Love and Lies

Chapter 10 - Mr. Berry. and the blue box.

‘M for …. Mongoose, mouse, moose?’ I muttered to myself as I picked out my some clothes from my wardrobe. ‘Minging….monster, military, matron, mister, missus?’ I carried on talking to myself as I examined my wardrobe. ‘Ughhhhhh…’ I moaned and wilted back into my bed, admitting defeat. It had been a whole week since the incident and I still couldn’t get over it. There was just something niggling at all the events in my mind. I dreamt about it a lot, but I would change the situation…. William would always win. Or I’d be there and help fight back. I dragged myself up and picked up the clothes from the floor. I pulled on some black skinnies, a white patterned top and a knitted cardigan and grabbed my phone and keys.

As I trudged down the stairs, mums voice rang out from the kitchen.

‘You awake Zara? Would you like some toast?’ She called.

‘Yes please’ I replied and turned around to walk to the kitchen. Mum was stood by the toaster in her pink dressing gown, her brown hair all messy and a bag of sliced bread in her hands. Dad as usual was sat in his seat at the table, the paper splayed out across with a mug of tea in his hands.

‘Mornin’ sunshine’ he called from the table, his eyes still glued to the article, his voice rough and his Irish accent thick.

‘Morning.’ I replied and poured myself a glass of orange juice. ‘I was thinking of going out to see William today. Go see a film or …something. What are you two going to do then?’ I asked, taking my seat at the table.

‘Work.’ They replied simultaneously. I chuckled at that remark. That’s my parents for you, the definitions of ‘workaholic.’ Mum gave me my toast, which I ate in a hurry and drained my orange juice within a few seconds. Secretly, I was really excited about seeing William today….I was just falling more in love with him each day and today I would tell him I loved him. After many sleepless nights, I’d decided I should tell him sooner rather than later. I feel bad cheating him into thinking I just want a friendship….. So, I’d planned out all the speech. In my head, we’d just get out of the cinema, walk home and I’d tell him. We had a teacher training day on Monday so he’d have the whole weekend to get used to the idea before seeing me at school. I just hope it wouldn’t destroy our friendship….. or whatever it was that we have. After a few deep breaths and a kiss on the cheek from mum and dad, I pulled myself together and left for Williams’s house.

‘Helloooo’ William exclaimed almost too dramatically as he opened the front door and pulled me into a hug. ‘How’s my bestest friend in the whole wide world doing this fine morn?’ He asked as he let go.

‘I’m doing just fine thank you, and yourself?’ I replied, walking into the house and closing the door behind me.

‘Same here. So, what do you fancy doing today?’

‘Um.. I was thinking we could go see a film. There’s bound to be some cheesy rom-com on at the moment that I can drag you into. Or some action rubbish that you could drag me into’

‘Sounds good. I just need to put the rest of the cups in the dishwasher…. Mums orders. Would you mind running upstairs and getting my wallet? It’s in my second drawer in my bed side table. And if it’s not there then try the box in the corner. ’

‘No problem’ I replied and made my way upstairs. I’d been in William’s room a few times before but I’ve never really looked around much. It seemed pretty normal. But there was a big cardboard box in the far right corner that William never allowed me to look at. That was another thing that always struck me as odd… But I respected his privacy so left it alone… most of the time.

Upon entering William’s room, I headed straight for the bed side table. After a few minutes of rummaging, I concluded his wallet most definitely wasn’t there. So I proceeded to the box as he told me. A blue plastic box stood in the corner but my eyes were drawn to the forbidden cardboard box. A million questions and possibilities ran through my head every step I took towards this box.

Strike three.

I opened the lid to find a pile of children’s books, pictures and workbooks. The first picture lying on the top was a picture of William, around 5 years old in a very smart school uniform. He was recognisable but... Didn’t quite look the same. Oh well, I suppose he has just changed a lot since he was a kid. I lifted the fairy tale books out and stood them in a neat pile on the floor. But something didn’t quite fit…. I opened the textbooks and workbooks from what I presumed were William’s younger years. Scruffy childish handwriting covered every page. I smiled at the pure innocence of the image of that little boy, smiling away at the camera with a big toothy grin. It was then I heard footsteps coming up the stairs.

‘Zara, you found it yet?’ William’s voice rang out from not too far away.

Panic overtook and I quickly shut the book. I shoved the picture back inside and then followed the fairy tale books. And lastly I laid the workbook down on top. The scruffy handwriting on the front didn’t read ‘William Harnop.’ Instead it read …

‘Samuel Berry.’

William was in the room now but I didn’t much care. Samuel?! Who’s Samuel? Maybe a younger brother or something…

‘Zara, get off that.’ William was right behind me now but I ignored him.

I threw the book down at my feet and took out all the books again, all the pictures, every work book read ‘Samuel Berry’. I opened every single one and there was that little picture of William stuck on the inside page, that innocent little boy.

‘Zara GET OFF!’ William grabbed my arm and flung me back into the bed. I sat up.

‘Who is Samuel?’ I asked, not able to hold my questions back. ‘WHO is Samuel?! Why do you have his books? A brother? A friend?’

His whole body emanated anger. Then to my surprise, he moaned and collapsed onto the bed a few inches away from me. He buried his face in the quilts and let out a small whimper before he started to cry.

‘Oh god William? William….?’ I asked reaching over to him trying to turn him over. He resisted so I, awkwardly, hugged him. ‘William…this has been going on too long. The M on your back, you got beat up, refused to let me call the police, got hurt the first day in school and now you have books from a Samuel? I thought I knew you but I obviously don’t….’ My voice was but a whisper by the end.

He sat up weakly, ran his hands down his face, tears streaming from his red eyes. His bottom lip trembled.

‘Zara I’m so sorry I’ve lied to you.’

What? He lied to me? I opened my mouth to speak but the look in his eyes told me to shut it.

‘I’ve lied to you to protect you. Zara, I’m not what I told you I am. My name is not William and I’m not what I said. M….did you work it out yet?’ I stared blankly back at him. He sighed.

‘That person... That black figure that was at the end of the corridor and the one in the alley. He beats me up, he hates me. He etched what I am into my skin. To make me pay for what I did. To walk around with it on me so all can see. M is what I am. M is what I was and technically, still am. I will carry the shame around for the rest of my life.’ A single tear rolled down his left cheek. Then his eyes locked onto mine.

‘M stands for murderer.’ 

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Yay! Finally the chapter Ive been waiting all this time to write! Ooo... the plot thickens. Fat4fudge; I decided to write this for you :D You've been a great help and a great friend and well, we talked about it the other day so thought this one'd be for you ;p

Please vote, comment and fan! Thank you for readinggggg <3