Chapter Three

"Dylan, wake up. It's nearly 8 o'clock. You'll be late." Helen said as she walked into Dylan's room. Dylan groaned under the covers, "ugh." He rolled over to his side, not wanting to get up. "If you get don't get up, I'll have to drag you out and you can go dressed like that." Helen remarked.

"Alright, I'm up!" Dylan shouted in a deep groggy voice. He sat on the side of the bed and began to get dressed. Dylan chucked the school trousers in the wardrobe and put on his black jeans instead. He ran downstairs, Helen noticed his trousers, "you can't wear jeans to school." She stated.

Dylan yawned, "well, this is what i am wearing and I can't change, or i'll be late." Helen watched as he went out to the car. She shook her head and followed. He jumped into the back seat while Emily sat in the front.
10 minutes later they arrived at the school. Dylan watched as Emily ran out of the car to join her friends. Dylan looked at the students hanging around.

Helen got out of the car and Dylan followed suit. They went to the reception. Mr. Flint came out of the double door once again, “welcome back Dylan, are you looking forward to your first day?" Mr.Flint exclaimed. Dylan shrugged "I'm going to go. Don't look so worried, you'll be fine!" Helen smiled. Dylan watched her leave through the sliding doors, "right Dylan, here's your timetable and I will take you to your first class." Mr. Flint beamed as he handed Dylan a piece of paper.

As they walked to the classroom, Dylan stayed silent. They eventually got to the classroom, "here we are," Mr. Flint exclaimed as he knocked on the door. A small, middle-aged woman opened the door and smiled, "This is Dylan, our newest edition to the school." Mr. Flint smiled.

"Hello Dylan, welcome to Hillview Academy. I'm Miss James, please take a seat in the empty chairs in the middle." Greeted Miss James. Dylan walked over to the empty chairs and noticed the two boys staring at him laughing. He sat down, trying not to take notice.

A few minutes later, Miss James came back from talking to Mr. Flint. "So, today we have a new student joining our wonderful school." She bellowed while looking at Dylan. Everyone turned to look at him, he sunk into his chair. As he tried to hide, Dylan's chair received a strong kick. Dylan refused to look behind at the boys.

Throughout the class, Dylan's chair continuously kept being kicked. He had drawn the boys being shot in the head, very graphically, in his school exercise book.
The class came to an end, everyone stood up and began to leave. The boys who kicked his chair pushed Dylan's head down on the table. Dylan slung his elbow back and elbowed one of them in the stomach.

The boy groaned on impact and fell backwards. Dylan quickly stood up and speed-walked out the door. One of the boys ran after Dylan and caught up with him, "you're going to pay for that you fucking freak!" The boy, who he found out was called Luke.

After the confrontation, Dylan went into the toilets and checked for anyone in the stalls. The bell rung for the next period, Dylan stared at himself in the mirror, 'another stupid school with stupid teachers that don't do anything about the bullying fuckers.' Dylan thought.

***

After Dylan had hid in the toilets for the whole of 2nd period, the bell rung for break. He left the toilet and began walking to the field. Luke had came up behind him and pushed him outside, where the other boy, Zack, was waiting for him.
Students began gathering around and surrounding the pair.Zack started lunging at Dylan, who had his fists up to protect himself. They both began fighting, pulling each other to the ground. Dylan kept punching and kicking Zack, who managed to punch Dylan in the face.

After a while, a teacher came up and pulled both of them apart, "Zack Burns, what on earth do you think you're doing? Both of you, headmasters office right now!" She said. Dylan picked himself up of the ground and walked to Mr. Flint's office.

