The Edge Of Winter [Tom Holland]

Chapter One

Bradley stared at the wall on the other side of his room, unable to look away. He was having flashbacks lately of what happened a year ago with their dad. How scared they both were, how Bradley almost died, how Caleb had to see Elliot murder someone, how Bradley made a run for it and almost got caught, how Elliot hurt him.

Bradley couldn't stop the flashbacks no matter how hard he tried. He had nightmares every night about it and his mother, Karen and Ted had to wake him up because he wouldn't on his own. He would scream and yell and even thrash around in his bed, probably waking the neighbors and waking his brother up.

Bradley had gotten it worse from Elliot. He had been the one his dad went after the most and it had really messed him up emotionally. Caleb had always tried to help him but nothing he did would work. Bradley still had nightmares.

Bradley was now sixteen and Caleb was fourteen. They had aged one year and yet they both still looked the same.

Anyway Ted had moved them to London as soon as they were back. He wasted no time once they told the police what happened, Ted packed them up and moved them to London. So that's where they were living now.

Someone knocked on Bradley's door and he turned his head to see who it was. Caleb stood in the doorway. He smiled slightly and said, "Time for school bro."

Bradley nodded and grabbed his backpack and his phone as he stood up. He headed for for his bedroom door. "Let's go."

Ted dropped them off at school since he didn't have to work until this afternoon and Bradley told Caleb he'd see him at lunch since he was a junior and they didn't have the same classes.

Bradley made his way to his classroom, ignoring the stares and looks he got from his classmates. It was the same thing everyday because he was american and most of them knew something happened to him and his brother. They just didn't know what.

Bradley sat down in his seat which was all the way in the back of the room by the window. He listened to the teacher drone on and on about something that he lost interest in halfway through. His mind was on something totally different. Bradley glanced out the window and his heart nearly jumped out of his chest. His dad, Elliot was standing outside on the sidewalk by the school. He waved at him.

Bradley shot out of his seat, causing his chair to fall over and he stared at his dad. Why was he here? How the hell did he find him? The teacher called his name and he continued to stare out the window. Elliot wasn't moving even when the teacher walked over to see what Bradley was staring at.

"Bradley, do you know that man?" The teacher asked.

"How did he find us? Oh fuck! Caleb!" Bradley grabbed his things and sprinted out of the room towards Caleb's class. He ran down the hall and burst into Caleb's classroom. Everyone looked up at him. "Caleb we have to go. Dad found us."

Caleb's eyes widened. "What? How?!"

Bradley shook his head. "I don't know. Just get your things."

"Mr. Baker what do you think you're doing?" Caleb's teacher demanded.

Bradley looked at him. "Listen our dad is psychotic and we moved here from America with our stepdad and our mom. He didn't want us to leave and he went to extreme measures to make sure we didn't. I almost died now if you don't want anything to happen, call the police."

Bradley turned back to his brother. "Caleb come on!"

Caleb rushed out the door but not before one of his friends said something about being careful and calling the police.

Bradley grabbed Caleb's hand and they began running towards the office. The principle had been told of everything and that if anything were to happen, the boys would be able to stay in there until the danger passed. But before they could get there, the fire alarms went off and classroom doors started opening.

Bradley cursed as a stream of kids headed their way from all directions. In the river of kids, he lost hold of Caleb's hand and he looked around frantically but he couldn't see his brother. He yelled Caleb's name but of course he wouldn't be able to hear over the alarm and kids talking.

Just as Bradley was about to head back the way he came, someone grabbed him from behind, wrapping their arms around his middle. Bradley stiffened, already knowing who it was.

"Did you really think I'd just let you guys go?" Elliot whispered in his ear.

Bradley screamed, drawing attention from teachers and kids alike, and tried to get out of his dad's hold. He kicked and punched at him but his father was stronger than him. Elliot began dragging him backwards towards the front doors. Bradley screamed again and he flailed around.

"Dad please don't do this! Let me go! Please!" Bradley begged. Elliot ignored him and he heard Caleb yelling his name. Bradley looked up and said, "Caleb go get help! Just go!"

A teacher was unfortunate enough to try and stop Elliot and he had to let go of Bradley to take care of him. Bradley made a run for it the moment he let go but he didn't get very far. Elliot grabbed him again and he lashed out, punching his dad in the face.

Growling, Elliot lifted Bradley up and slammed him into the wall of lockers. Bradley fell and tried to scramble backwards but Elliot began dragging him towards the exit again. One of Bradley's friends was hiding in a corner with Caleb tucked away behind him and Bradley saw this.

"Take care of my brother." He said loud enough for him to hear.

Elliot picked Bradley up once they were outside and ran to a waiting car. He shoved Bradley in the trunk and he stared up at his dad.

"Dad please! Don't leave me in here!" Bradley begged but it was no use. Elliot slammed the trunk closed, leaving him in complete darkness.