The Corruption of Innocence

Chapter 14

With a basket in his hand, Philip snook through the trees that banked the lake where divers were searching for the boy's body. He watched silently, hands cold and clammy and breath shallow. He scolded himself for being nervous but couldn't help it. If he was found out, he could be killed, and he did not want that. Prison for a few years wouldn't be too much trouble, but not death. Despite being a cold-hearted murderer, Philip feared Hell.

A crowd of people watched the divers on the opposite side of the lake to Philip. There was a big turn – out, and all the people were of different classes, something which the boy hadn't expected.

He scanned the groups of people as they stood and talked to each other nervously, all eyes on the lake, and tried to pick out Smith's parents. He didn't know what they looked like, but he imagined they would be extremely upset, rich and snobby looking, too. Finally, he caught sight of a man and woman in rich clothes, richer than the clothes of all the others, and could see Henry Smith's golden hair covering the pretty head of his mother, who was distraught. His father, slightly darker haired, was pale faced and bore a sour expression. He showed no signs of grief, only anger and revenge.

After 10 minutes, Philip decided to leave, and walked back through the forest, making sure he went unnoticed. He had an apple basket with him so if anyone saw and confronted him, he could say that he was collecting apples for his family and didn't know that he was on private property. It would be no problem for Philip Device to lie – he did it as easily as he breathed.

The boy was nearing the gates of the manor when suddenly he heard an ear- piercing female scream. His heart dropped and tears appeared in his eyes, but he blinked them back furiously and ran as fast as his legs could carry him back to the lake.

The crowd of people were all crying, including the men, apart from Smith's father. He stood, stone faced, as his wife screamed on the floor beside him, her maids gathering round to comfort her. After a small discussion, they lifted her up and took her back to the manor despite her near inability to stand. Philip pitilessly watched her go, and turned angrily to the lake, where the group of divers stood on the banking with their heads bowed. Walking a little to try and see what was happening, Philip's legs started to wobble as he saw Henry Smith's decomposed body lying dead on the grass. He put his hand to his mouth, shook his head repeatedly, and then started running and didn't stop, not even when a man's voice screamed:

"I'll get that murdering piece of scum!"

Richard Meadowside and Damien Closer sat on the grass by the highway going from Chippenham to Slaughterford, talking about the disappearance of Henry Smith. They often sat together there as it was quiet and they could say morning or afternoon to the riders who went past.

They had been having a peaceful chat about the child when Philip Device came sprinting down the highway towards them. Damien rolled his eyes at Richard and the pair stood up to confront him.

"Oi, good job you're here, I got a bone to pick with you," Richard said as Philip stopped to catch his breath. "You've been telling on Jack for what happened the other day, haven't you? He made a mistake, alright, a silly one, but it was a mistake."

"We all make 'em," Damien put in. Ignoring their confrontation, Philip looked at them desperately.

"Where is he?" he asked breathlessly.

"Jack? I ain't telling you after the trouble you got him in the other day! His parents beat him, you know that?"

Philip rolled his eyes.

"Where is he? I need to tell him something really important!"

"Of course, you do," was the sarcastic reply.