"Can anyone tell me what eleven times eight is? Michael, would you like to answer for the class?"
The class of third graders turned to look at said boy, who was sitting in the very back of the class with his head lowered, his messy dirty blonde hair covering his eyes. If only they could see the way their darkness scanned the room, taking in everything, every possible weak point and exit, formulating plans in his head.
"Michael? Do you need help answering?" the teacher tilted her head to the side, urging him to answer the question. To anyone else it might seem like a harmless inquiry, but Michael knew the true meaning behind it, the teacher was trying to say he was too stupid to answer a simple question. He knew the answer and he didn't need any help, he just wasn't going to answer for them. The less he talked the better.
"The answer is eighty eight Michael, meet with me after class." Mrs. Norman sighed, turning around to walk back to her desk.
"What are you, retarded?" the brown haired boy sitting in front of him whispered, turning back around in his seat to snicker with his friends. The school year had just started and the boy, Zack, had already made everyday irritating for him. Michael stayed still, his head still down. Images of the boy in front of him "accidentally" falling and breaking his nose on the playground entered his head. An evil glint filled Michael's eyes, an emotion no one would notice.
"Okay class, put your math work away, whatever you didn't finish will be homework." Mrs. Norman announced, just a second before the bell rang for lunch. The children scrambled out of their seats to put their papers into their backpacks before running off to lunch. Michael sat mutely in his seat as the teacher came and sat in the empty desk in front of him, angling herself to face him. Her long auburn hair was up in a bun and her glasses low on her nose. She was young and this was her first time teaching, and Michael was already making her year difficult.
"Michael, we've talked about you needing to participate in class a few times already, and school only started a few weeks ago. What do I need to do to see you participating?" She tilted her head to the side again, this time moving her hand to put it on top of Michaels in a way of comfort.
Anger filled his small body.
"Do you think that maybe you need help, like a tutor? Or maybe you need to be put in special classes?" She said special like it was a good thing. Michael knew better, he knew she was just trying to get him out of her class so she wouldn't have to deal with him. Michael swiftly stood up, his chair clanking to the ground behind him as he briskly walked out of the classroom, wrinkling his math paper as his fists clenched at his sides. The teacher just sighed and leaned her head back, looking at the ceiling and taking a deep breath before she got up and collected her purse to go to lunch.

Michael entered the lunch room, the sound of all the children irritating him further. He walked through the line to just grab a chocolate milk, before sitting by himself to quickly drink it as his eyes scanned the room. He was looking for someone, specifically the boy from class, Zack. Just catching a glimpse of him walking out to the playground, Michael quickly made his way outside, leaving behind his milk. Staying behind a few feet Michael stalked his prey, waiting for just the right moment. Seeing the boy stray away from all the other children, to go climb a tree on the edge of the playground, Michael decided to make his move. Quietly climbing up the tree behind the boy Michael only made it about halfway before Zack noticed him.
"What the hell are you do-" was all the he could get out before Michael shoved him out of the tree, the boy hitting the ground with a loud thud, a loud cracking noise ringing out right after. Zack started screaming bloody murder, his cries piercing through the air. All the children on the playground froze, quickly searching for where the noise was coming from. A few started running towards the injured boy, causing Michael to panic. He quickly climbed back down the tree on the opposite side, so no one would see him, and ran into the woods nearby, crouching in the bushes. A teacher ran out from the building, crouching down by the boy before yelling towards another teacher to call an ambulance. The boys right arm was bent at an odd angle, in the most sickening way possible, and he was bleeding from a gash right above his eyebrow, the blood dripping into his eye. Seeing the blood caused something to stir in Michael, almost like the feeling of excitement. This was different than when he'd kill animals, he wanted to see more of it, he craved it.
The children formed a circle around the scene, a few deciding to cover their ears and turn away from the gruesome sight. Another teacher quickly came and gathered most of the younger children to take them inside, knowing it wouldn't be good for them to see this. Within minutes the loud sirens of the ambulance echoed out as it pulled up onto the corner, the paramedics getting out and going around the back to get a stretcher. The boy was quickly taken away by the ambulance, some of the children shaken after seeing the the boy injured and screaming. The bell rang for class to start and they all started walking towards the building. Michael sprinted out of the woods and caught up to the rest of them, quickly trying to blend in, as if he was standing in the group the whole time.
They shuffled into the building and to their classrooms, sitting down in their assigned seats. A few kids in Michael's class sat together to whisper about what had happened, speculating on how the 3rd grades best tree climber had fallen from his favorite tree. He had played on the tree for years with no problem, why was this time different. Michael sat with his head lowered yet again, sinking a little into his seat, the tiniest smirk on his face and a new light in his dark eyes.
Mrs. Norman entered the classroom a few minutes later, looking stressed and bothered, her hair slipping out of her bun.
