Jay was sitting by his kitchen counter peeling a banana. It had been such a tiring day for him and all he could think of right now was the freshly laid sheets on his bed and the call of sleep, pulling him stronger than any primal instinct known to man. He headed for the stairs and spotted a knife lying on the floor. Strange. All his knives were always in his knife drawer. He bent to pick it up and suddenly, all signs of sleep disappeared. It was as if this was the strong force pulling at him all this while. He stared at the knife for a while. Doctor Edward’s voice came echoing in his mind. When you see any sharp objects, run. It’s the only way to avoid your addiction. Try Jason....try to fight the urge. Jay felt beads of sweat pop out of his skin. A thin line of sweaty film above his upper lip. It pulled at him so much, it hurt to ignore the feeling. He couldn’t bear it any longer. He headed for the door and went out to the streets. All he needed was someone to help him do this....someone to give him the satisfying feeling.....

He woke up with a start, clinging to his bed sheets as if his very life depended on it. Was he dreaming? He stared at his bed side clock. 4:30 am. Gosh! What a nightmare. He looked around him, his pupils widely dilated, to give him the satisfied feeling that he hadn’t indeed cut something. Why was this happening to him again? He’d thought he’d overcome this silly obsession. Why was this turning up to haunt him now? Why had the nightmares returned? Jay tried to fall asleep again, to no avail. His mind kept showing him images of blood-stained knives, and the shrill human cry that came when the knife sank into the skin. He hadn’t had this feeling in a while. He stared at his blackberry. Should he call Doctor Edwards? Tell him the nightmares were back? No. It would be too embarrassing. Doctor or no doctor. He sent a text to his club members instead.

How’s everyone getting on? Club meeting today at 3. My place. Jay.

Josh Brandon had only stepped out of the boys shower room when Ben Trojan gave him what was meant to be a greeting slap on his back.

“Hey mate. Heard you’re starting nursing work at downs floor today.”

Yeah.” Josh tried to make it seem like he didn’t care. “it’s just kids like us, Ben. No biggie.”

“Ha! It’s a biggie, josh.” Ben imitated josh’s voice when he said biggie. “While you’re playing nurse with a bunch of droolers, Abel Daniels will be trying out for the South High Cup Tournament.”

“So? I mean, dude, its Abel Daniels we’re actually talking about here. Do you actually see him as a threat to me as captain? That’s just absurd.”

Ben laughed a deep throaty laugh. “Come on, mate. Don’t play dumb on me. Of course Abel is a threat to you. Did you know his brother is Michael Daniels? The Michael Daniels? Living high school soccer legend?”

Josh tried not to look surprised. “So what? That’s his brother. Not him.”

“Well, Josh; I’m just being a friend here. Abel Daniels beat you up, man. What could he possibly not be able to do? Besides if coach Sylvester finds out that his brother is Michael Daniels, he will definitely want to give him a shot.”

“Whatever, man. I’ll be back in good time for tournament practice. It’s just a three month thing. And if I’m good enough, i may get off early.” Josh dried his body and put on some deodorant. He put on his jeans and a black T shirt.

Ben looked bewildered. “No way, dude! You’re going to work with Downs people! You can’t go in black. They’ll think you’re like angel of doom or something, i have just the shirt for you.”

Josh rolled his eyes as Ben presented him with an animal rights body hugging T-Shirt. Could today get any worse? He put it on first and then wore his black tee over it, planning to remove it as soon as he was on the Down’s syndrome floor. He headed for the door just as Abel Daniels was coming in.

“Daniels!” some jock shouted from the back of the locker room. “Welcome man. We’re having practice in a bit.”

Some ignorant person asked then. “Who’s Daniels? Is he even on the school team?”

The first jock replied as loudly as possible. “He’s the dude who beat Brandon hands down.”

Josh left the room just as the ohs and ahs filled the room. He had never been so dejected in his life. He got to the Down’s syndrome floor easily and then spent fifteen minutes outside the door. He couldn’t do this. He really couldn’t. He would go and plead for mercy from Serge. Anything else. Even manual labour, though that was illegal punishment for students. Just as he started to leave, a middle- aged round- faced happy-looking woman came out the door.

“Well, i guess you were right Jen! There is someone here to see us today after all.” She said to one of her students who smiled shyly.

What the fuck? Was the first thing that crossed josh’s mind. He should have escaped sooner.

“Come in young man. What’s your name and to what do we owe this pleasant visit? I’m Michelle Shaw by the way.”

“Josh Brandon.” Josh mumbled.

“Nice to meet you Mr. Brandon. Principal Mc.Kinley told us we would be expecting you. This is Jennifer Mayfair. She’s the one who spied you pacing the front door. Didn’t you, Jen?”

Jennifer seemed like the quiet type. She lowered her eyes again. Josh looked round the room and felt his heart sink. Were these people learning how to colour pictures? They all looked happy...like children. No correction. Like babies. Michelle Shaw continued. “Jennifer will introduce you to our way of doing things here Mr. Brandon. Hope your three months with us will be all you hope it to be and much more.” She hadn’t stopped smiling all the while.

Josh fought the urge to smirk. Was this woman for real? Did she really think he would be happy here? When Abel Daniels was about to steal his football career from under him?

Someone tugged at his shirt and he looked at Jennifer in disgust. What did she want?

