Dreamcatcher

Chapter Fifty-Five: Breaking Point

Trigger warning: suicide, depression 

It was chilly that Tuesday morning. 

Clark had been waiting patiently outside of the dormitories, hidden around a corner, watching the yard for his step-father to appear and wander elsewhere. He'd spent weeks studying David's routine: stalking him whenever he could in order to determine the best outcome for whenever Clark decided to do something irresponsible; most of which recurred around visiting his girl friends in the girl's dormitory. 

He'd never been one to do this, but smoking had become a habit of Clark's. He was well aware that his girlfriend did it occasionally, but since the start of the month, Clark had picked up on the habit and would smoke whenever he could - purely for stress relief and his anxiety. 

After nearly three-quarters of an hour of waiting, Clark finally spotted his bossy step-father wander away from the dormitory towards the main building. Once he was almost out of sight, Clark dropped his cigarette onto the floor and stomped on it, thoroughly extinguishing it with the sole of his foot before he pranced inside the girl's dormitory, explicitly breaching the dormitory guidelines. 

Clark Price knew the trouble he'd get into if he were spotted, which was why he was extra cautious making his way around without disturbing any girls in their room or crossing paths with girls unfamiliar to his routine. He'd made sure there was not an audible sound in the halls as he made his way through towards the end rooms, particularly Kate's and Max's. 

He decided to approach Kate's room first. Standing outside Room 222, Clark tapped his knuckles on the door and waited to be called inside. 

"Come in," a shrill voice spoke. 

Wrapping his hand around the door handle, Clark twisted it and pushed on the door, allowing himself to enter the untidy, morbid room before closing it behind him. 

"Hey Kate." Clark waved. 

The blonde girl perked up and looked over her shoulder, spotting her friend standing at the door. Joyfully, Kate sprung up on her feet and calmly walked over to Clark to hug him. 

"Hi, Clark. I'm so glad you're here." 

"I'm sorry I didn't visit you in the past couple of days. I've been... busy with something." 

Kate frowned as she broke the hug. 

"Is it about David Madsen again?" She asked concerningly. 

"Oh, no, no. I'm not worrying about him right now. Although, now that you mention it, I think I'm getting closer to finding out what he's hiding in the garage. Problem is, it's hidden in a cupboard with a padlock - can't figure out the right sequence to unlock it." 

"You'll figure it out. I know you will." 

Clark let an amused exhale and smiled comfortingly at Kate. 

"Enough about me. How are you holding up, Katie?" 

The weak smile on Kate's face dropped, returning to her grim façade. 

"I'm not feeling any better. I'm so scared to leave my room, Clark. I feel so frightened of being seen; afraid to go outside and face people. Even Mr Jefferson or Mr Wells won't help me. But you can... I know you can. You're always here for me." 

"Oh, Kate..." Clark sighed on an exhale. "I truly wish I could do something to make everything never happen. If I could only just..." 

Kate furrowed her brows together and folded her arms across her chest. "Just what, Clark?" 

He pursed his lips and shook his head dismissively at the thought. He noticed a stray tear run down her cheek and raised his hand up to catch it before it could reach her jawline. When she realised it was a tear, she shied away and walked back over to her desk and slumped down in it. Clark followed her over and knelt down on one knee, resting his hand on her shoulder for comfort.