20 Minutes Ago

Chelsea Forsham

I stand in the corridor, having stepped out from my English class, as memories of my father dance around my mind. 

I long to hear his voice again, even if it is just to moan. I want to hug him, to relish in his games, to laugh at his corny jokes. I want him back! I want him!

What kind of psycho does this? 

First my Mum and now my Dad and I am supposed to be alright with this, carry on as if everything's alright. 

But, it is not, I want answers! I want to know who killed him! I want them to pay!

What began as sadness boils over into rage, as my cheeks flush red and a desire to punish someone overwhelms me.  

I am not a violent person, but something has overcome me. It is like in those movies when someone gets possessed, you know it is not really them, but at the same time you know that the Devil is only doing half the work and it takes a lot to corrupt an innocent soul, if that makes any sense. 

As I stand there, my emotions taking their toll on me, I recall these words of wisdom from my Father 'If things ever get to much, just stop what you are doing and scream, let it all out. No matter where you are or the looks you are going to get, just scream, you can always explain after.  Because, with that scream, you let all your anger out with something simple and afterwards your mind is clear, exhausted and in desperate need for a drink, but clear.'

With this recollection and with a real need to calm myself down, I do exactly that, I scream, just as my Headmaster, Henry Coates, staggers into the corridor. 

The words "What on earth are you doing?" erupting from his lips at the exact same moment as teachers all along the corridor open their doors to check on my well-being.

My Father was right, the scream really was liberating and well now it was time for the explanation, which I find myself struggling to articulate. 

"Um, well, I, um screamed and well I um did it because I um I mean my Father said those calm exercise thingys  never um really worked for him and that um I should just scream and um well I got overwhelmed and um did not um know um what  um to do and so I um just screamed and it um worked."

The teachers all nod in unison and all say something along the lines of  "I totally understand, whatever helps you cope I am here to support it and if you ever need anything, a hug, a chat or even another scream I am here for you.", before closing their doors and returning to their lessons. 

My teacher, Mrs Sparrow, a short, brunette, who wears spectacles and with the most impressive  smile I have ever seen, adds "I will give you a few more minutes outside and whenever you are ready, just come back in. We are going to be turning Macbeth into a board game, which I know you loved doing with your Father."

I thank her and turn my attention back to myself and the corridor, wherein I notice Henry Coates intensely staring at me. 

I assume that he too wants to offer his condolences, so I wait for a comment, but nothing comes, just the staring.

"Mr Coates, is everything alright?" I ask, the stare beginning to creep me out. 

"I am fine, just trying to wrap my head around what you said. I get your overwhelmed, but I don't understand the scream, why the scream, because the worst you have to worry about is revising and exams, which you'll probably fail, because you didn't do the first thing I mentioned and revise. Also, half the school is incompetent and I am not just talking about the students, teachers too. Granted, you might witness a divorce or lose one of your parents, but nothing can compare to the horror I've faced, the nightmares I've lived! Go back into that fucking classroom and stop moping because your boyfriend left you! You stupid bitch! You stupid fucking bitch!" he drunkenly slurs. 

The anger that I had just felt returns , with the words "What the fuck is wrong with you?!" exploding from me like a nuclear missile. 

"What is wrong with me bitch, nope, it's what's wrong with you?!"

"Are you fucking crazy! My dad died this weekend..."

"Don't fucking lie Chelsea! Your Dad is teaching Geography right as we speak!"

"What the fuck are you talking about! Oh, wait!  You think Paul's my Dad! You really are fucking crazy, Paul is not my Dad, never has been! I can't believe you forgot who my fucking Dad is, Clive Forsham, that's my Dad! Who's the fucking incompetent one now!"

On hearing my father's name, his cheeks burn brighter with rage, the anger I had just faced nothing compared to the Beast that he has now become.

"Clive fucking Forsham! Even in death, that bastard plagues me! Well, no more, I say! I bet he's sitting up in heaven or wherever the fuck you go after you die, thinking his daughter is safe! Well, I'm going to end that! I am going to fucking kill you!"

With that he lunges forward, his hands clasping around my neck, life squeezing out of  me.

Now

Carlos Cortez 

Me and the Detective arrive at the school, where on one side Chelsea's teacher comforts her and on the other Marie holds back a drunken and infuriated Henry Coates. 

I approach Marie, while the Detective stands there, staring at Henry, a sense of recollection pressed upon his face. 

As, I reach Marie, I notice she has a huge red bruise on the side of her face, a mark that spikes my anger.

For, I love all of my Officers , they are like family and to see one of them get hurt makes me sick to the core, and by Henry Coates no less.