Jennifer gave him a picture book and crayons.

“Paint into the picture lines, don’t let it spill out of it.” She said. He could hear the eagerness in her voice. This was obviously so much fun for her.

Josh watched as she painted hard at her pictures. A seventeen year old human being was painting pictures? He had to wake up from this nightmare as soon as possible.

Macaulay caught up with Cambria just outside the school gate.

“Cammy. Hey, did you get Jay’s text message? We’re supposed to have a meeting...are you on your way there now?”

Cambria didn’t even act as if Macaulay had just said a word at all. Mac tried not to look too surprised. “Cam, did you hear me?”

Cambria walked on.

“Cambria.” Macaulay pulled at her shirt. “Come on. What’s the snubbing for?”

“Leave me alone! I’m not going for any hypocritical club meeting. I don’t want to add weight or whatever. I like myself like this. Leave me alone Macaulay Morris. You are nothing but a hypocrite.”

Mac looked taken aback. “What did i do...

“Oh come on! Don’t act dumb. You don’t even like me. You’re just hanging out with me cuz Jay said we have to help each other out.”

“No! That’s not true Cam, i like you! A lot.”

“Hypocrite, hypocrite, HYPOCRITE!” Cambria was shouting now. “You’re nothing but a hypocrite. Fine, so I’m puke girl and the girl that you hang out with at club meetings but ditch in front of your best friend. But I’m sincere and open and i don’t toy with people’s feelings. You’ll pay for this Macaulay Morris. Just see if you don’t.” Cambria walked further, and then turned for a last word. “Tell Jay i won’t be coming today.” With that she walked off.

Macaulay’s heart raced as she watched Cambria walk away. The girl could be scary at times. She mounted her bike and rode off to Jay’s place. Abel was already there, but Jay wasn’t.

“Where’s jay?” Mac asked after sitting down.

“He put a sticky note on the door saying we should get his key from the usual place and wait for him inside. I guess he should be here soon. Where’s Cambria?”

“She’s having an attitude.” Macaulay said, not wishing to explain further. She was glad that Abel didn’t prod further either.

“So, how does it feel being the new Josh Brandon?” Mac asked.

Abel rolled his eyes. “I’m not the new him. He was the old me.”

“Pathetic quote, abel. Nice, but pathetic still.”

They both shared a laugh.

Abel added. “Coach Sylvester was quite impressed to learn that my brother is Michael Daniels. And after my try outs today, he said the skills are definitely genetic. I took that as a compliment.”

“Isn’t this too sudden, Abel? I mean, last week you were Abel, recovering drug addict and now you’re Abel, the jock? All because you beat up Josh Brandon?”

“What can i say? It’s my time to shine, Mac.”

“WOW.” Sarcasm dripped from Macaulay’s exclamation.

They fell into a comfortable silence.

Macaulay’s phone vibrated, alerting her of a new message. She opened it.

OMG, Mac, Alison’s been stabbed. She’s being rushed to Queen Alexandra Hospital right now. Me and the girls are heading there. Please hurry up and get there. It’s so terrible. The psycho killer has struck again! SASHA.

Macaulay’s breathing was uneven. Alison! She jumped off the chair.

“My best friend has been stabbed, Abel. I don’t know how or why or who could possibly stab my own Alison....” she broke down and tears ran down her cheeks.

“Who would stab Alison?” Abel wondered. He added slowly. “Is she dead?”

“no.” Mac sobbed on. “But she’s being rushed to the QA Hospital. Sweet sweet Alison. What sort of psycho killer is this? I’ve got to get to her. You stay here and tell jay what happened.”

“Sure, sure.” Abel agreed readily. Just then, there was a turning in the door lock. Macaulay screamed with fear.

“The killer’s here for me!”

“What killer? What happened Mac?” jay asked worried. He looked at Macaulay’s tear stained face. She couldn’t move for a while.

“She’s sore with fear, jay. Her best friend was stabbed.” Abel helped.

“Alison is your best friend?”

Abel’s head came up. “How did you know her name is Alison?”

“It’s all over the radio. I’m so sorry Mac. She’s being rushed to a hospital though.” Jay wrapped Macaulay in a warm bear hug.

Macaulay wiped her cheeks. “I’ve got to get there, Jay. Sorry. See you guys later.”

“Give me feedback, okay?” jay said.

“Me too!” Abel added.

Mac walked past Jay and Abel and helped herself out of the house. She rode her bike as fast as she could into Queen Alexandra’s emergency unit. Sasha, Kate and June were seating at the waiting room, wrapped in each other’s arms.

“OMG, Mac, thank God you’re here.” Sasha said.

“Is Ali alright?” Mac asked.

“Yeah, she’s still unconscious but the doctors said she should be fine. They have to stop the bleeding though. Whatever the psycho used to stab her narrowly missed her heart. But i don’t think you’re okay Mac. Your arm is bleeding.” Sasha said.

Macaulay looked down to see a red blood stain on her arm. She rolled up her sleeves. “No I’m not.” Not cut or injury in sight.

“where did the blood come from then?” sasha looked at her warily. “did you touch someone that got injured?”

“I just changed into this shirt before going for my club meeting. The only people I’ve seen so far are Cambria, Abel and jay. OMG! Jay hugged me. Do you guys think he had blood on him?”

Kate and June started crying.