Fairmoore

2

Augustus looks up, shielding his eyes from the sun. His eyes scan the student dorms from the outside, landing on what was Barth's room only yesterday. He can see police tape through the window.

Bartholomew often smoked a cigarette from the ledge of his window. He opened it wide, leaning outside so the smoke would waft into the air, not wanting to catch any unwanted attention from lurking teachers.

Augustus pictures Bartholomew last night, taking a long draw of his cigarette, leaning too far out the window. That's what Augustus chooses to think about.

An accident. It was an accident.

Classes have been called off for the rest of the day and a formal school assembly was to take place this afternoon. That meant Augustus could go back to his room and just think.

Think, think, think.

He makes it up three flights of stairs, searching for his room key in the front of his slacks. His school shirt itches at his neck and he tugs it away aggressively. A bead of sweat rolls down his back.

As he goes to turn the key in the lock, he notices a sheet of paper folded and stuck to his door. His name is scrawled across it in big, block letters.

His back prickles and he turns suddenly, expecting someone to be standing behind him. No one is there.

Hastily, he unlocks his door, grabs the note and slams himself inside. His breathing is laboured as he throws his keys onto his bed. The room is eerily silent and he knows that if he doesn't keep his mind busy, the memory will resurface.

Barth had asked Augustus to come meet him in his room. When Gus arrived, he opened the door without knocking.

Hey, Barth, Augustus said.

'No,' Augustus clenches his fists now, bringing them to the sides of his head. He tries to suppress the memory with great failure.

Bartholomew watches Gus closely. He is holding something in his hands.

Gus had moved further into the room, frowning. He becomes aware of the anger that is radiating from Barth. He had never seen him angry before. Not in the many years they had been friends.

Gus unfolds the note in front of him now, skimming his eyes over the page. He lets out a violent sob.

I know what you did, it reads. I saw everything.