THE HEADMASTER FROM HELL

Part 23 - HARD PUNISHMENT FOR MATTHEW

Matthew was very upset when he was told of James's death. Although they had never been friends it was still very sad that he had died and Matthew was still traumatised after watching his father beat James

Liam was also very upset as James had been his friend

Matthew was informed by the police that the charges against him were more serious now

''This could be a murder charge young man'' he was told by a police officer

''I didn't mean to kill him i swear'' Matthew said but he wanted to tell the truth that Sean was the person who did it but he was too scared to say

Matthew's best hope for a more lenient sentence was to convince them it was manslaughter not murder



Sean was aware that Liam had been friends with James and that Liam would be upset about his death so he sat him down for a chat

''I hope James's death won't spoil the excellent progress we've been making in our relationship lately'' he told Liam ''You must understand i did not intend to kill James. I just lost my temper and went too far by mistake''

Liam was angry but he didn't have the courage to challenge Sean now that Sean was finally letting him sleep indoors and treating him a little better

''I understand it was an accident Sir'' he said ''I will not hold a grudge or make a big deal of it''

''Good boy''

But really Liam was very upset and he didn't like how Sean was getting away with it while Matthew was taking the blame. Then again it did appear as though Matthew was doing this willingly



Matthew was still out on bail awaiting sentencing and Sean was having a great time making his life a misery. Every morning Matthew would cook Sean and Liam's breakfast and then eat dog food

''I bet this dog food is even better than the food you will eat when you are inside!'' Sean said and Matthew grew ever angrier with Sean

Louise and Matthew saw each other and it was a sad visit. Louise was very upset about all of it

''Why did you do it my boy?'' she asked

Matthew shrugged ''I dunno mum i just lost my temper that is all''

''You will go to prison for a long time'' Louise said in tears ''i can't bear it anymore. I know i'll lose you for good now. Once you go inside that will be it you will never be my little boy again you will become a hardened criminal''

''I'm sorry mum'' Matthew said in tears

Louise hugged him ''Just remember i love you and i always did'' she told him ''I'm so sorry your father took you away from me. I wish i had been strong enough to fight him and keep you from him''

''Mum its not your fault i know you tried but Dad always gets his own way''

Matthew grew increasingly angry with Sean for the misery he had caused and for taking him away from his mother. And now he was going to prison for a long time for something Sean had done.

Then a few days later while making Sean and Liam's breakfast Matthew picked up one of the knives in the kitchen and suddenly he had an idea. Maybe he could kill his father. It was what he deserved after everything he had done and since Matthew was going to prison for murder anyway he may as well go down for a murder he actually committed. He certainly hated his father enough to do it

Matthew hid the knife in his bag and he was determined. He would kill Sean today and he was prepared to face the punishment. This would be the perfect revenge for everything Sean had done to him and his mother and a way to stop Sean from hurting anyone again



Sean drove the boys to school. Matthew went in the boot and Liam was allowed in the car as Sean was continuing to treat Liam better and make Matthew suffer

Most mornings Matthew would be seething with anger in the boot. He didn't really blame Liam he knew it wasn't his fault. But he truly felt more and more anger at his father every day. But today he wasn't feeling angry anymore he was happy and excited about what he was planning to do. He had the knife in his bag and he would do it today at school



Sean met up with Christine later that day

''I thought you'd like to know i am planning to visit Dale the boy who went down for Martin's death'' Christine told Sean ''I found out Dale is inside Blackworth Detention Centre for boys and i have applied for a visiting order to see him''

Sean was trying hard to hide his anger and annoyance but it was getting increasingly difficult since Christine seemed determined to continue to push him and he was getting tired of her

''What is the point in seeing Dale?'' he asked her ''He won't tell you anything. He pleaded guilty for it and was sentenced for it''

''I am hoping i can persuade him to tell the truth. That it was you who really killed Martin''

''You're wasting your time''

''Well i want to try anyway''

''I would prefer it if you didn't go and see him. I would like it if you left him alone Christine''

Christine smiled at Sean and she could see she was making him anxious

''Just the fact that you are so anxious about me seeing him convinces me i should do it'' she said with a grin ''I will do my best to get to the truth and nail you i told you i would''

''You really are determined to make me angry aren't you?'' Sean said

''I just want you in jail where you belong that is all. I still intend to talk to Matthew again too and get to the truth about James''

Sean tried to hide his anger and anxiety but he knew he was failing to hide it. Christine was digging around and he didn't like it at all. Now her plan to visit Dale was beyond the pale and Sean could not allow her to do it. He would have to get rid of her somehow, same as he had got rid of Mr Adams and Judith. He had been hoping he wouldn't have to but Christine had left him with no choice. Well it was her own fault as far as Sean was concerned. Since he had warned her to stop and she refused. She would keep provoking him. If she had just listened to him and stopped then he wouldn't need to do it. Or if she had been smart enough to keep her plans to herself instead of telling him he wouldn't have even known what she was doing. The silly woman didn't know when to keep her mouth shut and she would pay a heavy price for it