Dylan sat outside the office opposite Zack and wiped his lip. "Both of you inside" Mr. Flint spoke as he went back in his office. Dylan followed, "Both of your parents have been called, Dylan, Helen is coming to collect you. Now for you to tell me what happened." Mr. Flint bellowed.
Zack responded, "he elbowed me in class, so I got pay back." Dylan shook his head, "only because you and your little friend kept kicking my chair." He interrupted. "Zack, we've had this conversation about bullying once before, haven't we? Detention for you, Zack. Bullying is zero tolerance." Mr. Flint ordered. Zack huffed and walked out. "Dylan you can wait outside, Helen will be here for you soon." He added.

Dylan went to the empty chairs, he thought of a plan to sort Luke and Zack out once and for all. As Dylan thinking of different ways to kill them, the secretary came to collect him. "Your mum is here to take you home." She said. Dylan followed and saw Helen standing there, "I told you this would be a mistake." Dylan cursed as he walked out towards the car. Helen followed him, "what happened? Mr. Flint just told me you got into a fight with a boy in your class." She said as she stopped him getting into the car.

Dylan rolled his eyes, "I'm just an easy target aren't i? He sighed and got into the car. Helen joined him in the car." “He will get his soon, they'll be taught a lesson, not to mess with me." Dylan threatened. Helen looked at him with concern, and started the engine.
"What do you mean by that?" Helen asked. Dylan stared out of the window, "nothing. I'm just angry." He sighed. Dylan pulled out his phone and searched their names online. He found them straight away.

As they arrived home, Dylan found out where they walk home from school. Dylan got out of the car and ran inside to his bedroom to get changed. He went into the bathroom and cleaned his face up. Helen, who was worried about what Dylan had said in the car, wrote it down in notebook to keep an eye on him.

Dylan went back into his room and grabbed his bag. He unlocked the padlock. He loaded the gun and placed it in his school bag. He locked the bag back up and put it back under his bed.

***

A few hours later, Helen knocked on Dylan's door, "I'm going to pick Emily up from school. I'll be back soon. Don't leave the house you're still grounded." Helen stated. Dylan watched as she left. He grabbed his bag and put on his bandana and hat and ran out the front door.

As he waited at the location, a pathway in a park that had long seen any visitors, he cocked his gun, ready to shoot his unsuspecting victims.
Five minutes later, he heard them, they were talking about how they gave he 'new boy' a good beating, which made Dylan even more angry.

Dylan waited as they past him. Once they had walked by, Dylan began following them, knowing they wouldn't run, but would taunt him.
As he followed, Dylan smiled behind his bandana, he felt incredible, he was about to do something he had always wished he could do. Luke and Zack had looked back a couple of times, lowering their voices as they became suspicious.

"Why the fuck are you following us for?" Luke shouted, Dylan didn't respond, continuing to walk towards them with his hands in his jacket pocket.
Luke and Zack stopped walking, "you are a stupid freak, are you a fag?" Yelled Zack. They both laughed. As Dylan got closer, the taunting got more frequent. Dylan pulled out the gun from his jacket,"wow, a fake gun, we're so scared!" They both laughed again.

Dylan fired the gun, the bullet hit Zack in the chest. Zack fell down groaning in pain, Dylan cocked the gun once more, Like stared at Zack in shock. Zack was bleeding out, his cries became less and he soon stopped completely, with his eyes wide open, his hand fell to his side as he stopped breathing. Dylan shot Luke in the eye, blood splattered everywhere as the 9mm metal bullet made contact.

As they both lay covered in blood, squatted down beside them, "Next time you beat someone up, then brag about it, make sure they don't own a gun and have a conscience." He smiled. Before he left the bodies, Dylan snatched Luke's chain and Zack's bracelet, 'thanks for the souvenir, lads' he smiled as he thought.

Dylan began walking away, placing the gun and the bandana in his bag. He placed the chain and bracelet inside the pocket in the bag. He smiled as he began walking home, he took a deep breath and smelt the fresh air, he felt a lot better after some target practice.
Before he walked up the driveway, he made sure he didn't have a speck of blood on him or his clothing.

