Chapter 7

I found myself back in Kevin's room. His house void of any parental figures, although it was pretty late.

I sat on the white sofa sinking into it whilst George lay on Kevin's king-size bed. Kevin, on the other hand, sat next to me.

It made me lean away from him in all my consciousness.

"This is going to sound crazy..." I started, but was interrupted by George, who snorted causing me to glare at him.

He propped himself up on his elbow and stared at me with a face that said 'really...'

"Like I was saying before I start. I have been diagnosed with schizophrenia when I was young but..." I swallowed hoping to lubricate my drying throat, "I only see bracelets on people's wrist."

There was silence. More words were expected, it seemed. But I couldn't carry on. I felt hotness at the back of my head as memories that I had forcefully not thought about for years came surging forward.

How I once spoke to my mother adoringly about the bracelet on her hand; hoping for answers. Yet, I received something completely unexpected.

"So..?" George sat upright in confusion. "You see bracelets that "aren't" on people's arm, big deal." He sarcastically sounded out.

"How exactly does that relate to any of this?" Kevin, who looked slightly irritated, asked.

My lips thinned at their reaction. I couldn't help but question how I managed to find myself here, sitting with the two people I had wanted to not-so-discreetly avoid.

"They're usually there because of... ominous? deeds committed by the holder", I stared at my feet and contemplated my choice of words which I kept circling back to. Ominous? Most definitely.

"As in?" George pressed further whilst Kevin face leaned in closer, our faces barely inches apart.

I felt the familiar dryness which seemed to haunt my throat. My hands trembled slightly not knowing if I should answer. Would they kill me? Discard of me? Throw me in the Pacific? I wouldn't put it past Kevin.

I swallowed back my chances of a bright future and spoke.

"Murder."

A stillness hung in the air. Nobody spoke. Every breath taken was heard.

"Your crazy," said George.

"That makes sense," Kevin said in union.

Their opposite answers caused them to fling a glance at each other in scepticism.

"Alright". Surrendered George "which one of us  here has killed someone?" The question felt like a bucket of cold water suddenly flung at me as I stood stammering.

"Wha-uh" I stopped and stared at both of them like a deer caught in the headlights.

"Go on" Kevin smiled at me knowingly.

Swallowing my chances of any bright future prospects once again and answered.

"Y-you both have."

George laughed condescendingly.

"You think blondie over here has done something like that! You're a nutcase!" He scoffed.

I deadpanned at his reaction.

"He's a psychopath. He's killed more people than you can imagine!" I felt like a box had broken open within me. It was refreshing, yet it made me feel naked, even more when I looked at Kevin.

He laughed before George could call me a lunatic or whatever he had in mind.

"I knew you knew." He said, head hung low, lifted to reveal a smile which caused me to shiver in fear. It was like his mask fell off. I could see his real self.

"You mean? You actually?" Whatever caused George to be laid-back a few seconds ago no longer existed.

I, myself, felt as though I had challenged a beast desiring to be acknowledged. I was sure this would be my last day alive on earth. however, to my surprise, Kevin sat there not moving as if it was already old news. His nonchalant take on this caused me to question him.

"What exactly gave off- I mean- what made you think I already knew?" I leaned closer to him, contrast to how I was acting earlier.

"Because I fooled everyone but you into believing my "golden boy" facade" he smiled. Something about his smile gave off a feeling of happiness? George glanced at me concerned for Kevin which I returned with a confused glance as well as a shrug.

But I guess it made sense. I only managed to stop trembling in his presence as of recently. But, that was just because I cooked up a few tricks like pinching my leg.

I nodded understandingly, swallowing back my cowardice.

"So, what happens now?" I felt my fingers twitch nervously and scowled at my reaction. I was scared and I hated it.

"What do you mean?" Kevin leaned back onto the sofa. "Now we take down Mr Nathaniel, all the secrets are out in the open now. We all have dirt on one another so let's work together." He smiled casually at both George and myself.

Before anybody could ask for more information or even object a loud growl erupted from my stomach. My face reddened in embarrassment, George laughed at me,

"I thought somebody let loose a wild animal!" It didn't seem like he was going to stop laughing anytime soon.

"I'm leaving!" Call me a coward, but all I wanted was to hide under my blanket for the next five years. But, before I could make my grand escape, Kevin grabbed my arm.

"I'll call someone to whip something up" he smiled.

I quickly rebuked the idea.

"No, that's okay. I'm alright" I smiled while speedily detaching his hand from my arm.

Ignoring my futile rejections. He called someone on his phone and asked for dinner to be made.

I glanced at the white clock decorated in diamonds on the porcelain wall. It was past 12 and nearing 1 am.

"Don't you have a family waiting on you?" I asked to George who sat on the couch now.

His eyes dropped to the table top, lips pulled in a sneer. I waited patiently expecting a reply but I never received one.

I knew my aunt and uncle very well. They wouldn't bother waiting for me at 12 and probably hoped I wouldn't come back.

"I take it that both of you are alright staying out late?" Kevin asked after ending the call. I nodded whilst George didn't bother replying but did throw me a look of interest.

"So how exactly did a rich boy like you become so... messed up?" George asked before a long silence could loom over us awkwardly.

Kevin didn't answer, instead he smiled. It was a soft smile.

"I'll tell you another day".