CHAPTER SIX
Peter couldn't sleep. He couldn't stop thinking of Scott. He wanted to help him but how? Peter was bound by law to report the abuse to CPS. He knew that after what happened the last time Scott spoke with CPS that the hard times were just beginning.
Peter stood up and walked to the window, staring out into the night. He had spent many sleepless nights worried about his students but none as much as Scott.
He was interrupted by a knock at the door. Peter glanced at the clock – nearly one a.m.
Jeff poked his head in. "Hope I didn't wake you."
"No, I was up. What's wrong?"
"It's Scott. Caught him out of bed throwing some punches at a brick wall. I've got the nurse checking him out now. I think his hand might be broken."
"Thanks Jeff. I'll take it from here."
"There's more." He paused. "I think he's high."
Peter grabbed his coat and sprinted to the infirmary. He found Scott clutching his right hand and leaning his head against the wall.
Scott didn't acknowledge Peter's presence. Peter reached out and directed Scott's face toward his own and looked him straight in the eyes.
"What are you on?"
Scott shook free from Peter's grasp. "Thanks for your trust."
"Your eyes are bloodshot and your pupils are dilated. I can tell you're using."
"I'm not."
"You've never lied to me before."
"Then trust me."
"Not about this buddy." Peter walked to the nurse to find out if he had done a drug test. "How is he?"
"His hand is badly bruised, but not broken. He's gonna be in pain for awhile."
"Is he high?"
"I'd say so. I searched his body and Jeff is searching his belongings. Haven't found anything yet."
"How long before we can get test results?"
"Not until morning. You'll be the first to know."
"Better get tests on the rest of the Cliffhangers first thing tomorrow."
"No problem."
"Thanks." Peter walked back to Scott. "Let's go."
"Where are we going?"
"You just got a new bunk assignment."
"Oh yah?"
"Take a look at your new roommate."
Scott groaned and followed Peter back to his cabin.
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Scott was set up in a sleeping bag on the floor, but he couldn't sleep because of the pain in his hand.
"This ice pack isn't doing a thing. Can't I get something to kill the pain?"
"Sorry Scott. We don't give pills to addicts."
"I'm not an addict."
"Well, you're still not getting anything. Has this taught you anything? About how every action has a consequence?"
"It's taught me that you don't have any compassion."
Peter sighed. "Why don't you tell me what you're on and save me a phone call to the hospital?"
Scott just rolled over. "Night."
Peter didn't have to wait long for his answer. He woke Scott up with the news.
"Speed?"
There was not a trace of emotion on Scott's face. He continued to roll up his sleeping bag as if he hadn't even heard Peter.
"This is serious Scott." He still didn't receive any response from Scott. "You're going to have to face some serious consequences for your actions."
"Just tell me what my punishment is okay?"
Peter thought for a minute. "First off, for breaking curfew last night you're on kitchen duty for the next three weeks."
"Three weeks? That's ridiculous. No one gets kitchen duty that long!"
"Let's remember that being out late wasn't your only crime. Be thankful it's not longer." Scott went silent again. "Since you seem to have excess energy to burn you'll be spending all of your free time doing manual labor around the grounds. I want you to report to my office after your last class and I will give you a list of chores to be finished before you get dinner."
"For how long?"
"Until you start talking."
"Can I go now?"
"I'm not finished with your sentence yet." Scott sighed. "For lying to me last night you are to write five pages on the value of honesty."
"Five pages?"
"Front and back." Peter made sure his first punishments had sunk before adding, "And since you continue to use despite our attempts to stop you, I am doubling your individual counseling sessions to twice a day. You will continue to bunk with me until you can be trusted again and you will be administered a drug test every morning before breakfast. If you test positive, all the Cliffhangers will be tested and you'll be facing expulsion from Horizon."
Scott raised his eyebrows. "You'd send me home."
"You wouldn't be going home Scott. You'd go to jail." Peter let the last word sink in. "Now get to breakfast. You have a long day ahead of you."
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Scott arrived at Peter's office at 2:30 sharp, just after his last class of the day. "You have chores for me or what?"
"Do you have my essay?" Scott handed him his essay on honesty. Peter smiled. "Tomorrow's topic: Why Attitude is Everything."
"I have to do this again?"
"That's what I keep asking myself every time I have to punish you for breaking the rules." Peter handed Scott the list of chores and watched while he read the ten item list.
"I have to do all of this before dinner and with a bruised hand?"
"Like I said before, all actions have consequences. Think about them next time."
Scott stormed out of the office. He had no idea how he was going to finish all of these chores: chop firewood, paint the fence, haul yard waste to the dumpster, the list went on. His hand was killing him. He glanced around. No one was watching him. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small tube of toothpaste and slipped behind the shed. He squeezed the contents unto the ground and dug out the painkillers he had slipped inside. He wiped off the toothpaste as best he could and downed four at once. He smiled to himself. Wait until Peter saw how quickly he finished his chores tonight.