A Friend to Teens: Book 2 of the Lupton Saga

CHAPTER 1

There’s a kid out on Skinnie Bridge, Pat. Claims he’s going to commit.

Any idea who it is?

It’s a boy. And when we asked his name, he said ‘Steve’. But that’s all he will say. Except that he wants to be left alone.

Does he have a weapon?

He says yes, but we haven’t seen anything yet.

Okay, I’m on my way, Pat said as he picked up his keys and walked out of his office.

Cheyenne, Kranston says there’s a suicide on the Skinnie Bridge. I’m heading over that way to see what I can do.

Sure, Pat.

The Skinnie bridge was a cantilever bridge. It was constructed with concrete spans called arms. Each cantilever arm is counter-balanced with another arm projecting in the opposite direction. This forms a balanced cantilever when attached to a solid foundation. These balancing arms are called anchor arms.

As he drove to the bridge, he thought about all the kids he had helped save during the years he was working at the school. In addition to kids hanging onto the Skinnie Bridge, he had helped them all over the area. Standing in a diner threatening to kill himself and kids who had gotten mixed up with sex. In addition, he could think of several suicide pacts that kids had formed. He was lucky enough to hear about them before the kids committed. And he was lucky enough to be able to talk them out of suicide.

Kids just get caught up in life and when a hardship appears, they can’t cope. Kids can’t cope with a lot of things, he thought. Those coping skills have yet to be learned. And they don’t always wait for the right answers.

When he got to the Skinnie Bridge, traffic was being stopped. He was waved through by the officer who was controlling traffic. He parked next to Kranston’s car and got out.

Kranston saw him immediately. The two men met on the bridge.

So, what’s happening?

Nothing has changed. He’s still up on the arm of the bridge. And he still says that he has a gun.

But you haven’t seen it yet?

Right. We haven’t seen it.

Okay. Call me and I’ll go talk to him.

When Pat’s phone rang, Pat answered it and put it in his shirt pocket. He and Kranston were now connected.

He slowly walked up to face off with Steve.

Steve, he said as he got close enough for the kid to hear him. What’s going on here? Kranston said you want to commit suicide?

Yes. And you can’t stop me.

Okay. So why haven’t you done it yet?

Because I haven’t gotten up the nerve to even take the gun out, yet alone to put it to my head and fire it. He had his right hand in his jacket pocket.

Can we talk about your reasons for wanting to do that?

Nothing to talk about, Pat. I just got nothing to live for.

Are you having a problem with your parents?

No.

With a girlfriend?

No.

With school?

No.

This could go on all day. Want to just tell me what the problems are?

I can’t talk about it.

Why not?

Because I can’t. I just can’t! Steve took his hand out of his pocket. Pat saw the gun at last. So, the kid wasn’t lying. He really had a gun.

That’s a really neat looking gun, Steve. What is it? I don’t think I’ve seen one of those before.

It’s a redo of the Colt 1851. Like they used in the Old West. They’ve fancied it up a bit. It’s got a gold finished cylinder. They really fancied it up. It’s got a 12 inch barrel.

Where did you get it?

It’s my father’s. He sent for it from a place advertising it on the Internet.

Have you tried it out?

No. But he did some practice shooting with it.

What is it? A 22?

Yeah, a 22. He smiled at Pat. Do you think this will blow me away?

Probably will. But let’s stay calm. Let’s not do something disastrous. I want to talk about your problems. Can’t you give me a hint about them?

Pat, I know you want to help. But there is no help for me, not anymore.

Look at me, Steve.

Steve looked up at Pat.

You are high, Pat said. Why don’t you wait and make a decision about this when you are in your right mind?

Because then I’m too chicken to end it, Pat. I need the drugs to give me the strength to carry this out.

If that’s true, then you don’t need to kill yourself. The drugs make you think differently. They give you courage to do stupid things.

Do you think it’s stupid for me to end my life?

Yes, I think it’s very stupid.

Why?

Because nothing in life is worth it. Any problems that you have or think you have can be dealt with. We can work together and straighten it all out. You’ve got to give me a chance to help you.

Have you ever thought about killing yourself, Pat?

Yes.

Really? When?

When I was a kid.

Why?

Because… Because I was an abused kid. And I sometimes thought that giving up would solve all my problems.

And would it have solved them?

Well, if you look at it one way, then it would solve them. Except I would be dead.

And why didn’t you do it?

