Nature of the Beast - boy X boy -

Five - The Real Monster

Danny was tired, hungry and his feet throbbed with every step as he made his way into the heart of another sleepy village. He looked wearily at the locals who merely shuffled past muttering to each other about the state of youths today. Feeling his stomach rumble he eyes the streets looking for a place to get some food. This village was old there was no supermarket and all of the storefronts were framed in various shades of painted wood. At the end of a side street was a small newsagent, the family name weathered in the sign above the door. Walking slowly he glanced into the shop windows; pausing when he reached a small electronics store. He watched the familiar news reporter mouth silently before pre-recorded interviews flashed up about the murder of Rebecca. He shook his head and continued on his search for food.

There were only two other people in the newsagents when Danny walked in. A middle-aged man in an argyle sweater and corduroys was buying a lottery ticket and a bottle of red wine. The shopkeeper was in his sixties, arthritis weakening his grip as he scanned the barcode on the wine bottle for a third time. Giving up on modern technology the old man manually inserted the barcode and rang up the order. “Excuse me young man you need to remove your hood.” He called and handed the change to his customer.

Danny apologized and pulled the hood off his face. He walked through the isles before making his selection and taking it up to the counter. “Thank you.” He said as the old man scanned his items.

“You're very welcome.” The old man placed the items into a carrier bag. “That will be £2.49 please.” He took the change from Danny. “Do I know you from somewhere?”

“I'm not from around here, just passing through.” Danny took his items and the receipt

“I thought I recognized your face.” The old man smiled.

“That’s probably from the news or the papers, I was suspected of the murder of Rebecca Hatter.” Danny said as he pulled up his hood and walked out of the store.

*****

Brian was sat in his armchair sobbing quietly as he watched his wife playing games on a social website. “We have to do something.” He said after blowing his nose in a greying handkerchief.

“What; I’m playing a game can’t this wait until I have finished?” April whined. 

“He is out there on his own for the second night. I want him to come home.” Brian continued.

“I know you do.” She tried to continue clicking but the game over screen flashed ominously. “We have called the police, talked to all of his friends including Matt and no one knows where he is.”

“Matt knows more than he is letting on.” Brian grabbed his mug of tea and took a large swig. “We need to talk to him again.”

“You do that then.” April said as she shut down the computer.

“You really don’t care do you?” Brian looked at her as if she was a monster.

“He is 21, a legal adult he can move out whenever he wants to.” She stood up and made her way to the door.

“He didn’t move out he ran away.” Brian snapped. “And before you say it; this is not him being overly dramatic. We hurt him the other night.”

*****

Children played happily in the playground, they were all screaming as they chased one another. Danny was sat on one of the benches, his map unfolded and index finger tracing roads and pathways. A large red ball flew through the air, bounced twice and rolled towards Danny’s feet. He looked up to see three young guilty faces staring back at him.