How to Kill a Man in Thirty Seconds

Chapter 6: The First Step

All heads turned when I burst into my Psychology class fifteen minutes late. I froze, gaze colliding with that of the teacher standing at the front.

Wait, where was Ms. Simmons?

"I'm sorry," I started, as I realized all eyes were on me, "I think I must've walked into the wrong-"

"No, no. Sit," the middle-aged man at the front cut me off, "You've found the right place."

"But Ms. Simmons?"

"Ms. Simmons had to resign last week because of some sudden unavoidable circumstances," he answered, "Like I told your friends here, Ms. Green, I'm Isaac Evans, your new psychology teacher."

The first thought that crossed my mind was: Why would Ms. Simmons suddenly resign halfway through the semester without any warning whatsover? And then: how does he even know my name? But then I realized unhappily that I was a popular name amongst probably every teacher in school by now.

Isaac Evans, as he was called, appeared middle aged. He was perhaps in his mid-forties, with short cropped black hair and cloudy grey eyes which were currently staring at me, unblinking. As he gazed at me, he was smiling, but rather to himself than to me.

After more than a few seconds of silent gawking, he muttered in a low voice, "You're late, Ms. Green. Unfortunately, I've already paired up all the kids for the final year project while you were at the principal's office..." the class chuckled as he drawled off, "so I guess one of them is going to have one extra member-"

I heard the classroom door open and shut softly behind me.

"Oh wait," Mr. Evans announced, "looks like we have another latecomer."

I looked over my shoulder, my gaze locking with that of a horror-stricken Adrian standing by the doorway. Oh no! I share a class with this douchebag too?

Adrian's hands were chucked into his pockets as he shuffled awkwardly, looking as if he wanted to vanish into thin air.

"So, its settled then," Evans smiled, "Ms. Green, you have a partner."

My jaw hit the floor just as my heart leapt in fear, a sick feeling forming at the pit of my stomach. This wasn't happening.

"No," I said, louder than I meant to, my tone desperate, "Mr. Evans, please!"

I was fully aware that I was being rude but if I was going to have to spend a second longer with this scumbag, I was going to kill someone. Besides, this class included my final year project and I would not, could not mess it up by having a disagreeable partner.

"Anyone wants to switch with her?" Evans questioned loudly.

There was pin drop silence.

Of course. You'd have to be on crack and be lacking a few million brain cells, to come so much as within a meter of Adrian, after witnessing his unique skull-cracking skills this morning.

Helpless, I turned back to glare at Adrian. He returned the withering look I sent him without delay.

Oh, this was turning out to be the worst Friday morning after all.

The following day had barely begun when I boarded a bus destined for Beaufort.

About two years back, I recalled we had received news that Morgan's company was now back on track, sales skyrocketing, especially after all of my father's stranded clients had turned to him. I also understood that any man would testify his brother's innocence even if he was the killer. That meant Christian's Walker's statements could very well be big whopping lies.