Chapter Nine: A Night In
Freddie struggled to get home. He was bleeding, and his entire body was sore. To make matters worse, his mother would no doubt want to know how he ended up in such poor shape.
The pain radiating from his legs alternated from left to right.
Left, burning pain, right, stinging pain; burn, sting, burn, sting, burn, and sting. This repetition focused his mind. Tomorrow, Jonah would be punished as well.
In the bareness of his room, Freddie cleaned himself up. His jacket, which had several tears, required some sewing. After finishing that, he forced himself to work out. It was important to keep his body strong.
Half an hour later the boy was out of breath. He went to his computer and logged on to receive an e-mail for the next meeting. No one here but Mad Dog, Big Bad Wolf, and Prairie Dog knew his true intentions. He received the first target and his heart slumped in defeat. The screen went black, shutting his room into total darkness. That was good, the light hurt his eyes. Footsteps came from the hallway.
His mother entered the room, "Freddie, we have to talk. I think that school did something to you. Can't I just get my sweet little boy back?"
"Not really. I have some bad news for you." He advanced on her menacingly.
The next day Carly was voicing her concerns to Sam, "Okay, something wonky is happening at that institute! Jonah went there too, and look at what happened to him! Are you even listening to me?"
Sam was reluctant to answer.
"Wonky, is that even a word?" Sam turned to her friend, and paused, "Carly… I think you're right. A couple of years ago, my mom tried to send me there."
She stirred her drink absently. Carly had to wait. Sam was… scared?
"That place was scary. It isn't a school, it's a ward. People there want to hurt you. I squirmed out, but… I don't want to talk about it."
Carly nodded and went online. Using the all-powerful internet (thank you Zaplook!) she discovered a prominent psychologist in the Seattle area. She sent him an e-mail requesting to meet with him.
"See Sam, all things are solved using the power of modern technology!" Carly felt a bit cold and shivered, "Now if I could just get ready for my date with Griffin."
The two went on about how hot he was, how sexy he was, and what she should wear the following night, when Spencer came in. He looked upset.
"What's up, Spence?"
"Carly, it's Mrs. Benson… there's been an accident."
Chapter Ten: Murder
The police were all over the apartment. Apparently Mrs. Benson hung herself, leaving an overly-worded suicide note. Freddie was busy answering questions. Although he was beat up, the police took his statement without question, then left.
Only one man was left in the room, "Hello, Mr. Benson, my name is Agent Bob, I have some questions for you…"
He flashed FBI identification and started asking questions. Freddie ignored the inquiries and demanded to know why this was a federal case. He also handed him his card.
"It's funny, most kids would be happy to have an agent looking into their mother's death… but you seem to be fighting me on this. You know what I think?"
"Yeah, I do. You think it's time for you to go, and you're right." Freddie gestured towards the door, "Bye."
The agent left as the door slammed behind him. He spotted a pretty brunette girl and approached her, "Hey, you Fred's girlfriend?"
She blushed, "Oh, we're just friends."
"Right…" He said this in a tone that made it obvious he did not believe her, "Do you think Freddie could kill someone?"
She looked away from his eyes. A week ago, she would have said, "no" but his behavior lately… "No, Freddie would never hurt anybody."
"Right…"