The Boy From the Basement; Book One

A Little Odd

            After my hour session with Dr. Davis I drive home. When I get home my mother questions why I don’t have a shirt on underneath and I evade the question. If she finds out why then I will never be allowed at school again. My mother is protective of me for the most part. She also hates Amanda Stiles and her mother for reasons that go way back before I was even bored. 

            I go upstairs and do my homework while I wait for my father. He comes up a half-hour later and we head to the shooting range. I take out all my aggression there. I never miss a target and my father says it’s a gift that I have impeccable aim.

            “How is school?” My dad asks as we are in the car heading home. I shrug my shoulders—school, well sucks. I won’t tell him that, I have to seem happy for their sake.

            “Good. Learning a lot.” I say looking out the window. My dad chuckles and takes a right onto country road we live on.

            “Sounds like everything is going well. Are you excited about the party?” His question is completely innocent but I grind my teeth knowing that Amanda is going to be there to make my life a living hell—not that she already does.

            “Super.” I say oozing with sarcasm but it seems that my father doesn’t catch it whatsoever. He smiles and goes on and on about Nick. How great a kid he is and how he is going somewhere in life. I just nod but I’m not really listening.

            When we get home, I see Bill by the basement garage. I have only seen Bill, my mother, and a few others go in the basement. A big metal cage is being dropped to the ground off the pickup. I can tell that my father doesn’t want me to see this because he is glaring at Bill through the windows.

            “What’s that?” I ask pointing to the large cage. My father gives me a comforting smile.

            “The sheriff has asked for help. Catching some wild animal. Bill is helping me.” I see his lie right off the bat. He looks to the left when he talks about the sheriff but then the right when he says that Bill is going to help. Bill is helping but—for what exactly? I smile and nod. I will figure it out somehow. Maybe Nick knows.

            I go in the house while my dad goes over to help Bill. As soon as I get to my room, I am bombarded with questions by my mother. She wants to know how long I’ll be gone, what I am wearing, and who I will talk to. I just shrug my shoulders.

            “How long are you staying again?” I shoot my mother a look of annoyance. She's asked me this twice now.

            “I don’t know. Late.” I lie. She smiles and nods. My mother leaves me to picking out an outfit which I just choose this light knit sweater and jeans. I set out brown leather boots—something that Amanda would approve of on the bed. I just don’t want to give her any reason to give me shit. I head for a shower and then start getting ready. Nick lives on my side of town but is still a good ten minute drive. This party starts at nine. I pretty much sit around for an hour before it’s nine-thirty. I say goodbye to my parents and get in my car.

            When I get to Nick’s house, cars flood his huge circular gravel driveway and even the street. I can hear the music and I see many people outside with red cups in hand. The drinking has already started. I park several feet away from the house and walk to the house. I left my bag in the car but kept my cell phone and car keys with me.

            People give me odd looks as I walk around the house. They all are wondering what I am doing here. I wish I had the answers for them. I am in a massive living room when Nick comes up to me. He smiles genuinely.