Once he made sure he was clean, he walked up the driveway. Dylan noticed Helen's car was back at the house, 'fuck, I was longer than I wanted to be.' He thought.
Dylan walked into the house, "Where have you been? You're suppose to be grounded!" Helen fumed. Dylan replied, "I had something to do. No worries." He ran up to his room and shut his door and began to put the gun away.

"Everyone is talking about this fight with Zack Burns." Emily remarked as she sat on the sofa. "Well, that Zack Burns caused it all. Dylan might not want to go back now." Helen sighed as she started to make dinner.
Dylan opened his notebook and wrote Luke and Zack's name inside of it. He put the chain and bracelet in his bag with the gun. Dylan locked it up again and put the notebook in his drawer.

As Emily was doing her homework, Dylan came downstairs. He turned the TV on as he fell onto the sofa, and laid down. "How come he's allowed to watch TV when he was kicked out of school on his first day?" Emily groaned. "He didn't get kicked out, he got to leave early because of what happened." Helen responded. Dylan smiled as he changed the channel. Emily rolled her eyes and went back to doing her homework.

***

Half an hour later, Helen started putting the plates on the table, "Dylan, your food is ready. Can you turn off the TV and come eat, please?" Helen called. Dylan sighed and turned it off. He sat down at the table and began eating.
"So, Emily, how was school?" Helen asked. "Well, better than Dylan's , that's for sure." Emily smiled. Dylan slammed his fork down and grabbed the knife. He pointed it towards Emily and yelled, "will you shut the fuck up?"

Both Emily and Helen were shocked, Helen grabbed Dylan's hand and took away the knife. He looked at both of them and pushed his chair back so hard it fell. He ran to his room and slammed the door. "Do you have to wind him up?" Helen shouted. "He's a lunatic! Why keep him here? He'll end up killing us!" Emily yelled back, terrified.

Helen looked at her terrified daughter, no matter how much she avoided it, Helen knew Emily was right. "I'm going to be calling a friend of mine tomorrow. He might be able to help. In the mean time, stop winding him up and leave him alone." Helen stated.

Dylan laid on his bed, thinking about what just happened. 'Why does she have to be so annoying? I don't like either of them, but least Helen doesn't keep winding me up.' While he was away with his thoughts, there was a knock on his door. It was Helen. "Hey, sorry about her, I have told her to stop and she is to leave you alone." Helen stated. Dylan nodded. "I was wondering how you would feel about attending therapy?" She asked. Dylan looked at her with a confused expression, "with you?" Dylan responded. "No, that wouldn't be appropriate, considering I'm your parent, It will be with a friend of mine from the same company I work for, that doesn't mean you can't confide in me, if you feel like you want to, but least you'd have someone to talk to."

Dylan looked around, wondering what he should do. It could be fun, but he knew that this was a way for Helen to figure out what he has been doing and he wasn't done with that yet. He had plenty of people to teach a lesson, he figured he could use it. "Ok. I'll do it. Will he be telling you everything I say, though?" Dylan asked. Helen smiled, "no, whatever you tell him is completely confidential, unless you or someone else is at risk of being harmed." Dylan nodded. Helen opened his door, and walked out, shutting it behind her.
She was surprised at him agreeing to counselling, as she thought he might refuse to go. 'Maybe he's finally setting down and realising I am not going to give up.' She thought.

Emily walked into Dylan's room a few minutes later. "Do you think you're going to be allowed to stay here if you're threatening me?" Emily remarked as she began touching his stuff on the desk. Dylan sighed, "I wouldn't worry about that." Emily turned to him looking confused, "what do you mean?"

Dylan sat up and smirked, "well, it won't take much to turn your mum against you, maybe she'll put you in care and keep me." Emily's mouth dropped open, "that won't work. She won't let that happen." She exclaimed. Dylan smirked again as he stood up, "it's already working. Soon you will see." He whispered.