Later that afternoon Sean was in his office doing paperwork. He hated paperwork but it had to be done. It was so tedious though

There was a knock, at the door, loud and urgent

''Come in'' Sean called out

Matthew entered the room with his hands behind his back

''I thought we should have a chat, Sir, about the situation'' he said to Sean

''What situation?'' Sean asked with genuine confusion. He wasn't quite sure what Matthew wanted to talk about although he guessed it was something to do with James again

''Well i've been thinking about everything'' Matthew said grimly ''The whole wretched mess. How you split me and my mum up, how you've treated me since i came to live with you and now how you're going to get away with killing James while i take the blame, i am not happy about any of it you know?''

Sean just smirked ''And do you think i care?''

''Oh i know you don't care i didn't expect you to care. I just wanted you to know how i feel. I hate how you always get your own way and everyone else suffers for it''

''I already know how you feel, insect, but the fact is i always win. No one can beat me''

''Well i was thinking and i have figured out there is one way to beat you''

Matthew brought his hands out from behind his back to reveal the kitchen knife

''I'm going to kill you'' he said coldly and calmly

Sean opened his desk drawer and took out a pair of black leather gloves while smirking ''So it's come to this then?''

''Yes you leave me no choice I must kill you. If it's the only way to get proper revenge on you. It is what you deserve. You've made our lives a misery, my mum and me and some of the boys here, and I will do every boy here a favour when I get rid of you. Plus i figured if i have to go down for murder i may as well actually be guilty for one of them!''

Sean slipped his gloves on and stood up ''Come on then boy, what are you waiting for? You think you can take me on, let's see it then!''

Matthew ran towards Sean with the knife and tried to stab him. Sean grabbed at the knife and they struggled. Sean overpowered Matthew, easily, and took the knife from him. Sean pushed Matthew up against the wall and poked the knife in his face.

He whispered in his ear with a nasty sneer plastered across his face ''You know I could kill you right now and never lose a night's sleep over it, you little bastard''

''Go on then? What's stopping you? Finish me off now'' Matthew said and found that he wasn't afraid to die. It would at least end his misery

''Oh no oh no you don't get off that easily. I'll make you pay for trying to kill me but it won't be as easy as killing you. I'll make you suffer in some other way''

''Like how?''

''Well i don't want to tell you yet i'll make it a surprise for you''

Sean let go of Matthew

''Get out of here'' he ordered him

''And what are you going to do about the knife?''

''I'll keep it. You go away and think yourself lucky I don't report you to the police''

Matthew left the office frustrated that his attempt to kill Sean had failed so badly. He just wasn't strong enough to take him on. Matthew was now also worried about what Sean would do next as it was obvious he would plan some sort of punishment for Matthew for trying to kill him

Sean held the knife in his black-gloved hands and smirked. The knife had Matthew's fingerprints all over it but not Sean's because he was wearing gloves

Sean was furious with Matthew of course. Trying to kill him was entirely unacceptable and Matthew would need to be punished for it. He sat down and poured himself some whiskey as usual. Whiskey always helped him to think. He had a think and it didn't take him long to come up with a brilliant idea. A perfect way to get rid of Christine and punish Matthew at the same time



Christine was alone in her office when Sean walked in. He had his hands behind his back holding the knife in his gloved hands

''Hello Christine'' he said

''What do you want? I have nothing to say to you right now'' she replied

''Well I have something to say to you. You're a fool thinking you can take me on, a real fool, I will not be beaten by you or anyone''

Sean brought his hands to the front and revealed the knife. Christine jumped out of her seat and was scared

''What are you doing with that knife?'' she asked

''Putting a stop to your meddling for good that's what I'm doing''

Christine backed away to a wall like a cornered rabbit as Sean advanced on her with the knife

''You made a big mistake when you tried to take me on, its cost you your life''

''Please i'm sorry'' she said and was terrified

''Too late to be sorry''

Christine tried to scream as Sean ran over and covered her mouth. She tried to fight but he was too strong for her and he pinned her to a wall with one hand over her mouth and another holding the knife

''I'll let you into a few secrets before I kill you. I did kill Mr Adams, I forced him to write a suicide note and then jump to his death from the cliffs. I wanted him gone because I wanted to be the headmaster!''

