Dark Mind (The Dark Mind Trilogy Book 1) (20 page)

“Just tell him your story,” Dr. Stern said. “This brings me back to my original point. Trust him. Be patient. If she really is in trouble, she will be taken out. The truth is hard to hide. Is that a sufficient answer?”

“Yeah, I s'pose.” He nodded. “Thanks.”

“So, last time you were here you mentioned you were afraid of being alone.”

“Wow, switching gears fast.”

“Why does being alone scare you?”

Cole hesitated. “Dr. Stern, please.”

“It's okay, Cole. It's why you're here. Don't you want to make your mother happy?”

“Well, yeah... Oh, all right. I guess I'm a social person but I didn't know that until recently. Sometimes I almost resent Amy for opening my eyes to it. I know that's stupid.”

Dr. Stern leaned back and crossed her legs. “It's understandable but I'm sure you realize it was for the best. Loneliness would have set in eventually.”

“Yeah. And then I look at Mom and how alone she is and I guess I... I don't want to end up like that.”

“First, of all, your mom has you. I'm sure she doesn't feel very alone. Second you can't spend your whole life worrying about what might happen. There's too many unknowns. You'll drive yourself crazy. You're young. You have a long time to find that perfect girl and I'm sure you'll find her.”

Cole smirked. “Thanks.”

“What else are you afraid of?”

“Oh man. This is awkward. Let's see. I guess disappointment. I don't want my mom to be ashamed of me. Oh, and failure. I hate losing. If I'm not good at something I have to work at it until I am. Unless it's history class.”

Dr. Stern smiled and leaned forward.
“Unfortunately we're almost out of time. This week I want you to take a step back. You've made an incredible amount of progress in such a short time and I want you to realize that. Think about what you did right. That way, in the future, it will get easier and easier. And doesn't it feel good to open up?”

Cole looked away embarrassed. “Kinda, yeah.”
Maybe one day I should tell her about the instructions and the voices. Maybe there's even something she could do about it, help me with it. I wonder if there's some way to convince her of the truth of them so she doesn't get me locked up.

19

The
Child Services worker showed up at Beth's house shortly after they returned. Beth, with Cole at her heels, opened the front door to reveal a slim man dressed in a dark blue suit, with his brown hair neatly combed.

“Hello, I'm Josh,” the man said, holding out his hand. “Nice to meet you.” His voice was crisp and self-assured and Cole was reminded of lawyers.

“Hello,” Beth said, shaking his hand. “Come in.”

“Thank you.” He lowered his gaze to Cole as he stepped through the doorway. “And you must be Cole?”

“Uh huh,” Cole said. He was getting a strange vibe from Josh but could not figure out why.

“Nice to meet you too. So, Amy says you were the one who convinced her to seek help?”

“Yep, that was me,” Cole responded promptly. “She told me all about how awful her parents were to her and I tried to get her to do something about it for a while. Eventually she-”

“Easy, Cole,” Beth said. “Before you dive in headfirst, let's at least sit down.”

“Oh, yeah, sorry. So, I can be here for this, right?” Cole said, holding his breath.

“We don't usually interview minors,” Josh said, “but all things considered, yes,
I suppose it would be best if you were a part of this.”

Cole followed them to the living room, feeling excitement building up inside him. They took seats facing each other.

Josh crossed his legs and folded his hands in his lap. “So Beth, what specifically can you tell me about this situation?”

Beth paused. “Well, from what
I -”

“I can tell you everything you need to know,” Cole blurted out. “I've been to her house a few times and she told me all about it.”

“What convinced you she was telling the truth?” Josh said to Cole. “Did you ever see her parents do anything to her?”

“They just recently kept her home for a week from school and they said it was because she was sick but it was actually because they hit her. She had a huge bruise on her face. I saw her a few days before it went away so I can tell you, it was really big. I've also seen her parents treat her like crap. Her dad is just really mean and uncaring and the mom is so fake. She acts so nice but all she cares about is her appearance.”

“You're pretty sophisticated for a boy your age, you know that?” Josh said.

“Yeah, I've heard.” Cole smiled. “So when are you going to take her out of there?”

“I don't know yet. We're still investigating.”

“Still investigating? Why? What more could you possibly need to find out?”

“These things take time,” Josh said. “Be patient. I have a few more questions. Can you recount any specific instances that show Amy's parents' treatment of her?”

