Carnifex || Edward Cullen

00

Marcus Shakerly knew that it was trouble when he opened the door to see the flashing red and blue lights of a police cruiser pulled up on the gravel drive. It's lights far too bright in the dark. He sighed in exhaustion as he came face to face with the man on the porch. Charlie Swann gave him a glance up and down and the ensuing sigh was far deeper than Marcus' own. "Hello Marcus", Charlie greeted. His tone grim and familiar.

Marcus shifted, closing the door slightly so that the police chief would not see the mess that was the living room. Charlie Swann gave him a pointed look which said that he was not buying it. If Marcus was more sober, then maybe he should feel more shame about the bottles littering the floor. Weeks worth cluttering the sides. "What did he do this time?" He grunted.

He peered at the car but it was too dark to see inside properly without his glasses but he knew who was cuffed in the backseat. If he squinted then he could make out a small figure, head bowed. Not even glancing at the house. That stung a bit and he turned back to Charlie.

"He broke into a car and took it for a joyride round town. He crashed it into a lamppost outside the diner. It belonged to the Newtons. They're pressing charges", he stated. "I can't keep him out of Juvie this time. I'm sorry".

Marcus exhaled harshly. "Stupid foolish boy. Fuck". He slammed his hand into the doorframe and the resounding thud was far more satisfying than the ensuing throbbing pain. He shook out his hand, gritting his teeth. "How long?" He hissed.

"He'll probably get between eighteen months to two years". Charlie watched him nurse his throbbing hand for a second before he let out a sigh and his shoulders sagged. Pity and empathy filling his gaze. "Look. Marcus. I can put a word in and try to get his senate shortened but that's all I can do. I know that you're both struggling since Alicia passed but this cannot continue".

"No. Don't give me that shit", Marcus growled, suddenly enraged. "You can just fuck off Swann. And tell him boy that he's unwelcome here".

Charlie Swann raised his hands as if trying to calm down a feral animal. "Marcus. Marcus. You know that's alcohol talking. You can't really mean that".

"I said fuck off!" The door slammed shut with the resounding bang that seemed to echo through the night.

Chief of Forks police Charlie Swann sighed again and ran a hand over his face. When he turned towards the car his eyes fell on the pale face staring out of the window. He hoped that the boy had not heard the conversation but from the unsurprised look in his eyes, he knew that the teenager at least expected it. That felt like another weight in his shoulders. Charlie never enjoyed sending children to juvie but when their crimes added up, the system took hold.

The boy watched him climb back into the passenger seat and there was a moment of heavy silence as Charlie settled. Both wondering how to break it. "Look, kid"-

"He told you to fuck off. Didn't he?" The tone was dull, bored. "I supposed he said that I was not allowed to come home".

"Something along those lines". There was no use hiding it. "How much is he drinking?"

Charles Shakerly shrugged. "A bottle a day? Depends on what he's drinking. You taking me to juvie?"

"Afraid so kid". The car rumbled back to life. "With your record, you can't escape it this time. I could try and talk to the judge. See if I could get you a reduced sentence".

"Don't".

Charlie thought he misheard. Too busy concentrating on turning the car around to face the road. "Pardon?"

"Don't. I'll do the time. The Newtons won't let me get away with anything less anyway", he let out a laugh that was more sad than funny.

The cruiser pulled onto the main road and began to drive back towards the centre of town. "That's up to the judge. Maybe you'll get lucky. You're only fifteen. You should be out by the time you're eighteen. Just try to clean yourself up. Don't make any more stupid decisions Charles".

"It's Chaney", was the snapped response.

"Chaney", Charlie huffed, frustration building. "You were a good kid. Don't grow up to be bad person".

For a second the only noise was the rumbling of the engine. The trees on the left side glimpsed through the passing headlights. The houses on the right, family homes with their driveways, gardens and curtain covered windows. Occasionally a window would be lit. Someone still up at eleven thirty on a Monday night. Chaney watched it all pass by with a sort of shocked state of detachment Charlie noted as he glanced at the boy in his rearview mirror. His face was blank. Skin pale and eyes black in the dark.

"You know what they say Chief Swann", Chaney murmured after a long moment. "Kids like me are rotten to the core. You should stop trying to help me now".

"I've known you since you were four and playing with my daughter at nursery. Now I don't think you are a rotten apple. Not yet. I don't know why you've been acting out like this. Setting fires and vandalising places. Stealing a car?" Charlie scoffed and shook his head. "What did expect to happen?"

Chaney shrugged. The action caught through the mirror. "I don't need to tell you".

"Don't tell me then", Charlie grunted.

The rest of the drive passed in silence. When they pulled up at the police station the officers in the bullpen just sighed and shook their heads as Chaney was marched towards the cells. The kid had not even had his growth spurt yet, barely coming up to Charlie's shoulders. It was an unusual sight for a child to be locked in holding in this station, but not unusual that when it did happen, it was Charles Shakerly.

"What did he do this time Chief?" Deputy Molina called. He had arrested Chaney once or twice for vandalism. Mostly spray painting the school. He was watching as Charlie led the boy to a cell and took off his cuffs.

"Stole and crashed the Newton's car into a lamppost by the diner", Sargent Booker laughed. He had once apprehended Chaney for dealing drugs.

"Man", Deputy Braddock sighed. "No escaping juvie this time Shakerly!" He jeered. The other cops laughed.

"You just wish you were as cool as me!" Chaney shouted back with a wide grin.

"Save it!" Charlie barked as he shut the cell door. The cops all quieted, stifling their chuckles.

Chaney rubbed at his sore wrists. The cuffs had not been too tight but having your arms behind your back for a long period of time was never very comfortable. He slung the through the bars and leant on the metal. "Face it. You're all going to miss me while I'm in lock up", the grin was sharp and it saddened Charlie to see such a look. As if Chaney didn't care what was going to happen to him. As if he had given up.

"Of course we'll miss our resident delinquent", Sargent Booker grinned. "You keep our weeks entertaining".

"Yeah. How are we supposed to go back to guiding tourists and arresting the odd dealer without you around to spice things up?" Milona sniggered.

"You boys are going to have to deal with it", Charley stated as he turned towards his office. It was already a long night and he was not looking forward to another night on his office sofa. His house too empty right now. "Cause our 'resident delinquent' is being shipped off in the morning. Get some sleep Charles".

"It's Chaney", Charles snapped.

"Keep telling me kid". The office door shut with a click.

unedited