Christine was struggling and crying. Sean laughed and continued ''And I did kill the boy at Waterloo Hill and put the blame on Dale and I did beat James and I did put the blame on Matthew and I got away with all of it. And now I am going to kill you and get away with that too''

Christine squealed and was terrified

''You see this knife has Matthew's prints all over it and I am wearing gloves as you can see so my prints aren't on the knife. I kill you and Matthew takes the blame, it's so simple. Idiots like Matthew make my life easier for me when they are stupid enough to think they can take me on and instead, they give me a brilliant opportunity like this. I will punish both of you perfectly and you only have yourselves to blame. You and Matthew both pushed me into it''

Sean did it quickly. He didn't particularly enjoy doing the actual killing itself. That's why when he killed Adams he made him do it himself or when he killed Judith he paid his cousin to do it. This time he had to do it himself and he didn't really like it but there was no other option

Christine was lying dead on the floor with multiple stab wounds. The knife, with Matthew's prints all over it, was lying near the body

Sean called the police to report a murder

Inspector Grace arrived much to Sean's chagrin. Why did it always have to be him all the time? Was he the only detective in town or something?

''I came as soon as i heard there was an incident here!'' he said while lighting a cigarette ''I always take a special interest in this school as you know Mr Lewis. So fill me in on what has happened?''

''Well Mrs Clements has been murdered'' Sean said ''And it was Matthew who did it i saw him do it!''

''Matthew again really?''

''Yes that boy is very dangerous! He has killed two people now!'' Sean exclaimed



Matthew was sitting in a lesson when Sean walked into the room

''Matthew come with me, please. Bring your stuff with you'' he said

''Why do I need to bring my stuff with me?'' Matthew asked with concern

''Just do it, boy''

Matthew collected his stuff and walked out of the room. The police were waiting outside

''Matthew we are arresting you for the murder of Christine Clements. You do not have to say anything but anything you say may be...'' an officer started

''WHAT THE HELL? I DIDN'T KILL ANYONE!'' Matthew cried in shock. Even though he had planned to kill someone but the person he wanted to kill was standing there grinning at him very much alive. He hadn't touched Clements but he had already figured out that Sean had used the knife, with his prints on it, to kill her. Matthew remembered that Sean had put gloves on before he took the knife from Matthew

The officers tried to handcuff Matthew and he resisted and ran down the corridor. The police chased him. The other pupils had seen and heard the commotion and they all started to come out of their classrooms to see what was happening. Typically it was all very exciting for the boys to watch the drama unfold

The police caught Matthew. He tried to fight but they restrained him

''STOP THIS YOU'RE ONLY MAKING IT HARDER ON YOURSELF!'' an officer shouted at Matthew

Matthew thrashed around and kicked out like a captured animal ''BUT I DIDN'T KILL ANYONE!'' he cried in distress

He was handcuffed and taken away. Sean just stood there completely unbothered by what he had done



An hour later Matthew was sitting in a police interview room when Grace walked in and sat down

''Hello Matthew'' he said ''You're in serious trouble''

''I didn't kill Mrs Clements this is crazy''

''Your fingerprints are all over the knife and we have a witness, Mr Lewis, who saw you do it. So we have you right where we want you''

''My father, he did this, he set me up''

''What?''

''Look i'll admit i tried to attack my father with the knife but after he confiscated the knife he used it to kill her. He was wearing gloves and he knew my prints were all over the knife. He planned it and set me up. Oh he is smart I'll give him credit for that''

''I have no idea what you are rambling on about. But you need to pay attention now. You are being charged with another murder and you will be remanded into custody to await trial. Two murders Matthew, its very serious''

''Think about this, what motive did I have to kill Mrs Clements?''

Grace shrugged

''I have no idea. Maybe she disciplined you for something and you got angry and killed her''

''If I had done it I wouldn't be dumb enough to leave the knife, covered in my prints, near the body to be found. I would have taken it and hidden it somewhere''

''Mr Lewis says you panicked and dropped the knife''

''Its not true i swear. Its him i wanted to kill i had no reason to kill Clements''

Matthew was taken away but Grace was very interested in what he was claiming. That Sean did it, again, and framed Matthew



A few hours later Matthew was transferred to Blackworth detention centre for boys

''So, you're on remand for 2 counts of murder'' a screw told him ''looks like you'll be in prison for many years''

Matthew was taken to meet his cellmate

''Hey i'm Matthew'' he said to the cellmate

''I'm Dale'' the cellmate replied ''What you in for?''

''I am accused of killing two people but i didn't do it. You?''

''I was convicted for killing 1 person and i didn't do it either'' Dale said

''So we're both innocent?''