“Yeah.
I mean Amy can tell you better, but like, for example, last time I was there we were in her room and her father said through the door that they were leaving and then they just left us there. If anyone called, she was supposed to say her mom was in the bathroom. She said they've been doing that for years. That's neglect, isn't it?”

“That may have been neglect in the past but some children your age may be responsible enough even to babysit,” Josh said. “Did you ever get the impression that Amy might be lying or exaggerating any of her claims?”

“What? No. Of course not.”

“She wouldn't have any reason to exaggerate? I know it might seem ridiculous but consider it for a moment at least.”

“I will not consider it,” Cole spat out. “Amy is the kindest, most truthful person I've ever met and questioning her for even a second is degrading. And if you don't agree then you have a terrible sense of judgment.”

“Forgive me. I'm not doubting you or Amy. I must ask these questions as part of my job.”

“Oh, so you don't think that?”

“One can never be too careful in matters of this importance,” Josh said.

“Dammit, stop talking like that. Give me a straight answer.”

“I honestly don't know but believe me, the last thing I'd want is to leave an innocent child in harmful conditions. However, it would be almost as bad to take a child away from innocent parents.”

“But they're not innocent!”

“Look, Cole,” Josh said calmly, “I care about children. I am inclined to believe her and I want to believe her, but
I also want to be thorough and consider testimony from all sides before doing anything drastic. This would not be the first time I've seen a child make up stories because they were mad at their parents. I won't make that mistake again.. Rest assured, if there is a reason for her to be taken from her home then she will be.”

“I am not assured,” Cole said. “If you don't help her, her parents will literally kill her for calling
Child Services. That's on you.”

“I'll do my best.” He turned his attention back to Beth. “You were the one to call in. What part of this have you personally seen? Has your knowledge of any wrongdoings been filtered entirely through Cole?”

“Well yes, but he's a good boy. I doubt he would lie about this.”

“Have you met Amy's parents? Can you tell me anything about their dispositions?”

“I've only met the mother,” Beth said. “I wasn't a fan of her obsession with perfection but besides that I can't say much. I only spoke with her for a minute about Amy coming to visit at my house.”

“Thank you. That should be all. I will contact you if I have any questions.”

Cole's blood was boiling, his hands clenching the sides of his chair. He ignored Josh's farewell as Beth led him out of the living room, but at the sound of the front door opening, Cole bolted to the front hall.

“No!” he screamed at Josh. “I don't like all these questions you're throwing around. I don't care if it's your job, it sounds like you don't believe a word I said. Amy's in a lot of trouble and you're her only hope. Dammit, tell me you're going to help her. Tell me!”

Josh stood speechless, one hand on the doorknob, in a state of bewilderment, his face frozen. After a moment he recovered and composed himself. “I will do my best. I swear.” He turned and hurried out the door, leaving Cole staring after him and fuming.

He considered chasing after the man but lost his resolve and stormed into the library. “I'll do my best,” he said sarcastically, kicking the door open and dropping into a chair. “I'll hunt you down if you don't.”

Beth appeared in the doorway. “Don't kick the door open.”

Cole stared at the floor, unable to make eye contact. “Why don't you leave me alone?”

Beth stepped inside and took a seat across from him. “I know how you feel but working yourself up is only going to make it worse.”

Cole's head shot up, his furrowed brows contorting his face in rage. “What do you know? And thanks, a big help you were. You might as well have told him I was lying.”

“I have to tell the truth. And he doesn't think you're lying, he's just being professional. There's more than enough evidence in her favor.”

“There better be,” Cole muttered, his head drooping back down.

Beth stood and left him to stew in his emotions. Later that night when Meredith came home, he blocked out everything, determined not to let his mother see that something was wrong.

“Hey, Mom,” he said, running up to her and trapping her in a hug as she tried to strip off her jacket.

“We need to talk,” Beth said from behind him. “There's something you need to know.”

Cole released his grip and spun around, a lump quickly forming in his throat. “Aunt Beth, it's not...”

Beth lowered her gaze to match Cole's. “She's a grown woman. She can handle it and she needs to know. She's going to hear about it soon enough anyway.”

“Hear what?” Meredith said.

“Just get settled and come in the kitchen,” Beth said.

After dropping her coat on a hanger and kicking off her shoes, Meredith followed Beth into the kitchen and they both took a seat while Cole stood against the wall, wringing his hands.

“Out with it,” Meredith said. “What did Cole do?”

