Trust Your Instincts

-29- Truth's Out

 It was Monday, another week at school, but Mark had never walked into school and experienced such a somber atmosphere. The usual sound of chattering and laughter that carried throughout the hallways on a school morning were absent. Instead, students were heading straight to their classes early, not stopping to talk with their friends on the way.

 Of course, word had gotten out about Will's death, it was common knowledge now. His body was found on Sunday morning, a knife in his hand and a deep slash from ear to ear. They said that it was suicide, Mark was overcome by a vague feeling of pity for the boy. For the most part, he didn't care, Will was dead to him as soon as Josh's head hit the wall, but they were still friends before that.

 The problem with the mourning process is that no two people handle their grief in the same way. It affects everyone individually. Isaac was still not his usual self since Josh's death. Felix spent his whole weekend with the Italian girl he met at Mark's party a while back.

 Will's friends were all going through a tough time as well, even Mark had to accept that, as much as he hated them all. Blake had moved school completely. Word was that he wanted to get a fresh start at a new school, and get away from all of this. Slim Jim and Pete barely even spoke anymore, they spent their time sitting in the corner of the lunch hall, alone. Mark was glad that they had each other to go through this with. As much as he disliked them, nobody should have to go through what they were alone. At least that's what he told himself to make him feel like a better, more forgiving person.

 Mark hadn't seen or heard from Ken since Josh's death. Felix told him that he was still attending classes, but his head was constantly on the table, and he never said a word to anyone during lessons. Mark could only assume that Ken was avoiding him. He felt guilty, he never meant to drive Ken away like he did. He'd apologise when he had the chance, if he had the chance.

 Mark stood in the doorway of the school, searching the masses of students for a friendly face, for at least one person that he liked, but he didn't see one, and so he decided to go take his seat in his first class early. 

 The two girls that sat at the table in front of him had already entered the class and were talking about Will's death in hushed voices.

 "Y'know, my dad works for the police department," one of the girls stated, matter-of-factly. "He says that the guy who was supposed to be on watch that night wasn't there, he claims he got scared away by a wolf at the door or something, probably just covering his ass for slacking on the job... Just think... if he had been there, maybe he'd have got to Will before he did it." The other girl nodded bluntly, clearly not as interested as the storyteller was, or Mark for that matter.

 Isaac walked into the classroom not long after, trying his best to smile enthusiastically at Mark as he walked towards his seat. Mark smiled back, aware that Isaac was worried about how he was feeling.

 "Hey man!" Isaac beamed, taking his book out of his bag, his smile faltering slightly when he looked up to Mark. "How... how are you holding up?"

 Mark chuckled slightly, trying to convince Isaac that he was fine. "I'm good," he lied, aware that he was trying too hard to smile. Isaac caught on and shot him an unconvinced stare, the edges of his lips curling downwards slightly. Mark quickly tried to redeem himself. 

 "Well... as good as I can be when two people I called friends died within a week of one another. It's got everyone quite spooked I think..." Mark observed, frowning slightly at the memory of Josh and Will being two of the first friends he ever made at that school. 

 Isaac nodded understandingly, placing one hand comfortingly on Mark's shoulder and gently messing up his hair with the other. Mark smiled back, unaware that the teacher had asked him a question, and the whole class was staring at him expectantly. His face turned beet red as he scanned the class for help, getting nothing but stares and a laugh from Isaac.