''Yes looks like it''



A few weeks later the trial took place. Matthew tried to plead his innocence but he was found guilty

The judge passed sentence. Matthew standing, in the dock, wearing a shirt and tie and looking scared and nervous. Sean and Louise were in the public gallery. Louise was crying while Sean was smirking

The judge looked at Matthew grimly

''You murdered your deputy headteacher, Christine Clements, in cold blood using a knife'' the judge said '' you also beat a boy to death. You deny your guilt and you show no remorse and therefore you deserve severe punishment. For double murder i sentence you to double life. You will serve a minimum of 18 years for the first murder and a minimum of 18 years for the second. Both sentences are to run consecutively. Matthew, this means you will serve a minimum of 36 years in prison before being eligible for parole''

Matthew was stunned and dropped to his knees in the dock and bowed his head and wept

''36 years, man, ah fuck'' he said

''So you understand everything I've just told you Matthew? What it means?'' the judge asked

Matthew was sobbing ''Oh I understand alright. It means I'm going to be buried alive in that lousy stinking crap hole. 36 years! 36 years of my life taken away from me! I'll be nearly 50 by then with all my best years behind me!''

Matthew felt terrified now. Yes he had wanted to get away from his father but not for 36 years behind bars!

''You can't do it to me, Sir, please'' he begged the judge ''i can't face 36 years. It's just such a lengthy punishment Sir you know? Prison isn't a fun place to be and I'll be spending my prime years there, my life will be so miserable Sir''

The judge suddenly lost his temper ''AT LEAST YOU STILL HAVE A LIFE UNLIKE YOUR VICTIMS! I TRULY DETEST OFFENDERS LIKE YOU WHO ONLY WORRY ABOUT THEMSELVES. NO REMORSE! NO CARE FOR THE VICTIMS. THEY ONLY CARE AND GET UPSET WHEN THEY HEAR THEIR PUNISHMENT! GUARDS TAKE THIS SCUM DOWN TO THE CELLS OUT OF MY SIGHT I DONT WANT TO LOOK AT IT AGAIN!''

''BUT I DIDN'T KILL JAMES OR MRS CLEMENTS I SWEAR!'' Matthew cried ''MY FATHER DID IT''

''STOP LYING!'' the judge yelled ''I DO NOT WANT TO HEAR ANYMORE LIES! GUARDS TAKE THIS SCUM AWAY AT ONCE!''

''Come on boy lets go. Time to get you back home to Blackworth to start your 36 years behind bars'' the guards said

Matthew was picked up from the floor and dragged away

''Ah please Sir I am innocent I swear. I was set up for this. I didn't murder Mrs Clements or James'' he said again as he was taken but the judge was tired of listening to it by now

In the public gallery, Sean was smirking and Louise was crying

''Oh my baby, my baby boy, I'll come and visit you my darling I promise I will. I love you'' Louise called after him as he was taken away

Matthew was crying ''Mum I love you too'' he called back

Louise tried to attack Sean ''WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO OUR SON YOU MONSTER! I KNOW YOU DID IT AND MATTHEW IS TAKING THE BLAME FOR IT!''

Sean restrained her and laughed in her face

''You crazy bitch I didn't do anything to him he did it to himself. He did do the murders!''

Louise spat in his face ''Don't bother lying. I know it was you''

Sean wiped the spit from his face and grinned ''You're crazy'' he said calmly ''No wonder Matthew turned out so mad with you as a mother!''

''YOU BASTARD!'' Louise cried out

''Can you two take this outside, please? I won't have this in my courtroom'' the irate judge said

''Don't worry judge, we're done here'' Sean said before strolling out



Matthew was taken into a cell at the court and locked in. Alone he looked around the bleak empty cell

He talked to himself while crying ''30 years. fuck, man...''



Later that night Matthew was taken back to prison from court

He walked into his cell and Dale was there

''What was the sentence then man?'' Dale asked

''Two consecutive life sentences with a combined minimum of 36 years'' Matthew answered gravely

Dale's eyes nearly popped out of his head ''36 years? fuck man you got roasted. Most of the other lifers in here have starting points of 15 or 18 years, not 36. Even my sentence for manslaughter is only 3 years''

''Well they think I murdered two people one of which was a teacher, a person in authority. They also think I have no remorse and pleading not guilty gets you a harsher punishment too. But why should i have pleaded guilty when i am not?''

''I'm sorry man it's proper harsh''

Matthew was angry ''He was there in court...my father...you know the funny thing is I should be in here for murder because I was going to murder him. I guess I am guilty of murder in my thoughts and my intentions. I wanted to kill that man, I swear I was going to do it. So I do deserve to be here, just not for killing Clements and James that's all. I should be here for killing my father not them''

NOTE - Dale is the boy who took the blame for Sean killing Martin at Waterloo Hill. However at this stage Matthew does not know this about Dale and Dale does not know that Sean is  Matthew's father