Emily swung her hand towards him, Dylan grabbed her wrist to stop her. He pulled her towards his door and shoved her out. Emily ran to tell Helen what Dylan had just said, "Mum! Mum!" She yelled. "I'm here, what do you want?" Helen smiled. Emily replied, "Dylan said you were going to put me in care and he's going to turn you against me." Helen shook her head.
"I don't believe he'd say that. He was fine when I went in. I think he's finally calming down." Helen smiled. Emily nodded and went to her room. Dylan smirked at her as she walked past, Emily slammed her door.

Dylan laid back on his bed. His phone pinged with a notification, it was a friend request from a girl at school, Storm Ashford. He accepted it and looked on her profile.
Helen knocked on Dylan's door, “did you tell Emily I'd put her in care?" She quizzed. Dylan looked away from his phone, "No. She asked about living in care and I told her what it was like." He smirked. Helen nodded, "thought so."

"Can I get a lock for my room? Just getting annoyed with Emily bursting into my room all the time." Dylan asked. "I'm sure we can sort something out. I'd have to be allowed entry though, like a key." Helen smiled.Dylan nodded, "Ok. Night." Helen said as she walked out of his room.

Dylan got into his boxers and got back into his bed. He continued to scroll through Storm's profile. She was beautiful. She was clearly an emo with blonde dip-dyed hair, piercings, she looked cute. Dylan eventually fell asleep with his phone in his hand.

***

Helen woke up before Emily and Dylan. She decided to call her friend and coworker about Dylan. "Hi Matt, I've recently fostered a child, a 16-year-old, who I have grown concerned about. I was wondering if you'd be able to talk to him, as you know I can't because it's inappropriate." She spoke into the phone.

"That's great. Thanks Matt." Helen hung up and went to wake up Dylan and Emily. She went to Dylan's room first, but he was already awake and dressed. "Oh. Sorry. I didn't realise you were up yet." Helen smiled. "I've spoke with my coworker, and he can see you tonight after school." She added.
"That soon? You must really be worried." Dylan acknowledged. Helen replied, "What makes you say that?" Dylan put his phone away, "well, when a parent or other caregivers get a therapist involved, it only means they're worried ." He explained, Helen nodded with confusion. "When they get them involved straight away, it means they're really worried." Dylan added.

Helen smiled as she left. Dylan followed her out the door and went to grab breakfast. Emily and Helen appeared seconds after Dylan sat down with a slice of toast. Helen put the radio on as everyone was quiet and not talking to each other.

"A search is being conducted for two 16-year-old boys, Luke Foster and Zack Burns." All three spun their heads towards the radio. "They were both last seen leaving Hillview Academy at 4:30 yesterday afternoon." Dylan smirked while eating his toast. Helen, who caught a glimpse of Dylan's smirk, felt the uneasiness in her stomach once again. "Isn't that the boy you had a fight with?" Helen asked. Dylan quickly stopped smirking and nodded.
"Police are asking for anyone who may have seen the two boys or know of their whereabouts to please call 101 and use the case number 1740030133." The radio bellowed before music started playing again.

***

Half an hour later, Helen shouted, "ok. Everyone in the car." Dylan appeared first, followed by Emily. Dylan got into the backseat and put his headphones on. He thought he would pretend to listen to his music so, he could hear what Emily says about him.

Helen began driving as Dylan pretended to not be listening. "I don't know why you don't just take him back to the care home." Emily remarked. Helen replied, "why would you say that? That's horrible. You're lucky he's not listening right now."

"I wouldn't care if he did hear me. I'll be dead because of him soon enough." Emily quietly yelled. Dylan clenched his fists as he imagined putting his hands around her small neck and strangling her while she screamed and tried to fight back. He grinned a malicious grin.

As Helen arrived at the school, she turned to face Dylan, "remember I'm picking you up from here. Maybe I can pick you up early, go have a burger or something." Helen repeated. "So, now you're rewarding him?" Emily scoffed. Dylan got out of the car, "told you this would happen." He whispered as he walked past. He kept smiling at her as he walked away.

