to go inside.
I hesitate. ‘I want to see my brother first. I need to check he’s OK.’
He shakes his head, gesturing again for me to go inside.
‘No, I won’t. You need to tell me where Mason and Mouse are. You need to –’
I’m shoved hard, between my shoulder blades, forcing me into the room. The door clicks shut behind me then I hear a clunk-click sound. I’m locked in.