The Eraser

Relief

"How are you, Jack? The school phoned up and said that they had let you out of school early because of some incident in your Chemistry class. You have to tell me all about it."

"I don't want to. I want to go upstairs and for you to leave me alone for once!"

"Look, Jack, I know it has been hard for you ever since Dad died but please just tell me what is wrong. You've been acting suspicious all week and I'm worried. Whatever it is just know that you can trust me and tell me the truth. I'm your mother for goodness sake I deserve to know wouldn't you think?"

"It's nothing Mum. You know what, I'm really sorry I shouldn't have spoken to you in that tone of voice it was rude of me. I'm going to go upstairs and do um . . . homework."

"I thought you had finished it, Jack. Tell me exactly what's going on and tell me now. No more screens until you do so."

"Well, you should know. You said that you knew everything. Eyes on the back of your head. Ring a bell? Or were you just lying? You know, you've been lying to me about a lot of things haven't you. How can I trust you anymore? What if Dad isn't really dead."

"Go to your room. I don't want to see you again all night boy. ALL NIGHT I SAID! GET OUT OF MY SIGHT YOU . . ."

Jack didn't hear the rest. He chose not to. It was all too much for him. A weight of anxiety was falling onto him like a brick wall and was slowly crushing him. His mum's heart was fragile and he knew it didn't take much for it to break. Not much at all. She broke inside every time Jack brought up mum and he knew it. Now it was his turn to break. Not for the first time that week he was feeling as weak as could be. His legs were jelly struggling to keep himself upright because of his troubles crashing down on him like a 100kg dumbbell.

Death. Anger. Defeat. These were the emotions that Jack felt at the moment. As if you are the only person who did something wrong and you're left alone in detention. As if you are dying slowly but you don't notice it until the very last strike. As if you're Jack.

Jack was on a roller coaster of emotions and was about to go down. He had done loop the loops trying to figure out what was happening only to find he wasn't doing enough. Jack wished the roller coaster would break off from its circuit and tumble down to the ground. Jack didn't see the point of living anymore. He was only doing it to save his friends.

This time Jack collapsed onto his bed. Tears welled up into his eyes as he finally lay down to rest hoping that the morning would never come. To his disappointment, it did.