the police

'Rat tat tat.'

The police now knock after ringing, clearly not about to leave anytime soon. I battle with myself, wondering if I should turn in or hide away.

'ding~ Dong~'

Fucking hell, if someone wasn't answering for this long I'd bugger off. But then again, they're the police. They're after criminals and murderers and not just about to walk away.

Slowly, I head downstairs and poke my head through the kitchen window, like I used to do when a stranger was at the door and I was told not to open it. A female officer notices me and walks over with a friendly smile.

"Hey there? Are you Henry Harrison?"

"Yes." I reply blankly.

"Is anyone at home with you? We'd like to have a quick chat with mum or dad."

"My mum's out." I sigh.

The lady looks at her two colleagues and they exchange a 'here we go again' glance. I observe the way they've parked the car slightly sideways, as if they have a backup plan for if the murderer tries to run out of the house. Correction, incase I try to run out of the house. I'm what they're fighting against.

"Your mum is Clarence Harrison right?" The male officer asks suddenly.

"Hm." I don't even bother answering properly. Atleast they start making phone calls and pretty soon my mum comes home in her friends' car, looking very angry and then terrified once she sees the cars and three officers. She lets them in, makes them tea and then talks with them in the living room while I sit emotionlessly on the stairs.

Soon the first female officer comes out into the corridor and asks me to join them in the living room.

"Don't be scared okay?" She reassures me silently. "We just need to collect some information. Be as honest as you can."

"Hm." I reply.

When I'm settled a space away from my mum on the sofa, I see the male officer looking at the gap and nudging the other female. They give eachother a side eye while the first officer distracts me, telling me their names.

"I'm PC Wayfair, that's PC Drairy and that's PC white."

I don't say anything since there's nothing to say. PC white, the male officer starts writing things on his notepad which I wish I could tear up and stuff down his throat.

PC Drairy, the second female goes ahead to overlay PC wayfair who was about to say something and announce loudly,

"We're here to enquire about a death that happened last night. You were at the scene?"

"Hm."

"Answer as clearly as possible," PC white adds in an exaggerated baritone, his eyes widened in an attempt to scare me. I stare at him for a few seconds before saying,

"Yeah, I was there."

A 'Happy now?' Would've been satisfying, but I remember to keep composed and not act like a killer..

Until they say I'm the killer.

"The deceased is a student by the name of Lucas Wang," PC Drairy continues. "Correct, or no?"

"Correct."

"And what was your relationship to him?"

PC wayfair interrupts before Drairy can ask further. "School mates?.. or…"

"Yeah."

My mum gives me a glare, urging me to reply properly.

"I'll handle the questions." PC wayfair quickly adds to her colleagues. The two, white and Drairy give each other a glance and a slight sigh before Drairy pulls out her notebook and they both continue staring into me.

"So," wayfair continues. "Can you explain what happened last night? If it feels like too much, you can speak to one of us in private or write it down. Will that help? You're not compelled to answer, but we just need some words from the witness. Can you do that?"

I don't reply for a few seconds. It feels like hours are going by, while I sit there feeling very small and 4 pairs of eyes are glaring into me.

One pair is sympathetic but the other three just want me behind bars. Finally, I say,

"Can I speak to you in private." It's not really a question, but I clearly direct it to PC wayfair. The other two officer's shoulders sag… and wayfair looks a little surprised like she'd just suggested it but would rather not speak to me alone.

I wouldn't either. I look like a psychopath.

She nods to the others and they leave the room reluctantly. Wayfair gets out her notepad and holds out her hand kindly.

"You can close your eyes and hold my hand, I'd just like you to tell me briefly what you witnessed last night." Her voice is so gentle and reassuring, the kind of voice I'd have wanted to read me a story when I was little.

Somehow though, I don't want to close my eyes. I don't trust being unaware of my surroundings anymore, and I keep them wide open staring at her and waiting for the time I feel ready to say it. She looks a little taken aback and intimidated by me… but she hides it with a smile and a small nod as if saying 'when you're ready.'

"I killed him."

I didn't mean to confess to that. She looks a little shocked at first but then smiles and says, "now I'm sure you feel that way but I can assure you this isn't your fault. Can you try to explain what happened from when you reached the pier?

"He texted me to go there." I say blankly. "So I went. And we kissed and the sunset was beautiful."

Wayfair was just writing a few notes when she pauses and then continues, clearing her throat.

"Okay?"

"Are you shocked about it?" I enquire. "It's fine to be gay, you know."

"No, no." Wayfair gives me a look that suggests I should stop bending her patience and get on with it. "Ofcourse. Continue. So, you were more than classmates then?"

This is fun. I can feel a small smirk coming, but I quickly compose my face and continue.

"The sky looked so nice. I don't think there were any coast security at the booth because the pier was closed. We got over the gate."

"Did you know that you weren't meant to be in there?" PC wayfair eyes me wearily, and I brush it off shrugging,

"Yeah. But then he turned into a monster, so I pushed him off the cliff."

"Can you please explain what happened when you chased Lucas to the edge of the cliff and tried to persuade him not to jump? That's what's on the camera footage, not what you're saying," wayfair is losing her patience now. I ponder her speech.

"So you saw all that and you still haven't confirmed it a suicide?" I challenge her.

"We're trying to silence the case until we get more evidence, and you play a big role in that evidence. Please cooperate with us." Wayfair sounds like she's pleading.

"Are you...begging me?" I can't help but ask. "What if I don't cooperate? Lie that it was another suicide, like Luca's case? I fucking murdered him. Take me to jail."

Wayfair can only watch in awe as I leave the room and return to sit on the stairs.

I see PC white eyeing me through the kitchen door where he's drinking coffee.

I smirk gently to myself, imagining what he'd do if he knew I could pick up a knife and end his whole future right now if I wanted to.

And what would he do about it, come back to life?

Not everyone's a monster.