The Corruption of Innocence

Chapter 20

Boredom plaguing him, the tall, thin lad let out a yawn as he turned the page of the local newspaper. Alongside him, his brother snored quietly into his pillow, legs dangling off the bed, feet white and exposed to the cold of the cell. Tiredly his brother looked to him, to his grey toes, but then turned away in haughtiness, shaking his head. His sharp, small eyes then landed on the face of a boy younger than him by a good 4 years, a pretty boy stood in a photograph with a dog near him and the brightness of the attic window behind. Curiously, the lad's eyes ran up the page to the headline above:

MONSTER UNMASKED: MURDERER'S ANGELIC FACE REVEALED AFTER JUDGE DISMISSES ANONYMITY REQUEST FROM LAWYERS

The identity of Boy B, one of the two killers of Henry Smith, has been revealed to the public after judge ruled it was important for the public to know his face this afternoon.

Jack Lewis Edgar of Chippenham, pictured here 4 weeks before the murder, lost the court battle to have his identity kept secret, despite his lawyers' best efforts. The killer, aged 10, was said to have been devastated at the news, and since has been pledging that he will kill himself before anyone else gets the chance. Human Rights Chancellor said the decision was just like 'signing his death warrant' but promised that he will work with the boy's legal team to ensure he is not a victim of a revenge attack and to get the decision overturned. Meanwhile, Edgar's partner in crime has been exposed in his local area and further afield, but we are banned from showing him as the judge has not yet given a verdict on whether to unmask him. A decision is expected to be made at 8 o Clock tonight.

"It's time for exercise, Jack. If you refuse to go..."

"They all know who I am! I'll be killed, I ain't going!"

Striking the peeler, Jack ran back to his bed, leapt on it and clung on to the sheets for what seemed like dear life. Suspiring, the peeler rubbed his head and opened his mouth to speak, but suddenly, a boy shouted from another cell for help and the man looked around the corner of Jack's door.

Spotting his chance, Jack threw himself out of the door and started sprinting off down the hallway. The peeler shouted after him and the boy's heart pounded in his chest as he heard footsteps clamouring after him. He saw a load of barrels and threw them to the floor and looked back over his shoulder to see the man falling over them and to the floor. Panting, he turned around a corner but was suddenly grabbed and pulled backwards with such force that he lost balance and fell to the floor.

Hearing the door lock he let out a sob and tried to sit up, dizzy and scared. A hand reached down to him and he heard a voice ask if he was ok. He nodded and pulled himself up with the person's help and stood panting, shoulders bobbing violently.

"It's alright, old Porkyhead won't find us here. Are you sure you're ok?"

"I'm fine," was the slightly harsh reply. The rescuer narrowed his eyes as Jack wiped his nose with his sleeve and began playing with the buttons of his cardigan.

"Why were you running?"

"Dunno."

"Exercise innit? I know right, I hate it. They say a storm's coming over soon too. They want us to catch pneumonia and drop dead. I think."

"Mm."

The boy titled his head in scrutiny of the smaller boy, who had never looked him in the eye during their meeting.

"What's your name?"

"Albert."

A pause.

"What you in for?"

Jack swallowed.

"Arson," he lied dryly.

"Oh, you can get hanged for that. I doubt they will with you though, you have such a pretty face," the boy remarked, before drawing up his hand and stroking Jack's cheek over so slightly. The other boy felt aggression come over him and he stepped back.