'Psycho Serial Killer Unfit To Stand Trial.'
"Have you seen it?"
Despite the coolness of the weather, Bart grabbed a Jacket, pulled up the hood and followed Mercedes out the door. He couldn't be doing with the whispers, the sly glances that were in fact really obvious and the constant mutterings as he entered or left a room. The prospect of going to college made him feel sick to the pit of his stomach, but he was going crazy looking at the same four walls, running over the same question in his head.
'Should I call him?'
It had been a while. Nearly eighteen months. It was very unlikely he had even heard. It was only local news after all, and with Riyle probably still in bed he probably didn't have a clue. What is it they say? Ignorance is bliss. Maybe keeping this delightful nugget of information to himself was actually the best thing to do. But from a purely selfish point of view…it would have been nice to hear his voice, to know he was okay, that he was finally who he wanted to be.
'No I'll wait. Give Riyle a chance to speak to them first. Besides we have Mercy to keep an eye on.'
Thankfully his feet had been travelling on autopilot as his brain was less than engaged in the physical journey he or rather Mercedes was making. He'd been ordered to keep an eye on her and considering his recent fall from grace, he had no intention of messing this up. She seemed to be heading towards the park at the back of the village. He had no idea why she would be going there. He wished she'd change direction and head to the shops, that way he could loan some fags off her. Then it occurred to him, she was heading there to be alone. The McQueen house usually like a zoo had been deathly quiet this morning. The silence had been so alien Bart had woken up convinced he had gone deaf. He'd wandered downstairs and switched on the news. Then he'd seen it and he'd understood. There was simply nothing to say. Nothing that would make this better. They wanted it to go away. Be over and done with so they could move on with their lives.
"You came?"
Bart ducked out of sight as Mercedes and then Lindsay glanced around to check they were alone.
"You didn't think I would?"
"Well I know you'd do anything for a fag."
Mercy quipped.
"I told you I'm giving up…soon. Give us one then. Lindsay nudged her playfully. Are you okay?"
"Yeah why wouldn't I be?"
Mercy shot back defensively.
"I know you've seen it."
"Has Riyle?"
"I don't know. Are you okay?"
"Yeah, sure."
"It's okay to be upset, to be angry."
Lindsay clasped her hand and squeezed it comfortingly.
"Why? That's not going to help owt. I could have told you he was crazy months ago. We all could."
"This is different. Not standing trial. It means…it'll be more difficult to get closure."
"I don't know. Not seeing him again. Not having to relive that nightmare…she shivered involuntarily. We can start to move on. We should go and see Riyle before he sees the paper."
"Yes. You're right. Can you spare me another fag?"
"That depends. When are you giving up again?"