Chapter Seven - September 22nd

As Patrick watched his young charge on the phone he thought about what was going to happen to him. Patrick didn't have the foggiest idea of when he would be released. And it's not like Patrick would be around forever. He stroked his chin thoughtfully as he contemplated the future, however, his deep thought was interrupted by the children nattering over the phone. He glared at Peter, he couldn't very well glare at his daughter from this many miles away.

"Your dad he had got permission for you to visit. When will that be? Tomorrow? Oh, so that's why it's tomorrow. I wish I could - wait. I have an idea. You understand already? That's good. I'll give you something in return. I would prefer it if it was green. Thanks. I'll give you back to your dad now." He looked at Patrick and gave him the phone.

"Thanks Pete," he said, he then put his ear to the phone "Hello again Holly, what were you talking about with Peter?"
"Can't tell you, it's a secret!"
"Oh I'm sorry about that Holly, did you like him?"
"Of course I liked him, but do you think we should tell him?"
He hushed his voice "Tell him what?"
"You don't know? I suppose you wouldn't. Don't worry about it."
"Hmm... fine. I'll say goodbye now. I have to get back to my 'Duty'"
"Bye dad. Love you."
He smiled peacefully and replied "Love you too Holly."

He put his phone back into his pocket and smiled to himself again. He noticed Peter grinning craftily, he eyed Peter warily. This only cause Peter's grin to increase further. He slowly moved closer until he was right in front of Patrick.
"You said you would tell me why you were chosen." His grinned almost consumed the rest of his face.
"I am afraid that I cannot tell you without my superiors consent." Patrick parried confidently, realising the mess he had gotten himself into.
"What? It's not like he'll know you told me."
Patrick though about what to say desperately, while keeping up his confident façade. He decided to play his trump card early"Why should I even have to tell you? Don't you know already?"
Peter blushed, he was speechless, for the first time in his life, speechless.
"You're still too young to fence with me, lad. Practice a bit and we'll try again."

He walked off, holding back the relief he felt until he had exited the room. Upon closing the door he sighed deeply, praying that Peter couldn't hear him. Time to report, he thought.

He reached the room and stepped inside quietly, he closed the door as quietly as possible and locked it. He went and sat down. David walked in and sat down opposite to him.
"Hey Dave, what did you want to talk about?"
"I told you, call me Colonel Reynolds." He spoke in a mocking tone. "We're here to talk about the project. How is Peter?"
"He's doing quite well. He's quite funny, he's managed to inherit your sense of humour. You should be proud."
"I'm not a very good father am I?" he was gloomy this time "How are things going with your daughter?"
"They're very good thanks to you. Thank you so much for convincing him to let her come."
"Come on Pat, how could I let her miss her dad's birthday? I'm not going to, I am coming with you. No matter what you say."
"I want you to, but the next day, you're taking my place with Pete. That sound good to you?"
He mock-saluted him "I'll try my hardest, sir"

Chapter Six - Convenient Connection

Peter laughed. It was really fun to annoy Patrick. Easy too, as if he wanted to be annoyed. He contemplated the man for a moment. He decided he was not who he appeared to be, but this time he had to use his perceptive skills to understand that. Not his 'ability'. Just who was this man anyway? Patrick smiled. An irrational thought crossed his mind, I swear I'm the psychic here.

Patrick looked at him thoughtfully, his eyes sparkled mischievously. His lip quivered as if he was going to break out laughing. He patted Peter on the head and looked into his eyes, twinkling like the emeralds they were.
However, the usual gruff, accented Patrick returned, with a new mysterious glory as he said "Did I ever tell you why they chose me for this job?"
"No, will you tell me now?"
"I will, after this."
"After what?" At that moment his phone rang. His smiled flashed again, as if winking at him. As the seconds went by Peter's curiosity grew tenfold. There had never been anything he hadn't know instinctively, but now an immense barricade stood in front of him. It was taunting him.

"Hey, how're you?" he started "Good, thank you. What have you been up to in school lately? Tests? Oh God, I hated them so much, at least it's only you suffering them. Sorry, sorry, couldn't resist. Oh so you heard? Yeah, I managed to get permission for you to visit me. It's because they said I can't leave this guy alone. What? You want to talk to him? Fine... leave me out." He held out the phone to Peter "Here you go, my daughter wants to speak to you."

He took the phone and placed it to his ear "Hello..?"
"Heya! You're Peter right? Peter Brooks?"
He giggled and uttered his trademark introductory line "Yes, I'm happy you memorised my name already. We can be best of friends now. May I inquire as to your name?"
He could tell she was smiling "Holly..." His heart pounded "Holly Baker"

Chapter Five - Detention

"Do you understand what you've done wrong Peter?"
"Absolutely nothing, you're the one the one that's wrong," his cold glare struck her harder than a blow, he continued "I wasn't bullying her. You know that. You just want it to be me. I stay on my own. I don't talk to anyone. You know that."

The teacher was dumbstruck, she opened her mouth, only to shut it again. The boy observed her icily. Judging she had nothing left to say, he left.