Dylan stood waiting for the bell to ring, he watched as everyone was talking about the missing duo, smiling proudly, knowing that their corpses are lying in their dried blood, with bullets inside of them.
The bell rung and Dylan had started walking to his class, when he was stopped by Storm, who was grinning ear to ear.

"Hi Dylan, I know the friend request was random, but I think you're pretty cool." She giggled. Dylan blushed, he didn't understand what he was feeling. Dylan didn't know what to say, he smiled back. "Um... thanks, I guess. You're cool too." Storm smiled. "What class have you got?" She's asked. "I've got art, what about you?" Dylan responded awkwardly.

"Same. Let's go together." Storm giggled again as they began walking to the art class.
As they both arrived, the teacher, Mrs Cross walked over to them, "where have you two been? You're ten minutes late." Mrs Cross challenged. "Storm, this is the 4th time you've been late." She added.

Dylan looked at Storm, who was looking at the floor anxiously when everyone in class sniggered with laughter. "Sorry. We were having fun, we knew we wouldn’t expect any enjoyment from your class." He snapped. The whole class erupted in laughter. Storm and Dylan sat in their seats, "I can't believe you just said that." Storm exclaimed. Mrs Cross scowled at Dylan, "be quiet!" She yelled at the class. "Today you can draw anything that comes to mind..." Mrs Cross began when she was interrupted by police cars arriving at the school with sirens on.

The whole class ran to the window, except Dylan. "I don't think that's good news." One boy said. "They must have found their bodies" another assumed. Dylan smiled as he listened to his classmates talking about it. He was proud, he had gotten away with another one. "Can everyone sit down and be quiet!" Mrs Cross yelled, the class settled down again.

"I wonder what happened to them." Storm wondered. Dylan wanted to tell her, but knew it would be a mistake. "I don't know. Probably said something to the wrong person." He replied. Dylan started drawing, he decided to draw a dead body, just for a reaction.

Once he was finished, he noticed everyone was still working. He sat back in his chair and stared at Storm, who was drawing anime characters. He felt different about her, he never wanted friends before. Dylan felt the need to protect her.

As Dylan watched her, a couple of the girls in the class started pointing and laughing at Storm. He shot them a glare that was murderously cold. They stopped at once, looking back down at their work. Storm looked at them, then at Dylan, "it's ok." She informed. Dylan smiled at her and turned back to the front.

***

A few hours had passed and the bell rung for lunch. Dylan and Storm sat down on the grass on the field, "do you want to skip? We could just stay here." Dylan asked. Storm pondered for a few minutes. As she was about to answer, a teacher come onto the field with a megaphone, "there will be an emergency assembly after lunch. Please report to the P.E hall after the bell." He shouted. "Maybe after assembly, we can skip." Storm suggested.

The pair got up and began walking to the P.E hall. "I wonder what this is all about." Storm said looking at Dylan. "Probably about the police earlier." As they walked into the hall, Dylan noticed Mr. Flint visibly upset while the other teachers were looking shocked. Dylan knew they had found the bodies, he smiled.

Dylan sat down next to Storm and waited for Mr. Flint to begin talking. "I'm sure everyone knows about the two boys from this school who went missing yesterday." Mr. Flint shakily began talking. "At 9:30 this morning, they were found dead at Elm Park." The whole hall gasped, some students began crying, some stayed silent.
"I urge anyone who may have seen anything, to come to me or one of your teachers. The school will be offering counselling for any student that needs it." Mr. Flint stated. "You're free to leave the hall." He added.

They both got out and went back to the field. Dylan stared at Storm, who was picking daisies that were around where she was sitting. "So, I guess you don't like school?" She asked. Dylan smiled, "not really. I always get targeted by bullies. I suppose you heard about the fight I was in on my first day." Storm nodded. "What are you doing after school? Do you want to hang out?" She asked.

