Psychopath

Chapter 2

"So let me get this straight." Kyle's mother said. "You get bad grades despite our feeble efforts to help you, you proclaim that you'd rather fail during your education and therefore ruin your life in the process, and then some info about a field trip comes along and you want us to just consent to it?" She folded her arms in disbelief.

"Well, that's the gist of it, yes." Kyle replied sheepishly.

"Well, you have some nerve if you think we're just gonna go with the flow." She glared at her son.

Kyle shifted uncomfortably in his chair. "Look, I know that I haven't been taking things seriously lately--"

"Lately??" exclaimed Mrs. Landen. "This has been going on since the middle of 5th grade, Kyle! I honestly don't see how you've still managed to pass elementary school!"

Kyle simply shrugged. "But aren't you glad that I still passed either way?"

"You know what I mean." she snapped.

"Mom, this field trip can help me with my lessons. By the time I get back, I would have known a lot more than I already do!"

His mother wiped her forehead. "Well, I guess that's true." she said. "But you're still punished."

"Can't we worry about this after the field trip?" Kyle whined.

"You must realize the answer is no."

"Fine." he groaned.

"Hmm....I suppose sending you off could do you some good. I'll talk to your father about this."

Kyle smiled and hugged her. "Thanks, Mom."

"Of course, honey. Now, let's talk about that learning facility we're planning to send you to."

Kyle's smile suddenly disappeared at the subject. 'Oh, come on!' he thought angrily.

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(Time skip: Night before the field trip 8:30)

As predicted, Kyle was super excited to go. 'Only 12 more hours....' he thought. Despite his enthusiasm, he still believe that 12 hours were a bit long. Regardless, he was finally glad to leave the house for a while. He was almost done with packing when his parents came into his room.

"Woah, that's quite a lot of stuff there, tiger." his father pointed out startled.

Kyle eyed his backpack. They could all agree that he packed a lot more than necessary.

"You'd better take some stuff out. You're only staying for a few days. It's like you're planning on leaving.....us......." Her voice grew quieter and she paused. Her eyes widened in realization. However, this went unnoticed by Kyle and Mr. Landen.

Kyle finally looked at his parents. "These things might be necessary. I mean, you never know when you might need a....flashlight or.....an extra pair of pants for example." He chuckled nervously at them, afraid that they might discover the real reason.

His father gave him a confused look. "Alright, bud, but I still think it's too much. Your backpack might end up getting heavy for you to carry." He bent down. "Here let me help."

"No thank you, I'm fine." Kyle said annoyed, trying hard to be as polite as possible.

"Seriously, Kyle. A heavy load on your back isn't healthy. Your back could get deformed." His father said kindly.

"No, Dad." Kyle persisted, unintentionally raising his voice. "I don't need help. I'm sure I'll be fine." He was really starting to get irritated.

"Well I don't care if you're sure. I need to be sure. I'm doing what's best for you, Kyle." Mr. Landen glared at his son.

"Why don't you stop bugging me and leave me alone?! I KNOW what I'm DOING!" Kyle shot back. Hs eyes pierced through his parents' faces. Only when the anger in his face disappeared did he realize what he had done. Aye. The words pronounced came out differently than he had wanted, and the tone was harsher than he had expected. He looked down at the floor with shame.

His father then stood up. His mother, shocked, suddenly crossed her arms and glared at Kyle.

"Why don't we get serious and talk about what's really going on here?" she spoke calmly, not taking her eyes off her son.

Kyle, tensing up, refused to meet her eyes. "I don't know what you mean." he mumbled.

Mrs. Landen hesitated and then continued. "Is the real reason you...want to go to the....field trip to.....leave us....?" Her voice sounded calm and sad. She looked like she was about to cry.

Kyle suddenly grew shocked. He decided to face his mother. His father shared the same expression and he turned to his wife in disbelief. Then he turned to his son for an answer. Kyle wanted to make his parents believe that he was shocked because of this outrageous theory. In reality, he was shocked because his mother had figured it out. Nevertheless, he persisted in his state of denial.

"Wh-what??" he stammered, trying to think of a lie. "O-of course n-not! I-it's like you said, Dad. 'My education is more important than my relaxation time.' I th-thought maybe the field trip could h-help me with my grades! So I thought 'Why the heck not?"! It could be...fun..." he laughed nervously. He was starting to sweat on his forehead and his heartbeat increased. He tried to smile as much as possible. Unfortunately, his parents weren't convinced.

"Son..." his father said. He had a disappointed look on his face.

"Why, honey?" His mother was on the verge of crying. She covered her face with her hands.

What Kyle saw made his heart break. He had never seen his parents so disappointed in him before. "It's just....I can't be here anymore." he explained.

"With us." his father finished. That shattered Kyle's heart even more. Mr. Landen simply shook his head. "Well, then....we understand. Goodnight, son." he said sadly, taking his wife's arm and escorting her out of the room, leaving shameful son behind. He then closed the door.

As Kyle stood there, he heard the faint sobs of his mother going down the hallway. They sounded painful. He knelt down and soon found himself crying as well.