Bully

Chapter 18

  “Your Father’s in France,” He answered curtly, and I was suddenly aware of everyone shifting uncomfortably around me, as if they knew that wasn’t the whole truth. My eyes narrowed – apparently everyone knew apart from me. The only person who didn’t look on edge was Gabrielle, who was sat there with a sly grin on her face as she reclined in her chair and twirled her knife delicately.  I hoped she’d drop it and impale herself but no such luck.

  “Really? So why is everyone talking about him as if he was dead?” I challenged, aware of a sharp edge to my voice. Bad move. Bugs’ eyes flashed with a mixture of anger and insanity as he pushed back his chair and slammed his fists against the table, even surprising Gabrielle.

   His nostrils flared and I was aware that everyone had taken an uneasy step backwards apart from me – I was standing my ground. “Don’t question me child!” He roared, causing me to flinch from the venom and hardness of his voice.

  Suddenly the anger melted off his face and he collapsed back into his chair with an unnatural smile tugging on his closely shaven jaw. “Why don’t you go home and think about your case?  Chief will work on hacking the police systems to get a profile on Moseby,”

  I blinked in shock at the sudden change of mood. Everyone else seemed used to his bi-polar attitude though and seemed indifferent to his now cheery tone. The man who had teased me earlier in the kitchen nodded and grabbed the letter from Moseby before tucking it in his jacket and I assumed he was Chief. He had a big build, not as burly and strong as Brawn, but still a guy I wouldn’t like to get in a fight with. His face was completely different to his thick body though – he almost seemed like the typical nerd I had so often beat up in the school corridors. Chief had dark hair that was styled in a kind of Superman hairdo, with thick glasses rimming his intelligent blue eyes. I briefly wondered why he was called Chief because so far, apart from Gabrielle, everyone seemed to have nicknames that suited a part of their character.

  “What you waiting for, Bloodhound?” Gabrielle prompted, enjoying my sudden hesitation due to Bugs’ behaviour. I chewed my lip viciously as she called me that. I hoped that wouldn’t catch on. Most of the people I had met had nicknames – Rogue, Brawn, Chief – and I sure didn’t want mine to be Bloodhound. I didn’t want to be constantly reminded of that vile red liquid which had oozed out of my uncles dying flesh. “Do you need Brawn to hold your hand?” she taunted further, the smirk evident in her tone. “Or maybe you’re waiting for Daddy to come back and protect you?”

  “Gabrielle!” Bugs snapped, clearly disapproving the mention of my further. Obediently, she didn’t make any further snide comment however the smug look on her face was left undisguised.

  My fists balled up with suppressed rage but I decided to ignore her. I knew better than to bite the bait when someone threw out the line for you – I had purposely took digs at innocent people for a reaction too.

  Irritated by her smug face, I turned to focus my attention on Chief. “How long will it take to get a profile on Moseby?” I quizzed. He regarded me with an amused expression, as if he knew how annoying Gabrielle was. That came as a relief to me – at least I wasn’t the only person who received her attitude.

  Chief shrugged as he mulled over the question. “Give me a day and I’ll have everything down to his shoe size,” He replied confidently.