The Game

Chapter Twenty one - The Empty Child

“And how do you know?” Derek asked.

“My mom told me..” Jane answered.

The next Monday Jeremy did come to school. He was a totally different Jeremy though. He was always, really playful and fun to hang around with but now he was, invisible.

He would sit in a corner, pull his legs closer to his chest, put his arms on them and hide his head in it. Derek and the others slowly started to forget him. And he had just became a ghost.

He was empty.

“M... Mike?” Jane asked in shock.

“No honey... Mike is a person I made up.” 'The Boss' said. “But, you do know me... My real name. Although, you might have forgotten.”

A couple of years passed, and Jeremy seemed to heal slowly. He started to play games with others. He started to socialize.

But then, one day, the principal, interrupted their class yet one more time. He called Jeremy and they left.

It was the last time they saw him.

Jane, of course had the news “His father is dead...”

“My name is Jeremy Turner.” he grinned and turned to Robert. “Yes... Bruce Turner's son.” he narrowed his eyes and looked around the room. “Look at you guys... All of you have a different story, a really complicated one. Yet, somehow, we are all connected. Mainly, because of this guy.” he pointed at Robert. “I know everything about all of you.”

He turned to Jessica. “I know that the baby is still alive, and, your cousins are raising her.” he shrugged “I've done my research.” he turned to Rose then to Robert. “Should I tell her?”

“Tell me what?” Rose asked, “Dad?”

Robert looked down.

“The death of your boyfriend... It wasn't really an 'accident'.” Jeremy said.

“Wh- Robert... What is he talking about?”

Robert was silent.

Rose waited for an answer, when it didn't come, she walked out the room muttering something.

Jeremy changed his attention to Jane, Derek and Leyla.

“Now, you guys though, you guys are my favorite!” he said “You guys don't have any of those 'lies, deaths' thing going on. And, well, I like the fact that we once were in the same class. A nice touch isn't it? The only thing with you guys is, wrong timing. Derek, loving you for years, you never knowing, thinking he was gay.

“Finally Derek moves on, meeting a new girl, an NPC. ...How, 'heart warming'. And, you find out that he had, been in love with you all the time you were friends. And, you notice that you love him too. But now it's too late. Because he has a new girl.”

Jane got up and ran out of the room. Derek heard the entrance door open and close. He looked at Leyla. She was looking down.

“Now, who is next?” he kept on grinning wickedly “How about Mae? Don't worry, Robert has nothing to do with your mother's death. Not that I know of. But Claire... It's a shame that you forgave Mae and Jess, yet not Tanner. He wasn't as guilty as they were. It was, actually, Mae's idea.”

Claire looked at Mae who looked back at Claire, just realizing who she is.

“Good morning Mae.” Jeremy said sarcastically. He turned to the twins. “So.. Should I go on, or is it time we leave?”