Outside the classroom, three boys lay in wait. As Peter exited the room, they pounced.
"I was sure you was gonna get it this time." The leader whined
"I... would advise your silence. Do you wish for me to enlighten your friends as to your bedtime misadventures?"
They stared at him blankly. Peter leant over and whispered in the leader's ear. He went bright red.
His most intelligent friend backed him up. He was brimming with confidence "There's no way, that our boss, has something as, um... convenient as that to scare him off. Right boss?"
The leader blushed.

Peter rose from his sleep. He checked the time. Too early, he thought. He quickly returned to his slumber.

Peter headed for his private corner in the class. On his way he met the hostile looks from almost everyone in the class. It was his fault, he knew that, he was too scary in their eyes. That was only because of his. Though he acknowledged that it was his fault, he couldn't help but feel hurt by it, so he stayed in his corner during any free time he had.

As he reached it he noticed something amiss. He took a step in and looked precisely 52 degrees to the right. A small girl sat there. The new girl in his class. Transferred in only yesterday.

He crouched and spoke in a low voice "What are you doing here?"
"They weren't being nice to me. But they weren't being nice to you either. So I hid here. I not know this was your spot. Sowwy"
"It's fine Holly." She wasn't listening, she was looking into his eyes. "Don't look at my eyes, please. You won't be happy if you do."
"But I like them. So pwetty. Remind me of mommy's eyes. My mommy's eyes are dark and pwetty like yours." She smiled, the first smile Peter had ever received.
"You can stay for today. I might make you leave. But you can stay until I do."

He smiled in his sleep and turned over. His smile was soon distorted.

"I'm afraid, Mrs. Brooks, that your son is to be expelled. He bullied one Holly Williams and refused to comply with our teaching staff." the headmaster explained.

...

As Peter left the school the only people that paid him any recognition were the trio who hated him most. They merely taunted him and stuck their tongues out at him. The other was Holly, she had been shouting at her mother(the one who had lodged the complaint). As he neared the school gate Holly ran and embraced him, crying. He smiled and told her to go back to her mother.

As soon as he reached home he wept.

Chapter Four - Melting Eyes

This would be the second session they would have together. Patrick carried his and Brooks' meals. Better than the food he usually got. He knocked on the door and the boy inside yelped in surprise. Usually Brooks' got his food through a flap in the door.
"I'm coming in." Patrick called as he opened the door. He walked into the room and laid the food upon the table. Patrick then turned to regard Peter. The sight confused him.

Tears glistened in Peter's eyes as he said "Thank you for coming back. No-one else has ever come back." Patrick almost cried when the boy said that. It was the first time he'd seen emotions reach his eyes.
Patrick looked at the boys features quickly. He had dark grey eyes and long, dirty blond hair. He had a light build but it seemed sturdy. Patrick himself had green eyes and cropped blond hair. But his build was completely different, he was incredibly muscular.
"How old are you Peter?" He felt like a primary school teacher. He placed some mashed potatoes into his mouth.
"...um ... I was eight when I first came here... that was in... 2012?" It almost sound like a question how he said it.
"You'd be eleven now. Depending on when your birthday is. I really though you were older. You certainly look it."
"Being alone does that to you." He spoke grimly, a dark look had re-entered his face.
Patrick looked around for a way out, he found none.

He confronted it head on "Don't worry kid, you have me now. Think of me as a really funny and cool uncle." he waited for a moment "I'm sorry Peter, but whatever you're imagining isn't as cool or as funny as me, try harder." Peter giggled in delight.

...

"How's the Psychic?" Reynolds inquired
"He's... strange. One minute he's more mature than I am, the next he's playing with Power Ranger toys. It's quite worrying. Especially to think that he's probably smarter than me." Patrick confessed
"You'll get used to it."
"How can you know that, sir?"
"I don't, but I've always wanted to try my hand at this comforting business. Did it work?"

I'm probably going to lengthen this a bit... I did it in a rush.

Chapter Three - Empty Space

Drip, drip, drip. The only sound he heard. The real sound has ceased hours ago, but in his mind it was all the sound that could ever exist. But it had stopped and he couldn't accept it. It meant one thing, one of his men was dead.

Drip, drip, drip.

He sat up, gasping. Three days ago he had lost his newest subordinate. A soldier more innocent than any other. A soldier seeing his first time in real combat. A soldier not stained by any blood, but his own.

Today was when he would be receiving his punishment. He expected to be discharged. He made the solemn walk to his superiors office, shivering with fearful anticipation. The empty space around him only served to enforce his solitude.

As he entered the office he noted the two officers who would be informing him of his punishment. He gasped as he recognise them. General Cobb and Colonel Reynolds sat at the desk. They regarded him gravely.

General Cobb was a man that everybody liked, but no-one really trusted. Colonel Reynolds was respected and trusted, but there were a lot of bitter feelings for him, due to his sternness.
"Sirs, if I may, I'd like to ask what men of your stature are doing at the announcement of my punishment. I'd also like to ask why I didn't have a hearing."
"It is not your place to ask." Reynolds snapped
"Colonel," Cobb spoke in placating manner "We're here due to the nature of your punishment."
"What of it, sir?"
"You'll be checking up on him." Reynolds barked
"Who, sir?"
"Forgive the colonel for being so vague. He means the psychic."