"I was just talking to the other teachers and we think it would be best if you were all released from school early, since it is Friday anyway, and after what happened a few kids have asked to go home." a few kids lifted their heads in excitement at the thought of having an early start to their weekend. "So all the walkers can get their stuff and go, and anyone who rides the bus will have to sit here and wait for the buses to get here." she sat at her desk, motioning for the children to get up and go. Most of them got up and grabbed their bags, getting their things ready to go, Michael just stood and walked out of the classroom, he didn't bother bringing his bag home with him. Walking through the now packed hall, as almost all the children walked home, since Haddonfield was a relatively small town, Michael shoved his way through, rushing to get outside.
Bursting through the doors he started towards the woods, intent on using his shortcut home. But a noise made him pause, the sound of a small voice saying stop. Turning he saw two boys, both from his class and part of Zack's little group of bullies. They where both pushing someone back and forth between them, a small raven haired girl with tawny beige skin. Her ice blue eyes catching Michael's attention as they started watering, the girl starting to cry from the older boys bullying. She looked right at Michael, as if asking for his help. He should have really just left the girl, not caring if she was getting hurt or not. He could care less about anyone else.

But then he realized this was a perfect opportunity to get more revenge on his bullies. Walking up to the boy closest to him Michael reached up and grabbed a fist full of his red hair, yanking him down to the ground, the boys sounds of pain echoing out. A few kids nearby stopped to stare, surprised that the mute kid who kept to himself was standing up for someone. The other boy went to attack Michael, getting a hit in, before Michael threw himself onto the boy, his punches coming from left and right as he pummeled the boys face, blood covering his knuckles. Michael's face pulsating where the boy had hit him making his anger increase tenfold.
"Michael, stop it now!" Mrs. Norman screamed as she ran towards the boys, pulling Michael off and pushing him to the ground. Michael looked up at her, the darkness in his eyes scaring her for a second. It was as if he wasn't in his body, but instead something else was. Something uncaring and full of rage. It disturbed her for a second before she quickly sat down to examine the crying boy Michael had been on, seeing it was just a bloody nose and cut lip.
"I will be calling your mother Michael, you can't be acting up like this in schoo-" she was cut off as the small girl interrupted her.
"He was helping me, those boys were being mean to me." her voice was soft like a whisper, Michael had forgotten the girl was even there. Mrs. Normans eyebrows raised in surprise, she honestly didn't think Michael was capable of showing emotion, let alone standing up for someone else. He didn't even stand up for himself when the other children pestered him. If only she knew the true intent behind his actions.
Turning to give the two boys a glare, they lowered their heads, letting Mrs. Norman know the girl was telling the truth. With a sigh she turned to Michael and put her hands on his shoulders.
"Next time go tell a teacher if someone is getting bullied, you can't solve violence with more violence Michael. I will have to tell your mother still, since Bradley is obviously injured."
Michael's fists clenched in anger yet again, ripping himself away from the teachers hands as he turned and started heading to the woods. The teacher called out his name before giving up and turning to help the boys up and into the nurses office. No one noticed the small figure following Michael into the woods.

Michael had just gotten a few feet into the woods when he noticed her behind him, her unsteady steps cracking sticks and leafs. He acted as if he didn't notice her, thinking of a way to get her off his trail. He sped up, having his shortcut memorized perfectly so he could easily slip through the trees without fault. The girl sped up too, tripping over herself as her feet got caught on sticks and vines. Finally hearing her slip to the ground Michael thought he would finally be able to lose her, but then he heard her cry out his name.
"Michael, help me!"
It made him feel weird hearing her small voice say his name, something in him urging him to help her. Arguing with himself for a second he sighed and turned back to the girl, walking up and helping her unwrap a vine from her small white shoes. She was a tiny thing, Michael would have guessed she was a kindergartner, seeing a little smiley face sticker on her hand confirmed it, kindergartners got them for good behavior. She had little white socks with lace on the tops of them, and was wearing light pink overall shorts, with a white short sleeved shirt on under it. Her dark hair was in two braids, little pink bows at the ends. Michael would never admit it to anyone but he thought she was cute, her large doe eyes staring up at him as he helped her.
It reminded him of the stray animals he'd catch, how they'd look up at him with their large innocent eyes before he'd snap their neck or stab them. He almost had the urge to do the same to her, the images flashing in his head, but they made him feel sick. He surprised himself with the feeling, why didn't he want to hurt her like he wanted to hurt everyone else? Shaking the thought from his head he helped her stand before getting up to continue walking. He stayed at a steady pace so the girl would be able to keep up with him. He almost yanked his hand away as she reached over and grabbed it, using him to help herself step over the large sticks and branches that covered the forest floor. His whole body tightened in surprise, the only hand he'd ever held was his moms, and maybe his baby sister when he would try to help her walk. He'd probably held Judith's hand when he was younger, but now she was an evil wench and wouldn't even like him being in the same room as her.
