Chad Brown’s nightmare has began to recur more frequently: his mother kneels, screaming beside the body of his father; blood pools around her from a fresh bullet wound in his head – he’s been killed by The Darkness.
Chad wakes in a pool of sweat. He rises: drinks a glass of water, eats a banana, and – RUNS.
……
Kelly Ibsen waits for him at the school gates.
Chad is happy to see her bright smile. Her sunny disposition cheers him up, makes him forget about The Darkness – for a while.
Butterflies flutter around them, following them up the school steps like colorful confetti, serenading a beautiful young bride and groom.
……
The darkness didn’t trouble Chad Brown that day.
Nor the next, it rarely does when he’s with Kelly Ibsen. They have so much to talk about: dreams, ambitions, fears, likes, hates – but of course, The Darkness is never mentioned.
……
Chad is worried about the Prom.
It’s on his mind 24/7. What if he erupts and spouts The Darkness? At best it will create chaos, at worst – carnage!
He’s losing his grip on The Discipline.
……
On the morning of The Prom, Chad Brown woke at nine minutes past 8.am. He drank a cup of coffee and ate pancakes with maple syrup and grits.
He didn’t go for a run.
Caffeine surged through his blood stream.
“Your tux is hanging in the lounge, honey, and I’ve laid your shirt out on our bed. I’ll be home by five, don’t you dare leave before me,” says his Mom, whilst running out the door, late for work.
She hadn’t noticed Chad had neglected his run – and drank coffee.
……
When home alone, The Darkness overwhelmed him.
He began to run. It did nothing to quash the feelings.
……
Kelly Ibsen flashed into his head – he would hurt her tonight – at The Prom – he just knew it.
He drank another cup of coffee, it spurred him on – to spill The Darkness – this had to be done.
……
Chad Brown took his Fathers hunting rifle from its cabinet. He loaded it with one round – that’s all he needed.
……
As Chad Brown ran, the rifle pounded against his back, reminding him of its dark intention.
He ran toward Kelly Ibsen’s house.
When he arrived, he used a large tree for cover.
……
From this vantage point, he caught glimpses of Kelly Ibsen through an upstairs window.
He watched her pamper and prepare herself for her big night.
He was going to ruin it all for Kelly Ibsen – but it had to be done.
…..
Chad Brown retrieved the rifle from his back. One round. One chance.
He wasn’t eligible for a gun license, yet he’d given himself a license to kill.
He wanted to feel what his Father felt – maybe it would quash The Darkness.
…..
Chad Brown waited for his target to come into focus.
When he saw the shape – he pulled the trigger – confident of a hit.
The shape stopped and slumped to the ground.
…….
Chad Brown threw the firearm into undergrowth and power walked towards Kelly Ibsen’s house.
As he approached, he heard the chaos. He knew they would hate him – he had death on his hands
…..
He pressed the doorbell.
No answer.
The sounds from inside drowned out the sound of his visit.
When the chaos subsided, Chad Brown pressed the doorbell again.
…….
The door swung open.
He saw Kelly Ibsen dripping from head to toe in red – she looked radiant in her pure silk, Crimson Prom Dress.
She stared at Chad Brown standing on her front porch – his hands covered in blood and feathers. He plucked a feather and used blood as a glue to adhere it to his right wrist.
Despite her youth, she understood the significance of Chad Brown’s act. She knew the direction her evening was about to take.
…….
“Chad, this has gone too far,” whispered Kelly Ibsen – you shot a bird!” she said, incredulous.
She pulled him toward the side of the house – privacy.
……
Kelly Ibsen was a ‘Dedicated Directioner.’ She saw the way Chad Brown looked at Liam from 1D – noted his interest in Liam’s tattoos. She understood the scars she saw on his ankles were self-inflicted to hide his self-hatred.
Now, she was happy that Chad Brown was about to spill The Darkness.
…….
Chad Brown dropped the dead bird and looked at Kelly Ibsen, his eyes wet with fear and sadness.
“I’m so sorry – I’m gay,” he dropped his head in horror at the sound of the truth.
“You’re gorgeous!” replied Kelly Ibsen.
……
The beauty and acceptance inherent in those two words slammed into Chad Brown.
He felt The Darkness subside.
When he saw her smile and open arms, he fell into her embrace.
That hug from Kelly Ibsen healed him.
It gave him the strength to take the story of his life in One Direction – towards an honest and open truth.