...

Later, as he headed towards the room of his charge, he mulled over the warnings about the so-called psychic. His girlfriend had demanded he phone her afterwards. He didn't mind, it reassured him that she cared.

He stopped outside the door for a moment. Patrick tapped on the door. The boy started to sob uncontrollably. "I don't want that boy in my class! His eyes are scary!"

Chapter Two - What is he like?

It was quite disconcerting, Patrick thought, for anyone to cry like that. It was even worse that it seemed to know that I'm scared.

Patrick stepped into the room and looked straight into the eyes of it. Its face was calm and composed, despite the tear streaks left on its face.
"Welcome," a chilling voice oozed from its lips "to my humble home."
A standard, and seemingly unperturbed, voice answered "You would be... Brooks, right? Peter Brooks?"
"Yes, I'm happy you memorised my name already, Patrick. We can be best of friends now."
"Stop being so sarcastic. Now, I'm sure you knew this already, but we are going to be seeing a lot more of each other from now on. I will be coming here a few times a day to relieve your loneliness." Brooks' eyes went flat at the word. "Or as my superiors put it, 'Checking up on you'. I hope I am a sufficient victim for your sarcasm."
"I can't wait for our talks to start..." He grinned, and for a moment Patrick thought that this boy was happy.
He then saw that the smile was still worlds away from his eyes.

...

After about an hour Patrick left the room sighing. What a strange lad, was the first thought that crossed his mind. He hoped that the boy hadn't realised he was only there because it was his punishment. He had only just met the boy and he was already emphasizing with him. But he thought that knowing why he was there would only hurt him. And he just couldn't bear seeing those eyes any sadder. I guess he's kinda cute in a way, he grinned to himself.

Time to fulfil his promise, he thought, at least it gave him an excuse to call. He picked up the phone and dialled his girlfriend's number.
"Hello?"
"Hey, it's me. I'm still alive after dealing with that evil monster you were so scared of."
"What was it like?"
"He's not an it actually, he was ok, seemed quite bitter about being left alone for so long though."
"Well he is a psychic, they aren't really human."
"Human enough. Believe me, I had the same viewpoint as you before I talked to him. He's a nice guy. Funny."
"Send me a picture of him next time."
"Sure, why not? Don't fall too deep in love with him though. I don't like feeling jealous."
After a while they said their goodbyes and prepared for another aeon without contact. He headed to his room to contemplate the next few months of his new job.

Chapter One - Cell

It was their first day coming to a class. The children were shy at first, but eventually they opened up to each other. It was bright, sunny and seemingly perfect. A car parked outside and the children went quiet, their teacher inquired what was wrong, but not a sound was heard in reply. An eerie silence grew ever colder as the car door opened and the footsteps grew closer. Tap. Tap. Tap tap. The teacher flinched at each sound. She eventually gathered the courage to go to the door. It opened as she reached out for it.

The beautiful weather was in stark contrast to the small boy's features. Dark and cold, yet they had a curious spark which conveyed understanding beyond the realm of logical possibility. He looked through the teacher to the board.
“Uninteresting.” he uttered and sat down without further ado.
His eyes are terrifying, the teacher couldn't help but think. Immediately the boy raised his hand “Ms. Can I ask you a question?” He moved on without the answer “What does terrifying mean?”

His eyes open slowly, and they sound of his former teacher's crying slowly faded away. He rubbed his eyes and reached out into the gloom. He fumbled around for the light. As the room lit up, he sighed. He was still in the same desolate, leaden cell as always. He looked around the cell at what he had been provided with. A cold lonely breakfast was sitting upon his table. As he ate the cold bacon and eggs, he said to himself grumpily “They could at least wake me up.”

Unfortunately, the only thing that answered him was the room itself, and it was little more than mimicry. He finished the meal and made sure he didn't leave anything. Strange, he thought, I cannot even bear leaving food on its own now. He curled up on his bed and began reading his new book, he found the outside fascinating, but he never had until he'd lost contact with it. He felt forlorn as if he had lost his very best friend. He knew he would never see it again.

The light flickered, and each time it did, the darkness encroached upon him. He closed his book and laid it down on his bedside table. He grasped the remote and the power flicked on. He attempted to watch his recordings of Mock the Week. Upon this failure the boy turned off the television and lay down.


Tap. Tap. Tap tap. The sound from the metallic door broke the reclusive silence. It tore at his ears and the boy cried. “I don't want him in my class!” the child sobbed “His eyes are scary!”

The taps came once more. He tore at his eyes, the boogeyman had come for him. His mommy and daddy had always told him, but he had never listened. A feeling came to him. He stopped crying. The man had calmed his fear, he felt hesitation, but it wasn't his.
“You can come in now,” he called confidently “I won't bite.”

I'll try and get the next chapter up ASAP for those that care.