I’m really not sure. I guess I thought there had to be something better in life. And I knew that when I was eighteen, I could get the Hell out of there. And if I gave up and killed myself, he would win.

So what happened?

My abuser killed himself when I was eighteen.

Who was the abuser?

My father.

Did he beat you?

Yes, and he did a lot of other things. He wasn’t a very nice man, and I didn’t have a very happy childhood.

So, you think my problems can be solved that easily?

Easily? Probably not. But I do think that they can be solved. Why don’t you come down from that arm and you and I can go and talk about it all. I’d really like to help you.

Do you think I really want to be helped?

Yes. If you didn’t want to be helped, you would have used that gun a long time ago. No one would even know about it. You would just do it.

You’re probably right. He looked over toward the police presence. What happens if I decide to take you up on it?

You have to give me the gun, and then you and I can go back to school and we can talk about it.

Steve looked around again. He seemed to be deliberating. What if Pat could help him? What if Pat could work miracles and straighten everything out. Maybe he should give Pat a chance to help.

He handed Pat the gun.

We’re done here, Pat said to no one in particular. But he knew that Kranston heard him.

Let me help you get down, Steve, Pat said.

Kranston was the only cop to come forward. Pat gave him the gun and told him he wanted to take Steve back to school with him.

Kranston agreed.

When Pat and Steve got back to the school, they went into Pat’s office. Pat was just beginning to talk to the kid when the fire alarm sounded.

Let me check on this, Steve, Pat said as he stood up. I’ll be right back.

Several people were in the office, all of them talking at once.

Hold it, Pat said. Not loud enough to scare anyone, but loud enough to get everyone’s attention. Everyone turned and looked at him.

Cheyenne, Pat said. What’s happening?

Report of smoke outside the cafeteria, Pat. So, we set off the alarms. Now Mr. Tubsom says that one of the classrooms is burning.

Yes, and I saw it too, Larry Urgnt said.

Which lab? Pat asked.

W108, or maybe W109. I’m not sure.

Okay, since the fire drill has been called, let’s get the place emptied out, Pat instructed. I’ll go and check on the smoke.

He headed down the North Wing and stopped when he saw smoke curling around the corner from the West Wing. He could see that students were exiting the school.

He hurried up to the corner and stepped around. W109 was on fire. He could see flames. He looked into W108 and saw more flames. He turned and walked back down the North Wing hallway. He would wait until the firemen got there.

Pat walked into the office and pulled up the schematics of the school. No one was supposed to be working in those two rooms.

The police got there very quickly. When Pat walked out of the office, Captain Kingston was coming in the front door.

What do we have? Kingston asked as he looked up the North Wing hallway. He could see smoke peeking around the corner.

W108 and 109 have fire. I could see the flames when I looked into the rooms. Both doors are closed. There’s no one in the rooms. Or at least there’s no one supposed to be in the rooms.

Okay, boys, Kingston said as he turned to his people. Let’s just maintain the perimeter. Keep the kids outside away from the building.

The fire Captain, Captain Fellows, was the next to arrive. He asked Pat the same question and Pat gave him the same answer.

Those rooms open to the Courtyard, don’t they?

Yes.

Okay. Maybe we can also fight it from the courtyard. He turned and walked over to his men.

Pat and Kranston stood at the corner of East and North wings. They could see that the smoke was getting more dense.

There’s no one in those two classrooms for this period, Pat said to Kranston.

So you suspect arson?

Yes I do.

Well that will be determined once the fire is out.

Yes. And I can be very patient.

I know you can, Kranston replied.

Pat looked back into the office and saw Steve. He was waiting for him.

Steve, you’d be better off going outside and joining your classmates. We can schedule a talk for this afternoon.

Okay. What time?

Let’s say 1:30. Does that work for you?

Sure, I’ll see you then.

In the meantime, the firemen got the fire out. Both rooms were completely gutted. But no one was injured.

Fellows told Pat and Joe that he would let them know when they found anything to give them a clue as to what started the fire.

It was 1:35 and Steve had not shown up in Pat’s office. So, Pat went looking for him.

He was supposed to be in biology, but Dr. Raydal said he hadn’t shown up. Pat couldn’t help getting concerned.

When he got back to the office, Cheyenne asked what was wrong.

I had a student scheduled to see me at 1:30, but he didn’t show.

Maybe he changed his mind.

Yeah. Maybe, he said as walked out into the hallway. He walked over to the side entrance and went outside to the parking lot. Nothing amiss out there.

