Three Weeks in Hell

Chapter 4

The next day started badly with a scuffle in the shower block. Callen was not involved but he witnessed another teenager be ridiculed for the scars he had on his back and shoulders, the verbal bullying turning physical as the kid was then punched in the stomach. Only a few boys were involved, the rest, Callen included, stood and watched the humiliation unfold. It took ten minutes for a guard to realise something was happening and even then the result was the boys were dispersed; the teenager concerned was left crying at the side of the showers.

Classes continued much in the same vein, only this time Callen was the victim. Results of the previous day's math work were read out and the two boys with the lowest marks were asked to stand up at the front of the classroom. Callen defiantly stood and moved slowly to the front from the desk he had managed to secure at the back, next to Joe. The other boy, Jake Southerby, was already physically shaking.

"For those that care, this is G. Callen and of course Jake Southerby. Take a close look at these two as this is as much attention as they are every likely to get for their school work." Mr Jessop spoke slowly and condescendingly. The remainder of the class stared at the two boys; a couple started to snigger until Mr Jessop glared at them. "By now you all know Southerby. He's thick. Not just a bit slow, not just extremely stupid – as you all must be to be here– but he's thick. Once again he has failed to get more than 25% on yesterday's math paper and this is the same test he has now taken five times in the last three weeks. I'm sure we'll be seeing him again up here this afternoon when I've reviewed the English results."

By this point Jake Southerby had turned bright red and his eyes were glazed, clearly trying to hold in the tears whilst not focusing on Mr Jessop's words or the looks of amusement from the other boys, several of whom were now openly laughing at him.

"Enough," roared Mr Jessop and the class instantly fell silent. "It looks like we finally have a companion for Southerby. Callen, first name G as in the letter, not as in 'oh gee whizz'," Mr Jessop raised his eyebrows, indicating the boys were allowed to snigger, nudge each other and point to Callen. After allowing them their moment of joviality, he continued. "Now how many people have a letter for a first name? No one. So that makes him special already. And what makes him even more special is that he knew none of the answers. Apart from being able to write his name, well half his name," Mr Jessop paused to bark out a short laugh. "It seems that Callen here cannot actually write. He did not answer a single question. Maybe that means that he can't even read the questions. Well that would certainly make him thicker than Southerby."

Callen stood silent at the front of the class while Mr Jessop ripped in to him. He stared straight ahead at the back wall, anger building inside of him at Jessop's condescending words and how he encouraged the other boys to laugh at him. He felt Joe staring at him and he lowered his gaze to meet Joe's eyes. Joe shook his head slightly to warn Callen to stay quiet and suck it up. Callen lifted his head a little. He tapped his foot slightly and tightened his jaw, determined not to speak out and make matters worse. He was not embarrassed like Jake and was no way near close to tears. It was the anger that he struggled to control; that and his mouth.

Within a minute, Callen had failed to exert any self-control and he snapped his head towards Mr Jessop and said icily. "I can read and write but the questions are so stupid even a ten year old could answer them." He realised his words made Jake look even worse but he had already established that Southgate was all about survival of the fittest.

Without uttering a word Mr Jessop took two strides towards Callen and slapped him on the back of the head, causing Callen to stumble forwards, instinctively placing his hands on the desk in front to steady himself.

"I've been warned about you, boy." Mr Jessop said. "Fighting on your first day and a week in solitary."

"It was six days," Callen corrected his teacher, this time earning himself a slap to his cheek. Callen resisted the urge to raise his hand to rub his face. His cheek smarted and he was pretty sure it had instantly turned red.