Power - a confession by Carl

When the swimming arena lights switched on, Mrs. Powers felt as if this day was what she had been waiting for her entire life, even before she had Carl. She was so proud of him - everything that he had gone through to get to where he is now. Champion swimmer.

Today was his big day.

I honestly feel guilty for what I said to him earlier. Little MorMor. He looked pretty upset, I mean, he didn't look upset but you just know, you know, after sitting next to him for the past 6 months. His eyes become the scariest black. He is so weird. He's always alone during recess and he sits on the floor for Gods sake! What kind of sane person would sit on the cafeteria floor? He never listens or talks in class but he is a bloody genius. Highest in the form. That's right! The only time he opened his mouth ( not talk because he was speaking, randomly) was to mention the only person who beat him. And I was wondering whether it hurt, and he looked me in the eyes and said he beat me at everything. I realized he wasn't talking about semester tests or a possible fistfight. Because when he said everything, he sounded like the devil. His voice... It gave me gooseflesh. And after that, he never stopped talking about him. That Sherlock Holmes character.

Drawing webs on his table, he would mutter, He's a spider just like me... He went on and on and God was he infatuated. Like a man possessed he would rant. I thought MorMor was O.K when his mouth was shut but recently, I hated him more than Sherlock Holmes. I had to stop him. And he threatened to kill me if I told Sherlock or anybody else. But I had to, you see. I was so scared. I had to make this tape. I had to tell myself at least, if not anyone else.

Jim wished me luck before my big swim. It was terrifying the way he could change the subject so easily like the previous topic didn't even exist. I told him to bugger off.

I see mom waving at me from the audience. She's beaming. I beam back. She didn't get to hug me before the big swim, maybe I'll do it later. After I win.

When the swimming arena lights switched off, Sherlock Holmes entered with his torchlight. There had to be a reason. Things cannot be without a reason. Think. Think.

His shoes, Carl shoes are missing. They aren't even in is locker. The bloody police are so blind sometimes. Correction: eternally blind.

He rummaged through what was left of the evidence that wasn't taken by the authorities yet. He summarized his findings. Mental note: Carl was eczematic. Medication : consumed. Eczema symptoms: severe judging by the presence of empty azathioprine containers. An immunosuppressant drug. Side effects...

Sherlock paused as he reexamined the empty bottles of Carl's medication.

Several hours earlier,

"Must be a big day for you today, huh?"

Carl noticed the shorter form beside him. He snorted and pretended not to listen. "Why, is it a big day for Sherly too?"

Jim smiled. "Yes, I think it is. You haven't seen him around have you?"

Carl's vein pulsed. "So guys can finally get married? Send my regards."

Jim's smile turned sour. "I want to kill him, Carl."

The first time Jim said the word 'Carl'.

The bigger boy turned so he finally faced little MorMor.

"I thought I was the first on your list," he said sarcastically.

Jim's eyebrow tilted upwards. His lips were smiling.

"Jealous, Powers? Or is that sarcasm? It must indeed be a big day for you today."

"I'm not afraid of you."

"We both know you are. And Carl?"

Carl was already walking away.

"Good luck. And stop talking to that blasted recorder. It's terribly unhealthy."

Carl didn't hear. He was too busy thinking about the next time he was going to hug his mother.

It was poisoned. His excema medication. Poisoned. Sherlock moved away from his microscope. Today was Carl's big day and he didn't even know it.

Today was the day he died.