A man who has done so much good for this community, this school. A man who turned this inadequate school, with bullying, drugs, and poor teaching, into something outstanding. A wealthy man who does not flaunt it, living in a small terraced house with little luxuries, like the rest of us. A man who gives back to the community and the world. 

I am about to ask Marie for details, when the words "You Bastard!" echo from where I was just standing.

The words cause great pleasure to Henry,  a sadistic smile forming on his face, his turquoise eyes burning a satanic red. 

I turn my head back to where I was standing, to see the Detective having worked himself up into a frenzy, looking like a Bull who might charge at any moment. 

Not keen on another assault, I insist the Detective returns to the car, to which he reluctantly agrees. 

Paul Harvey

The game of twister continues, laughter filling the room, unaware of the commotion right beneath our feet.

It is Eliza's turn again, with her drawing the cards Right Foot, Canada.

She locates Canada, letting out another groan as she whines "I swear twister hates me", before extending her foot to reach Canada. 

Rhys draws his third set of cards, but before he has a chance to look at them, Eliza buckles, thus ending the game. 

Carlos Cortez

Marie explains that a heated argument broke out between Henry and Chelsea, in which Chelsea mentions her father's name, the name stirring something inside Henry, causing him to attack. 

"Henry holds a grudge against our victim" I think aloud, Marie nods and a plan forms inside my head. 

"Right, I will take him back to the station, sober him up and interrogate him. I want you to grab Paul, explain what happened. I think Chelsea needs to go home, be with someone that cares for her and Paul's the best bet. After, that meet with Sebastian, finish updating him about the case. I was nearly there,  just need to tell him about what happened yesterday with my EX. Once, you have done that, just go around do basic enquires, whatever he wants to do to get a clearer picture of the case. I will call you in about an 1 hour and you can bring Sebastian back to the station." 

Marie nods, giving a warm smile, before heading for the stairs that will lead her to Paul. 

I too take my leave, giving my apologies to Chelsea, as I escort Henry to the car. 

Paul Harvey

With the first round of Twister over, it is time for the second one to begin, with Benjamin, or as he prefers to be called Benji, drawing two cards. 

Benji, an academic, documentary obsessed, goal-driven guy, draws the cards Right Foot, United Kingdom.

He holds no hesitation, knowing exactly where to go and placing his foot down confidently, just as there is a knock at the door.  

I pause the game, opening the door, where to my surprise, Marie is standing, her eyes downcast and a nasty bruise on the side of her face. 

"I did not expect to see you so soon, is everything all right?" I query, my eyes focused on the bruise, wondering what an earth happened.

"Not really. Henry just assaulted Chelsea, and..." she solemnly replies, subconsciously rubbing the side of her face.

"Oh, my gosh, is Chelsea alright!" I interject, my mind no longer fixated on Marie's bruise, but the well-being of Chelsea. 

"Yes, she is currently being comforted by her English Teacher, Mrs Sylvia Sparrow. But, Carlos thinks it best she goes home and relaxes with you."

"Of course, I will find cover for this afternoon and take Chelsea home right away, thank you."

Marie nods, smiles and turns to leave, but before she does, I ask her about the bruise.

"Well, I arrive at the scene, Sylvia's got Henry in some kind of karate lock. I tell her not to worry, I got this, she releases him and I take one arm, ready to cuff it, while he uses his free one to swing directly at me. The thing is I am not even mad that I made that mistake, but mad at the fact that I could not hold him back, while an English Teacher, who does karate at the weekend, could."

I reassure her that it is not her fault, that we all make mistakes and that she should take it easy.

Satisfied, she leaves and I turn back to my classroom, where I email the Deputy Head, informing him of the situation. 

Officer Marie Johnson

The statement that I made to Paul about being mad at myself for not being able to hold back Henry was a lie.

I could have quite easily taken him on, what with the fact Henry was significantly older and had less defence training than me.

In fact, I am not even mad at myself, but at Henry, for the fact he took this swipe. I always admired Henry, a like-minded individual, who has suffered so much, but kept cool and calm, handling each mission with minimum bloodshed, while mine contain many innocent casualties.

Honestly, when Henry told me his story, I was shocked. I knew the other members of Zelda, would have horrific stories to share, but his one took the piss. Forced to have sex with his mother from a young age, with no justice being served to her, until he turned 14 when he finally worked up the courage and brutally murdered her. The part that gets me the most is that he had to serve a 7 year sentence, in a juvenile detention centre, for a crime, that was wholeheartedly justified. What the fuck!

I feel bad knowing that I have to report Henry's outburst to the higher-ups, which might result in his elimination, but I have no choice, for if I do not, then I, too, could be eliminated.