Chapter 5: DEATH
Lauren was pleased in some ways to be back on campus. It had been a long mission, made shorter only by Tom's presence. She was desperate to have a long bath, to see her friends, and even to see her brother. After a bath, and a good nights sleep in a bed that wasn't lumpy, she went to see her brother in his room. She walked in on him watching TV by himself.
'Hey bro.' she said, waltzing over and giving him a hug. His face was slimmer and his shoulders wider. His eyes stayed transfixed on the screen. Lauren laughed.
'Why are you watching the news? You never seemed to care about what was going on before.' She asked.
'I was just flicking. But look at this!' He said, shaking his head and gesturing towards the screen. Words flicked across the bottom of the screen, spelling out what Lauren didn't want to hear.
DRUG DEALER'S SON DIES IN TRAGIC SUICIDE ATTEMPT
Those words didn't verify anything, of course, but as soon as she saw it she knew.
'No...' she said, in denial that this could happen. The middle aged female news reader explained and elaborated Tom's fate.
'A thirteen year old boy has died after hanging himself in the early hours of this morning. The boy, whose name we cannot yet release, was the son of notorious drug dealer Michael Bourne, who was recently arrested for drugs dealing charges. It is believed that the child was well liked but may have had problems with bullies.'
Lauren screamed, howled, burst into tears. She couldn't believe she was hearing this. She sobbed into James' shoulder blade. He had no idea what was going on.
'What's wrong Lauren? What?' he asked. Lauren gathered herself up, just enough to explain the problem.
'I knew him. He was... my mission... target.' She snivelled. James couldn't believe what he was hearing. His eyes welled up with sympathy. 'He... my boyfriend... love him... best friend.'
'Oh my god Lauren.' James said, shocked, unable to think of something to justify this news. 'You sure it's him?'
'Positive.' She nodded. 'Son of drug dealer, Michael Bourne. Dear god, he was so nice to me as well.'
James had killed a man. Watched people die. Seen his own mother dead. Nothing compared to the sinking feeling of death. Tom had killed himself. He had wanted to die.
The mission had led to his death, Lauren realised. She was the culprit. She had helped kill him. If it was not for her, his dad may not be in prison. He would live a normal life, without any suspicion of his father's dodgy deeds.
'I helped kill him.' Lauren whispered.