The Dancer | Wattys2018 | COMPLETED

11 - Staged Suspension

Dylan Ashborne's death was all over the news by morning.

Sebastian, Tyler and Madison had returned to school that same morning, while Marcus and Austin, along with Alessio who offered to help, went back to work at the mechanics.

Tyler had informed everyone at the breakfast table that he was going to Florida later that night, which all the brothers had muttered that he wouldn't be going anywhere at all. Madison hadn't spoken to him, he seemed to be ignoring her for a reason she wasn't really sure of.

Sebastian and Madison were sitting together in World History, working in pairs to finish the questions given to them by their teacher for classwork. Madison found it strange, working with others. She had never sat with people during class, or at lunch, but now, this murderer had brought her closer to people she never expected to be close with.

"I noticed something in the video." Sebastian said to Madison quietly.

Madison looked up from her book, "And what would that be?"

"My dad was wearing glasses." Sebastian said. Madison noticed that it was only Tyler who was taking an emotional toll with the death of Dylan. The other three brothers seemed quite normal about it. Maybe it was because they hadn't seem him for three years, and that they also hadn't been there to discover his mutilated body.

"Okay, and?"

"There was a reflection on the lenses of his glasses," Sebastian said, "I managed to zoom in a bit and guess who was standing there?"

Madison frowned, "What do you mean who?"

"Alessio was standing there, watching my dad being slaughtered, Madison." Sebastian said.

Madison took a few seconds to take it all in. Alessio? Wasn't he attacked with a blade himself? Why would he be standing there, watching it all happen? "Alessio would never-" Madison stopped herself. She barely even knew him. Maybe he was in on it with the murderer. Maybe he was the murderer, getting someone to do his dirty work for him, "You think he's the murderer?"

"Maybe, maybe not. I suggest we talk to him when we all get home." Sebastian said, scribbling a note down on his book.

Madison nodded, "I also want to talk to Miriam."

"The one your parents did dirty?" Sebastian recalled.

"My parents loved Miriam. I don't know what he meant by them back-stabbing her." Madison said. In all honesty, Madison was curious. Perhaps Miriam had accidentally slipped, telling The Dancer information she wouldn't have thought to be valuable, like the hatch under their bed that led to the basement. Miriam did like to talk.

The bell rang and they gathered their things. Sebastian helped Madison carry hers, as she struggled around with the crutches. It would be four more weeks until she could walk without them, and she was counting the days already. She would then do leg exercises so that she could get straight back into ballet. She missed it a lot.

They were heading towards the lockers when a voice called across the hallway, "There's that dancing Ashborne!"

All eyes turned towards Sebastian. He shoved the books in the locker and turned to the boy who had called that out. The guy seemed pretty big, 6'4 and looked about ready to fight, "Twinkle toes, you do what? Ballet and tango."

"Yeah Geoff, so what?" Sebastian spread his hands wide suggestively.

The guy laughed, "Show us some moves. Ready, set, dance." The guy punched Sebastian in the stomach and Sebastian stumbled back.

Madison helped him up. She was confused. Who the hell was this guy?

Geoff laughed again, "Weak. Ooh who's this girl?" He looked at Madison, brows raised.

Sebastian shoved Geoff away, "Listen buddy. Fuck off, alright."

Geoff laughed even harder and grabbed Sebastian by the neck, whispering something to him, before slamming him down. Madison looked around at the other students, who were just watching, some recording the fight. They acted like it was normal. Madison had never seen school fights, she was always off somewhere, alone practising her moves or studying.

Suddenly, Tyler was behind Geoff and spun him around, grabbing him by the collar of his shirt, "You again?"

"Tyler, bro. I was just messing around-"

"Don't fucking touch him again. You hear me?"

Geoff punched Tyler in the jaw and Tyler stumbled back a bit and laughed dryly, "Now we're talking."

Geoff swung again but this time, Tyler hooked his arm and twisted it behind his back, kneeing him in the stomach, "I thought we were fighting Geoff. I'm sure you just did a cute little tango move right there."

Madison watched in horror. If only she didn't have these God forsaken crutches, she'd be trying to split them up. Tyler even looked as though he was enjoying himself.

Madison decided against her excuse with the crutches and stepped forward, about to interfere, when Sebastian stopped her, "Let them be."

"Tyler's going to get suspended."

"Exactly. They're deliberately trying to get suspended." Sebastian gave her a small smile, "Him and Geoff do it all the time. They're best friends, believe it or not."

"They're hurting each other though."

"They're acting." Sebastian said, walking her away from them slowly, "Geoff would never hurt me."

Madison watched as teachers broke up the staged fight and lead the two boys away in the direction of the Principal's office. Tyler held his hand up in a wave towards Madison and Sebastian, a small smile playing on his lips.

"They get suspended, get sent home, and then they go out and train for soccer and do whatever else it is they like to do for fun."

"They hate school, clearly." Madison said as they walked towards the cafeteria.

"Tyler especially. Colleges all over want him on their team, so he's just messing around at school."

"So why's he still here? Just drop out and leave." Madison said, grabbing a tray.

"Mom wanted him to graduate year 12, so he's doing it for her."

During lunch, Sebastian explained to Madison how Tyler was their mom's favourite, and was also closest to their dad.

"Mom said she never had favourites, but her and Tyler got along the most. She loved him and his humour and the way he did certain things. He was always helping around the house and everything for her." Sebastian said, "Dad, him and Dad were definitely the closest. Dad loved soccer, Tyler was the soccer player of the family, and they were always out training together or watching a match somewhere. Dad helped Tyler a lot, getting him where he is today, paying for it all."

"So that's why he's emotional about their deaths, more than the rest of you?"

Sebastian nodded, "Yeah, that and Tyler was there when Mom died, and obviously is the only one of us who saw Dad dead too."

"What do you mean, there when she died?"

"Tyler and I were fourteen when she died. I was out with Marcus, Austin and Dad, while Tyler was home with mom, helping her cook dinner. He never told us much of what happened, only that they heard noises and Mom told Tyler to hide. He hid under the kitchen table and watched Mom get stabbed again and again. He was covered in her blood when we got home, and the cops thought he did it."

Madison was speechless.

And then suddenly, the fire alarm rang.

*** Author's Note ***

Hey all, hope you like this chapter. It was again, an insight into Tyler's character, and also a bit more to add to the unravelling of the mystery around The Dancer, with Alessio strangely being involved. I'll also be doing insights into the rest of the brothers' characters very soon. Remember to vote if you liked it and comment any feedback or constructive criticism that you have.

Thank you!