SPECTRAL

Chapter 12

 Noah used to despise the school system, but now he absolutely loathes it. He had made countless calls and sent an absurd amount of emails to the school officials, yet they still haven't done anything. He had been trying for months now to get them to see the bullying that was occurring under their noses. But now, he wasn't so sure they didn't see it. He was starting to believe that they just didn't care enough.

Parker would always get embarrassed when he heard what Noah was doing. He would always complain that he would never be able to look at anyone in charge at the school ever again. But nevertheless, he still would grin and warmth would bubble up in his chest.

To be truthful, Noah had no idea of the full extent of the bullying. Parker made sure of that. After all, he was still a child and still had hope that there was good in everyone. But one day Noah found out.

Everything was going fine for Parker. His bullies, the people who he used to think were his friends, were leaving him alone. Parker had talked animatedly to multiple of his peers, despite how uncomfortable some seemed at first, and answered all the questions correctly in class. Everything was going fine. However, all that changed after lunch.

Parker was following Mrs. Mills and his peers back to the classroom. Nothing was wrong until they started going up the stairs. At first, Parker didn't notice how his bullies hung back slightly and were waiting for him But as soon as he did, a seedling of dread sprouted in his chest.

Words were thrown at him as they were left behind in the hallway, at the top of the stairs. And then his bullies, Hunter specifically, went too far. Parker yelled out in shock as his peer pushed him back down the stairs. He tumbled in a ball of limbs down the seven steps, knocking his head harshly against one step. A loud crack resonated throughout the hall.

It was a childish act, but they were all children. They don't think things through. As soon as they spotted the blood and Parker's bent arm, they cried for the teacher. They hadn't meant for this to happen. And they cried and cried.

But Parker wouldn't have known this, for he was laying on the floor unconscious. And as soon as Mrs. Mills saw one of her favorite students lying unconscious in a tangled mess on the floor, she screamed.

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Noah was at work when his boss pulled him aside. After seeing her ghostly white face, he knew something was wrong. Terribly wrong. "What is it? What happened?"

"Your brother is on his way to the hospital right now. I'll get someone to cover for you, just go." Her voice was shaky as she ordered him to leave.

He didn't have to be told twice.

It took him just under twenty minutes to get to the hospital. His body seemed to be on autopilot as he rushed through the doors and soon enough he was by Parker's side. Somehow his friends and family knew Parker was here and were already waiting there.

The sight before Noah stunned him. Parker, his little brother, had a cut on his face and his arm was clearly broken. It took only seconds for Noah to start bawling. His tears were raw with emotion and his whole body shook with sadness and anger.

He told them. He had told them countless times what was happening to his boy, to his brother. Yet they did nothing. They let this happen... They should've known that children are reckless, that they are impulsive. They should've prevented this. He told them. He told them! Noah was hysterical.

It seemed like he cried for years, but in reality, it was only for minutes. And as he slowly calmed down from his sadness, he seemed to remember where he was. In an instant, Noah's entire body tensed and his heart banged against his chest. No, not now, not again.