"I can't, sorry. My foster mum is taking me to therapy. She thinks there's something wrong with me." Dylan sighed. "Oh. I didn't know you were in care." Storm remarked. While they were talking, a teacher had started walking over to them, "busted."
"Why are you two out here instead of in class?" The teacher asked angrily. Dylan put on his best sad face that he had practiced in the mirror for hours, "we were sad to hear about Zack and Luke. We couldn't face going back to class after hearing that." Dylan lied.

The teacher looked at Dylan, who managed to look like he was about to cry. "Oh, I thought you were new here." She replied. "I am, but it reminds me about my parents who died." Dylan lied putting on a shaky voice. "Oh my god. I'm so sorry. It's getting a bit chilly out here though. Why don't you go into the common room where it's warmer." She smiled. Dylan nodded. He smiled at Storm as he grabbed his bag.

They both followed the teacher to the common room, "here we are. Stay in here as long as you need. Again, I'm so sorry about your parents." The teacher said apologetically. Dylan sat down on the sofa and smiled. "Are your parents really dead?" Storm asked as she sat down beside him. "Nope. I like making people feel bad so I get what I want." He smiled again. "You're mental. I love it." She exclaimed.

***

Dylan's phone beeped as he and Storm talked. He looked at his phone, it was Helen, 'I'm in reception, teachers can't find you, where are you?' Dylan text back that he was coming. "I've got to go, therapy calls" he remarked. Storm nodded and grabbed his arm as he was about to leave and kissed him.

Dylan looked down awkwardly. “I’m sorry. I really like you, Dylan.” Storm stuttered. Dylan smiled, “I’ll talk to you after my therapy, if you want?” He replied as he left.
Dylan walked through the double doors to where Helen was waiting. “Where have you been?” She asked.”I skipped, it was only math, no biggie.” Dylan smiled. He walked out towards the car. “Emily’s going to walk home. So, I don’t need to pick her up.”

Helen began driving out of the school car park and to the therapy clinic. “Am I just having the one session or multiple?” Dylan asked. “It depends if you get on with it or if they find you need more support.” Helen confirmed. Dylan looked out of the window, counting the cars going by.

As they passed Elm Park, Dylan sat up straight, rolled his window down and watched all the police cars surrounding the entrance. They stopped at the traffic lights, halting right in front of the gates. Helen looked over at Dylan, who had a blank stare while looking at the police and private ambulance, “Emily told me what was said in the assembly. What do you think happened to them?” Helen asked.

“Huh?” Dylan muttered as he pulled away his gaze from the crime scene. “Oh. I don’t know. Do you think it will be in the paper tomorrow?” He questioned. Helen looked at him confused, “yeah, I should think so. Why? That’s an odd question.” She hesitated.
“Can I get one tomorrow? I just want to read it.” Dylan sneered, trying to act normal. Helen nodded, unable to speak. Her gut feeling started to make her feel uneasy.

The traffic light finally turned green and Helen sped away from Elm Park, “what’s wrong?” Dylan asked as he stared at Helen, who was white as a sheet. “Nothing. We’re going to be late because of the traffic.” She spoke nervously.

***

Helen pulled into the clinic car park, the gravel crunching under the tires as she parked. They both got out, Dylan looked at the building, a newly built building, with posters up on the window about mental health. “Come on, we’ve got to sign you in.” Helen called.

As they walked in, Dylan followed Helen to the reception desk. He saw a bowl of sweets on the desk and grabbed a handful, making sweets fall everywhere, “Dylan!” Helen yelled. He smirked as he walked to a chair, “sorry about that Lucy.” Helen spoke while picking up the sweets.

Helen sat down next to Dylan as he was eating the sweets with a devilish grin. “How long have I got to wait?” Dylan asked. “15 minutes st least.” Helen replied. Dylan pulled out his phone and texted Storm, ‘I like you too. Sorry I had to shoot off.’