Psycho But Not Really

p s y c h o - 1

"Alright, Alex, tell me about yourself". I watched outside the window, as my mother spoke and examined the horrible, mental man.

He was Alex Rogers, the man who killed his wife, and daughters, it was a horrible story, but he did it and he can never take it back. The media blew up his story, and it made headlines all over the country. It was the talk of the town.

My mother worked as a psychologist in the clinic, I sometimes went to work with her she's always trying make me be a psychologist like her, but we all know I just want to focus on art. I watched as my mothers co worker, Dr. Gibson stood beside me. "She's a hard worker, Althea" I turned to look at Dr. Gibson.

He worked with my mother for years, but sadly his whole family burnt in a house fire. The tragic story had everyone shook, no one would think anything would happen to that caring, kind family who did everything together. They were the perfect family, barbecues on Sunday's, TV nights in Friday's, and school football games on Saturday's.

"Yea, I know" I replied, all of a sudden Alex stood up, anger in his face. His heavy breathing and body movement was obvious to read. He looked like a predator, probably the face he had on whilst he murdered his family. A face of a monster. "Don't you dare, say that to me!" He screamed, my mother signalled the security to come in, and they did, they held Alex against the wall his eyes met mine, the guilt and pain was obvious, I almost felt bad. The only thing that was keeping me from reading his eyes was the the glass window.

I snapped out of my trance, when my mother tapped my shoulder, "lets go" she smiled. How could she smile when she was about to get attacked? My mother walked into her office, and took off her coat, she organised her files and papers into her bag, and we took off. She worked hard for this job, but still came home smiling.

"Take out tonight?" She asked, rushing out of the building, I turned to her. "We had that yesterday, and the day before that, and the day before-", I was cut off by my mother again.

"I get it, but please understand that I'm busy, and I don't have time to cook" my mother sighed, and got into the drivers seat.

"But I can cook!" I argued back.

"You know I don't want you getting hurt", my mother sighed again, turning on the car ignition. My mother started being really protective over me, when my dad ran away, she thought that he'd come back one day to be back with his family, but no.

He never came back, my mother started to safe proof our house, I wasn't allowed to cook or go out after sunset. It was the worst, but as time went on, I got into the habits of drawing, and I was good at it too, I got selected into an arts school, but my mother declined.

"Alright, the food will be here soon, you pay the delivery person, I'll be upstairs, in the office" my mother said, and walked up the stairs.

Sometimes I wonder is she knows what taking a break is.

Even before my dad ran away, my mother was working like this, but she at least had time for us, now that I'm almost eighteen, I can do whatever I want, but my mother doesn't let me. I'm trying so hard to convince her for me to go out, and go to arts school.

But lately she's been more stressed, so I try not to interfere.

The door bell rang, indicating the delivery person was here, I opened the door, and a tall man about my age was there, he looked cute, but I knew he had a girlfriend for sure, "twenty eight dollars" he said, I grabbed the bag, and gave him exactly twenty eight dollars. I shut the door behind me, and called out for my mum.

"Mum, foods here!" I yelled, I placed all the food onto the plates and set the utensils down.

My mother came running down in her work clothes, and very messy hair. We sat down and started to eat.

"Mum, please, I'm turning eighteen in two days, I am free to make my own decisions" I started off, but my mother spoke too fast.

"You know, I've been thinking lately, that I should be able to not worry about you, when you're at school, or when you're out, you are free to go and make whatever ever decisions you'd like" my mother said, taking a sip of her whine.

My eyes widened, "really?" I asked, my mum smiled and nodded. "Thank you, thank you!" I said almost jumping out of my seat.

"But please be careful..." my mothers voice deepened, I tilted my head, and made her continue, "there's been a report, that a young boy your age, he's been in and out of jail, but they just released him today, I suggest you stay indoors at all times at night, he's killed his whole family" my mother explained.

The last bit of her sentence, made me drop my spoon, I was surprised that anyone my age would even murder someone, nonetheless their family. I bit my lip and nodded my head in understanding.

After dinner, I washed the plates, and got ready for bed, since I don't go school anymore, I didn't really plan on doing anything. Throughout the whole night, I felt a strange feeling, like something wasn't secure. I shook the feeling off.

Before going to bed, I entered my mothers room, she still has my fathers things in place, she was sleeping soundly, I pulled the blanket over her, and turned off the lamp.

I walked into my bedroom, and tucked myself in. Taking in all the warmth from my blanket, my eyes were weighed down by sleep. My mind was on nothing, and the night was silent in the Herwok residence. Our house was completely silent, only the ticking of every clock in the house was heard.

It was the life I've lived since my father ran away, a year ago. I, Althea Herwok, and my mum, June Herwok, have been by ourselves for a year, it's not something to getting used to, but we managed to be alright.

•••

First chapter of Psycho, but not really.

I'm not going to continue this book, until Still breathing is finished, so basically this chapter is a little teaser, and preview.