The subsequent week at school unfolded in a rare serenity that Zack had almost forgotten. The tranquillity wrapped around him like a comforting blanket, rendering him genuinely level-headed. Safety, a sensation he hadn't associated with the school in ages, settled in.
As he reached his locker, the sudden appearance of Alex shattered the calm. "Hey, Zack!" Alex exclaimed, causing Zack to flinch before offering a hesitant greeting. "Hi, Alex," he replied cautiously.
Noticing Zack's reaction, Alex inquired, "You okay?" Ignoring any potential response, he swiftly moved on, "Want to come to a party with Jack, Rian, and me?"
Pausing to consider the invitation, Zack's mind raced through various scenarios. "Um, where?" he finally asked, breaking an awkward silence and a forced cough from Alex.
"It's at the local park, with a small band performing for dirt cheap, like four-dollar entry," Alex explained.
Zack shook his head politely, declining, "No thanks, but thanks for the invite."
Jack joined the conversation, persistently suggesting, "Why don't we hang out at yours then?"
As Zack searched for an escape route, he replied, "Zack, we're your friends. We want to hang out with you outside of school," Rian asserted.
Attempting to convey his perspective, Zack insisted kindly, "It's a misunderstanding. I don't need or want friends. I'm perfectly capable of being alone."
Jack disagreed, asserting, "You're just being stubborn. We're friends, and we'll help you through this anxiety load."
Firmly, Zack emphasized, "I am not your friend. I'm not looking for friends. I'm just looking to get through this year and disappear from the face of the earth."
Alex stared at him open-mouthed and finally asked, "Why?" The question lingered in the air, prompting Zack to confront the deeper reasons behind his desire for solitude and detachment.
Zack grabbed his bag and walked away "non of your damn business" Zack said.
***
Zack sat in the English classroom, head on the desk as he listened to the teacher talk about the work. "I need everyone's attention today" the teacher stated "Including you Mr Merrick" the teacher added as she tapped the table Zack was on as she walked past.
Zack lifted his head from the desk, meeting the stern gaze of his English teacher. "Today, we're going to delve into an intriguing murder report," she announced, her eyes lingering on Zack for a moment longer than the rest. "This one involves a certain Martin Marshall."
As the teacher began recounting the details of the case, Zack's mind raced. Martin Marshall, a name that sent shivers down his spine. The very mention of his name filled him with an unsettling mix of fear and resentment.
The teacher continued, "The circumstances surrounding this case are quite peculiar. The suspect has managed to elude authorities for an extended period. We'll be analyzing the evidence, the motives, and the elusive nature of this fugitive."
Zack tried to maintain composure, sinking deeper into his chair. The classroom buzzed with discussions about the case, but Zack's mind was elsewhere. He couldn't escape the haunting connection to the unfolding narrative.
As the teacher distributed the case files, she fixed her gaze on Zack once more. "Mr. Merrick, are you listening."
Zack, looked up fueled by a surge of frustration, and pressed on. "Is this a good idea? You're giving a bunch of potentially vulnerable students a story about a psychopathic murderer who is still free and known to be looking for his family," he exclaimed, concern etched across his face. The teacher sighed dismissively, waving off his worries.
"Well, it's no one here," she retorted, rolling her eyes.
"How do you know? Have you met the family? Have you met him? Have you done your research?" Zack questioned, his anger palpable. "How would you know? Legally, the police, social services, and so on can't speak out about the whereabouts of the victim," he added sharply.
The teacher, taken aback by Zack's intensity, attempted to regain control. "Mr. Merrick, this is a fictional case designed to stimulate critical thinking and analytical skills. It's not about real people," she insisted, her tone condescending.
But Zack wasn't easily swayed. "Fictional or not, you can't deny the potential impact this could have on someone in this room," he argued passionately. "Imagine being in the shoes of someone who lived through something similar. It's not just a story to everyone."The room held its collective breath as Zack challenged the teacher's approach.
"We have looked into everyone's backstory and checked with parents directly to see if this will affect anyone negatively with discussing this case" She expressed.
Zack rolled his eyes "And who did you speak to in my family?" he added coldly, his hands shaking in anger.
"Well that was your mother, Helen Zack"
Zack scowled "Well I am not okay looking at this case" he said
"Any reason why? I need a valid reason"
Zack was about to snap, just spill his entire childhood out to the entire class.
"He doesn't owe anyone an explanation!" Alex snapped at their teacher after a short period of silence. "He's having a pretty obvious panic attack because of this conversation" Alex added quickly.
Zack had been struggling with the conversation, his breath was hollow and uncontrolled.
***
The teacher left Zack alone after Alex had snapped, allowing the rest of the class to focus on the work.
Alex sat beside Zack in the cafeteria "What was that about?" He questioned, as he took a bite out of the burger he had.
"What?" Zack replied confusion evident on his face. "You mean English?" He questioned. Alex nodded in response.
"Before you go crazy or whatever. I don't mean the fighting about going over the subject. I mean the Panic attacks, the constant looking over your shoulder. you seem paranoid" Alex stated.
Zack frowned 'Because I am paranoid' he thought "do I? I just have a panic disorder" Zack replied.
"right- but you still seem paranoid" Alex sighed.
"Well, I'm not," Zack replied bluntly, receiving a sigh and a nod from Alex, as he walked away.
Zack walked the opposite way as he headed to the bathroom. Zack slid down the bathroom door his head in between his legs tears fell freely.
***FLASHBACK***
Martin walked into the house, the faint smell of dried blood in the air. Blood painted the walls and ceilings. As Martin walked through the house, the smell got stronger and stronger. He gagged as he approached the kitchen, gasping for air as he choked, throwing up into the sink.
"Mr Marshall," someone said behind him. "you are under arrest for the murder of Mrs Carla Marshall and Ms Nicole Marshall" The officer started to read out his rights.
"What?!" He exclaimed as handcuffs were placed on his wrists and escorted out of the house. "Why would I kill my mother and twin?" He questioned. "what evidence do you have?"
As he was put in the back of an undercover police car and started to drive away.
***End of Flash Back***
As the final bell rang for the day Zack made his way to the front of the school, crowds of people were there, all oohing and ahhing at something, Zack rolled his eyes as he walked through the crowd. "hey! wait up" Jack said as he caught up to Zack. "we're coming around yours, whether you like it or not," Jack said bluntly.
"excuse me?" Zack hissed. "no you're not" Zack replied.
"Yes we are," Jack said "Martin" Jack added in a whisper, sending a shiver down Zack's body.
Zack rolled his eyes as he opened the car door "who's Martin?" He questioned as he leaned into the car door.
YOU ARE READING
Healing (Zalex)
FanfictionMartin Zack Marshall harbors a profound secret, one so dark it could unravel his entire existence. In fact, he's burdened with several secrets, but this particular one has the power to obliterate everything he's worked for. Now, in his final year o...