Making himself relax he wrapped his fingers around hers and helped her walk along with him. They were almost through the woods when she finally broke the silence.
"My names Carter" she said as she looked up from beside him. "My daddy wanted to have a boy but I came out as a girl instead, but they already picked a boy name."
She waited a few seconds and then sighed at his silence, expecting him to at least say something back to her.
"My middle name is Louise though, that's my daddy's moms name, she's my grandma" Michael almost smirked at the childish way she talked, before he decided to amuse her.
"I'm named after my grandpa." he quickly spewed out in a hushed tone. The little girl smiled largely, happy to have finally heard him say something.
"Your mommy's dad or your daddy's dad?" She questioned for clarification.
"My mom's dad, I never met my dad's dad."
"Do you have any kitties? I have a kitty named Oscar, he's big and fluffy and orange, like a pumpkin."
"I kinda have cats…" Michael trailed off, thinking of the rotting cat carcass collection he had in his little hut in the woods. He enjoyed the screeches they made when he cut their tails and ears off.
"Really! Can I meet them?" She all but squealed in happiness, she loved cats.
"Maybe one day." He imagined how'd she react if he showed her his collection. Would she scream in terror and run off, or maybe she'd understand his urges. Maybe he could get her to be like him. Two best friends that liked to hurt things, and the feeling of being in control. Well not best friends, he liked to think of her as more of a pet than a friend, something for him to play with and to amuse him, he also liked the thought of controlling her.
Stepping out of the woods they started walking on the sidewalk, Michael turning onto Lumpkin Lane, seeing his large white house near the end of the street. His mom's car was gone, meaning she was still at work. Walking up and through the front gate he stepped up onto his porch before realizing Carter was still right beside him.
"Aren't you going to go home?" He asked as he turned to her. The girl looked surprised, then confused for a second, then to an almost scared look.
"I don't know how to get home from here." She whispered as her eyes started watering. Not wanting the girl to cry Michael tried to think of a plan. His mom wouldn't be home for a few more hours and the girl's parents would probably start looking for her before that. Remembering she was in kindergarten he reached for her backpack, turning the girl around to open it. Taped on the inside was her information, all the kindergartners had them put in their bags at the beginning of the year, just in case they wandered off. Reading the paper he saw that her full name was Carter Louise Reed, and she was only 5 years old, even for a 5 year old she was small. And she only lived a street away, it would be easy for Michael to watch over his new pet, he could know what she was doing everyday.
Hearing the clicking of heels he looked up and saw his older sister Judith walking up the sidewalk with her boyfriend Danny, the teen girl wearing a short skirt and boots, with a tight tank top. Her boyfriend was sucking on her neck as they walked, Judith giggling until she noticed Michael staring at her with a blank look. Her face dropped and then turned to rage.
"What are you doing home, dumb ass." She yelled out at him as she sped up, her boyfriend right behind her. She knew he'd tell on her to their mom, and she didn't want to be grounded again. Michael quickly grabbed Carter's hand, barely being able to yell "run" as he dragged her off the porch and around the house to the backyard. Opening the back gate they ran through the little alley behind his house, Carter lagging behind as her tiny legs struggled to keep up. Finding an opening they ran out into the street, Michael slowing down, he knew Judith wouldn't waste her time chasing him this far. Turning towards the address written in Carter's bag, Michael reached down and grabbed said girls hand, guiding her along.
"Who was that girl?" she questioned, looking up at him.
"That's my bitch sister Judith." He growled out.
Carter's eyes widened as she gasped at his language. She wasn't allowed to say bad words like that at all, she'd get soap in her mouth. Michael smirked at her surprise, she was so innocent. Carter looked up and saw her light green house in the distance, her dad just pulling in from work. The older man got out of his car and noticed her walking down the street with Michael, raising an eyebrow in questioned. The girl squealed as she let go of Michael's hand and ran up to her dad, jumping into his arms as he spun her around, giving her a kiss on the head before he sat her back down. Michael felt a tinge of jealousy at the sight, he wasn't close to his father at all.
"Who's your friend honey?" her dad questioned, looking up to examine Michael. He noted the boys bruised jaw and dark uncaring eyes, almost on edge at the thought of his little girl walking around with this boy.
"And why aren't you on the bus? And home early?" He put his hands on his hips in a joking stern manner and smiled at the girl, reaching into his car to grab his briefcase as his daughter babbled on about the days events. His eyes widened in surprise when she talked about the boy falling from the tree, not noticing Michael developing a smirk. And then the father's eyes filled when rage when she talked about her bullying experience, and then gratitude from Michael protecting his princess.
"Well that seems like a busy day baby, lets go inside and have a snack." he said as he started walking up to the front door, his daughter right behind him. She paused as she turned to ask Michael to come with them, before noticing the boy was already gone, seemingly vanishing into thin air.