Chapter 9
Sometimes things don't go as planned. I remember mentioning that my plan was foolproof, but I didn't think about how I would move out.
I hear the clock strike nine at night, and mum is watching TV. Brandon is in his room, doing something and I'm still stuck in the basement. It has been two weeks of being a prisoner in this dark cellar, and I miss Tom and Samantha badly. I hope they are fine and not worrying too much about me, as I'll be running away anytime soon. The mum I knew is clearly gone, as she has forgotten many times to give me food. I feel tempted to break into my stash of food for my life on the run, with the troubling emptiness of my stomach, but I command my mind to force this temptation down.
I decide to pick the lock tomorrow night and run away before anyone puts two and two together. Mum thinks that I'm too obedient and loyal to make such a drastic move that only rebellious kids would dream of. I don't know about Brandon, but I figure that he can find his own way. I don't know what to do with him. I can't take him along as he can get violent and draw attention, as I have witnessed many times. To make decisions quickly especially as a fugitive requires a cool collective mind and personality. I can stay calm if I want to, given that my limits are not being tested excessively as Cato did.
My thoughts are interrupted by a sudden slam of the door. Mum stalks in drags me out and throws me some clothes. "You wear this or else I'll kill you." she threatens before storming upstairs to get Brandon ready. Ready for what? I have no idea until dad himself comes in. He looks gruff but focused on doing something frightening that I don't know. "We need to talk." he says. Apparently, he had somehow sobered up and come to his senses. The divorce thingy I heard from my friends was some trumped-up tale of neighbour who got all the details wrong. Dad left because he had heard of some kind of special program for us which could help Brandon and I. He had to make some arrangements for the program. I don't know how he and mum agreed on the matter, but something tells me that mum only agrees on matters concerning discipline and stern methods like caning and whatsoever. This can't be good.
Later the door bell rings and dad opens the door to invite an officer-like guy named Billy. He looks just like a US Marine with big muscles and all, wearing a khaki uniform. Billy refuses all offers of tea or coffee and goes straight to the point.
He says to dad in a crisp but official voice, "I know you made some wrong choices in life even as an adult, but I'm glad you made the right one by contacting us at the Union." "What union?" I ask. "Hush! don't interrupt the officer!" mum whispers sharply.
"Young man, you should learn some manners." Billy says in a pompous way. "Where I come from, you learn things the hard but effective way. I'm from Star Union, a special school for kids and youths alike who think they are too smart, but are not. They do have the potential however, but they don't know how to use it. Like you, lad." His eyes are on Brandon. "Your dad got me your records and Camp Stag, the correctional institution you got sent to is a branch of Star Union. I tell you that Camp Stag is kindergarten compared to Star Union, as the government handles it like crap. That's why you get in, get out and treat your parents like crap or go out selling weed or something like that. But we don't at Union. At Union, we will train you and teach you to be obedient children so that your parents won't have to break their backs. Take a look at this."
Billy opens up a large file and I peer at the photos in it. Rows of obedient kids doing drills, sit-ups and push-ups. Boys going on long road marches and playing football in the Junior League. But the thing that frightens me is that how emotionless those boys look. How blank and empty their eyes are, void of emotion. Although the Star Union thing looks interesting and could save me from a horrid life at home, I'm not going to escape from the lion only to run into an alligator.
"No thanks. I'm not going." I say. "Why is that so, young man?" Billy asks. "Do they look happy going there?" I say. "Please excuse my son," mum says briskly. "he is a very rebellious brat. He fights in school and even injured his school mate last week." "Rebellious?" Suddenly anger pulses through my veins. "Rebellious? You call me a rebel?!" I snarl, not believing what my own mum has said about me. I've been called pretty much every foul word ever known to man by mum but this is enough. "Hey young man," Billy says sternly. "It's up to your parents to decide and not you. You better hold your tongue or we'll hold it for you at Star."
Turning to dad, Billy says, "Well, sir. One thing I can promise you that if you decide to send both of your sons to Star Union, they will not only be changed for the better in terms of attitude and discipline, but there will be a 50% discount, that is if you decide to send them NOW."
It takes mum and dad five seconds to say, "Very well."
It takes two seconds for Brandon to pounce on them like a mad tiger broken out of its cage, roaring, "You can't send me there! I'll die there like i almost did."
I leap away to avoid myself from getting hurt. The next moments are chaotic. Apparently Billy had friends waiting outside, as I see strong youths in khaki bounding in to restrain Brandon and dragging him away to goodness knows where. I don't know if it's even legal, but it's happening. Billy gives a big sigh of relief and says, "You're not calling the cops, are you?"
"No sir." dad says.
"Don't worry, we get that kind of case every time. Rebellious kids on the verge of anarchy fighting back physically to get what they want. But we'll teach them that it's not the right thing to do. Such children will have to learn things the hard way. For such severe cases, we'll charge nothing."
"Thanks." mum mutters. "Don't thank me. I hate to see children act like hooligans." Billy says. "And your younger boy, will he come along?"
"When do I go?" I try to sound willing, not wanting to be the next one to be dragged out or to have another fracas break out again.
"Tomorrow."