Tainted: Origins of a Psycho

Catching Up

"Excuse me..." a soft voice said from behind me.  "I don't know this building well.  Can you show me how to get to the math wing?"

"Sure."  I said, turning around.

My brown eyes immediately landed on a familiar pair of blue ones. We stared at each other in stunned silence for a moment, then she threw her arms around me. "Vincent!" She cried, squeezing me so hard I could hardly breath. "Holy cow, it has been so long since I've seen you!"

She pulled away from me and I clasped on to her shoulders.  "I can't believe it."  I said, "I thought I would never see you again, Katherine."

She smiled at me as I looked her over.  She was even more beautiful since the last time I saw her.  I let go of her and leaned against the wall, rubbing the back of my head with an awkward grin.  "Things were so weird when you guys left.  I thought Dad was never going to recover.  He was so crushed."

Katherine cringed at the mention of Dad.  She shook her head and swiftly changed the subject. "I guess I should get to class. Let's talk more at lunch, okay."

"Okay."

We went our separate ways and I returned to Mrs. Corn's classroom. She reluctantly allowed me to return to my seat in the back, then proceeded to lecture the class about respecting your elders.

Listening to her was boring as sin as watching paint dry, but I was so happy about Katherine's return that it didn't matter. I sat there with a smile on my face until the bell rang and the class was dismissed.

I flung my bag over my shoulder and started for my next class, stopping in my tracks when I saw some random jock in the hall flirting with Violet. He was leaning his arm against her locker while she held her textbook with a smile on her face.

"Has anyone ever told you how hot you are?" The idiotic jock asked, leaning in a little closer to her.

"Yes, a few guys have." Violet laughed, tucking her hair behind her ear with a wink. "But none of them were as cute as you."

I shook my head and ignored the nausea that swam in my stomach. As much as I hate to admit it, Violet has grown up to be a very beautiful girl, and because of that she allowed herself to become the school slut.

Rumors circulated all over campus about how she helped a lot of guys lose their virginity. Whether it was true or not, I couldn't say, but the thought of anyone banging my sister made me want to vomit.

Groaning, I walked away from the sickening scene and made my way to algebra. There were no seats left in the back and I was forced to sit in the front. I opened my spiral notebook and doodled while the teacher rambled on about what supplies we needed.

The rest of the morning dragged by until it was time for lunch. I ran to the cafeteria and looked through the crowd until I saw Katherine waving at me by one of the soda machines.  I walked over to her with a smile and asked, "Have you been waiting long?"

"No.  I just got here."

"Good."  I shrugged and shifted on my leg.  "Wanna go sit outside?"

"Sure."

We went outside to one of the small metal tables and sat down.  I scratched my head as I tried to think of something to talk about.  "Umm...how's your mom?"

"She's good.  She's been unpacking boxes for the last few days, so that's kept her busy."

"That's cool."  I said, "Has she said anything about wanting to see my dad?"

"No!" Katherine answered a little too quickly.  "I-I mean, she hasn't had time to think of that yet."

"I bet he would love to see her.  You know, since he proposed to her and all."

Katherine's lips tightened and she looked down at the table.  "Look, Vincent..." She said, "I would rather your dad not know about us being back."

"Why?"

"Because...." She paused and pinched the bridge of her nose.  "I don't really want to talk about it.  Just promise me you won't tell him, okay."

"Okay."  I said, "But can I ask you one thing?"

"What?"

I sucked in a deep breath and asked, "Did my dad  hurt you?"

"I thought we talked about this seven years ago-"

"We did, and you said no."

"Well, there you go."

"But I don't get it."  I pressed, "If my dad never hurt you.....why are you so afraid of him?"

"I'm not afraid of him!"  She screamed, startling me and the table of students next to us.  She threw her hands over her face in embarrassment.  "I just don't want to see him again."

"Okay.  I won't tell him you're back."  I said, putting my hand on her shoulder.  "But for what it's worth, my dad has changed.  He's not the man that he was seven years ago, and he would never hurt anyone."

"That's great."  Katherine replied, unconvinced.  She stood from the table and picked up her backpack.  "I need to be going, but it was nice to talk with you."

She started to walk away and I grabbed her by the arm.  "Are you mad at me?" I asked, releasing her as soon as her eyes filled with worry.

"No. I just need to go."  She said, "I'll see you some other time, okay."

"Sure.  See you later."

I sighed as I watched her push her way through the crowd.  She was clearly still afraid of my dad, and I wasn't going to force her or Molly to see him. 

But he really has changed.

There were no more beatings.

There was no more verbal abuse.

He was now the father figure that I longed after for so many years.  He was kind and caring, and he taught me everything I knew about this life. 

He told me that he would take a bullet for me, and I believed him wholeheartedly.

That's why it saddened me that Katherine was not willing to give him another chance. She was still my best friend, but if it came down to choosing between her and my father, I would easily choose him.

That was my responsibility as his son.

****

AN: Hmmm....what do you think of Vincent's new view of his father? Do you think Victor has really changed?

Hope you enjoyed the latest chapter! Your reads, views, and comments mean the world to me! ❤️❤️