“Screw this, I'll tell her,” Cole said, pushing himself off the wall. “Amy's parents abuse her and I had Beth call
Child Services on them. I didn't want to tell you because I didn't want to worry you.”

“What?! Your friend Amy? That's not possible.” She looked at Beth, who simply nodded in confirmation. “Oh my God. What did they do?”

Cole recounted all the details for her, concluding with a toned down version of that day's visit, all the while feeling smaller and smaller as he watched his mother's face slowly drop in horror and disbelief. When he was done, Meredith leaned back against her chair, exhaling deeply.

“That's unbelievable,” she said. “I guess that's what's best for her but...
Wow, I just can't... I hope she finds good foster parents.”

“It's nothing for you to worry about, Mom,” Cole said.

“I need to go to sleep,” Meredith said. She got up and shuffled her way to the bathroom.

“Told you she'd worry,” Cole said.

“Yes, but it's best she knows.”

*  *  *

At lunchtime the next day, Amy was waiting for him by the entrance, a gleam in her eye.

“So... how'd it go?” she said. “I've been dying to hear.”

“Uh, not bad.”

“Not bad? After that whole build up?”

“I mean I told him everything plainly enough. You know how he is.”

“Yep, I do,” Amy said. “He came to school and talked to me again this morning. He seems really on top of everything.”

“Really, again?”

“Yeah, and it was so much better. He said that after the chat with you, the evidence is considerably in my favor. Guess your speech did the trick. Like you said. It's happening. It's really happening.”

Cole was exuberant. “Ah hah, I knew it. That's amazing. Told you, I got this covered.”

Amy tapped his arm. “Yeah you did. I'll never doubt you again, I promise. Let's go eat. I'm starving.”

Cole was in such an elevated state that he didn't mind Martin and his posse that day. He ate his lunch in blissful ignorance of the conversations going on around him, even occasionally tuning in long enough to add a word here and there, one time drawing a laugh, until one boy said, “Ew, what is that?”

The boy's face was scrunched up and he was pointing at Cole's lunch. Now the whole group was looking and a chorus of disgusted voices joined in.

“Hey, shut up guys,” Amy said.

“What?” Cole said. He could feel his cheeks turning red as the familiar voices inside his head began their insatiable whispering. “It's just tempeh.” Every once in a while, his mom would have the urge to pack him a lunch, and today happened to be one of those days. He had never considered before this moment that some of the food he ate might be different than what the average kid was used to, but now, glancing at the lunches around him, he was very much noticing it.

“Looks like a dead animal,” Martin said. “Did your mom pack that disgusting turd for you?”

“Shut the hell up,” Cole said, jumping to his feet, and trying to ignore the inner voices as they reached a crescendo.

Martin stood, putting his face to Cole's. “Yeah? What're you gonna do about it?”

Amy pulled Cole back down. “Are you kidding me?” she said. “You're gonna fight over food? I don't care if you don't like it. Then just don't look at it.”

Martin sat back down, his glare becoming an expression of confusion. “What's wrong with you?”

Cole was cradling his head in his hands, his eyes squeezed shut, his breathing slow and labored. It was all he could do to stop himself from screaming as the voices became his world. The cafeteria was a distant dream. A thousand voices assaulted his brain at once, the occasional word seeping through, but meaningless in the tumult. He fought to shut them out and regain a grasp on reality.

“Cole, are you all right?” Amy said.

“It's...
nothing. I'm gonna go sit somewhere else today,” Cole said, getting back up. The voices faded away as he left.

“You see what you did?” Amy said to Martin. “Come on, Cole.”

“Amy, don't be like that,” Martin said.

“Don't be an asshole and I won't.” This received a number of “oohs” from the spectators.

Amy and Cole relocated to another table.

“Sorry about that,” Amy said. “I am really getting sick of those guys.”

“Maybe you can ask for new friends while you're getting new parents,” Cole said, smiling.

Amy gave a half smirk. “Ha, yeah, maybe. So you wanna hang out after school today? Get me away from my super awkward house?”

“Sounds good.”

School seemed to him at this point a cruel joke, a way to torture him between doing things that actually mattered. As soon as Cole's last class was dismissed, he rushed outside in search of Amy, but at first, she was nowhere in sight. Just as he decided she hadn’t left the building yet, he caught a glimpse of her getting into her mother's car, whose tires screeched and jetted down the block.