He walked around the school. Had Steve gone home? Or, worse yet, had he found another place to kill himself? There was nothing Pat could do. The kid had just disappeared.

Kranston, Captain Kingston and Captain Fellows arrived at 2:30. Pat and Joe met with them in Joe’s office.

It was definitely arson, Fellows said. Accelerant was gasoline. Both rooms were drenched. Any ideas on who it might be?

I have no idea, Joe said. Pat?

There are a lot of kids who are angry at the school or a teacher or an administrator. And choosing those two particular rooms might be an indication. W108 is usually an English Lit class. And W109 usually has Spanish.

What does that tell us? Kranston asked.

Absolutely nothing. But I will talk to the teachers who have been using those rooms and see if anything significant has happened recently.

Sounds like a good idea, Pat, Kingston said.

When Pat and Kranston said goodbye to the others, they went over to Pat’s office.

You’re upset about something. And it’s not the fire. What’s wrong?

Steve and I were meeting in my office when the fire alarm went off. We agreed that he would come back at 1:30. But he didn’t show.

Do you know why he is suicidal?

I have no idea. We had just barely begun to talk when the alarm went off.

Do you think he decided he was okay?

I fear that he decided to go ahead with his plans of suicide. And I have no idea where or how he would do it.

What can you do?

I want to take a walk through the school again and check things out. If he stayed here and committed, we should find him. And if we find nothing, I’ll stop by his home on the way home and check things out.

Sounds like a plan. I’ll walk the halls with you.

Okay, thanks.

School was out and the halls were mostly quiet. You could hear the boys basketball team practicing in the gym. There were a couple of students on their way to the library and to the rest rooms. But they didn’t see Steve.

Pat stopped at Steve’s house on the way to his home. Both of his parents were surprised to hear about the suicide attempt. But Steve had not come home from school yet.

Pat was beginning to get very worried about the kid.

Pat checked the next morning and found that Steve had not come to school. He immediately called Steve’s home and talked with his mother.

She was almost hysterical. She said that Steve had not come home from school yesterday and she didn’t know where he was. She asked Pat what she should do.

Pat said he would call the police to report Steve missing. Someone should stop by her house shortly to get any more information they felt they needed.

When he got off the phone, he immediately called Kranston. He explained the problem, but neither of them had an answer.

If someone really wanted to commit suicide, there were too many ways to do it. Since no one had seen him since yesterday afternoon, Pat was worried that he had found a way to die.

After putting the report in about Steve missing, Kranston stopped at the boy’s home and then went to the high school to talk with Pat.

Any ideas? he asked as he entered Pat’s office.

No. I’ve been sitting here trying to think of all the ways that a kid could commit. And there are too many to even think rationally.

Okay, we both heard what he said yesterday. Right?

Yes, but perhaps we interpreted it differently.

So, let’s go over it.

He said he wanted to kill himself but that he hadn’t gotten up the courage to do it.

Right. So, maybe, he’s sitting somewhere and trying to get up the nerve to kill himself.

"But how will he do it? He certainly wouldn’t go out on the Skinnie Bridge again.

Let me call in and ask that someone checks out the bridge. Don’t want to take any chances.

As Kranston made his call, Pat sat and thought about all the ways to commit.

When Kranston got off the phone, he turned to Pat. Any ideas?

"Well, he got the gun from his dad’s room. So, chances are that he won’t get another gun.

So, we can safely eliminate guns?

I think so. But that leaves a whole world of other options.

Was he on drugs?

Yeah. He was high on Heroin.

So, he could overdose.

Yes. Plain and simple. OD’ing is a very easy way to go. Problem is, he won’t know how much is too much, and he could just hurt himself or fry his brain. And that’s not a very pleasant thought.

But he didn’t go home last night.

Right. But he could have stayed with a friend, or he could have walked out into the woods and slept on a bed of leaves.

It’s probably impossible to know how he will do it. So what can we do?

Well, he was going with Stella Beerman, but I think they broke up last week. But she must know something. I think I’ll talk to Stella and maybe find out who Steve hangs with.

Good place to start, Kranston said as he stood up. I think I’ll go with you.

Pat looked up Stella and he and Kranston walked over to her French class.

When the teacher saw them standing there, he came to the door. Then he motioned for Stella to come over.

Stella stepped outside the door and looked at Pat and Kranston.

What’s up? she asked.

We’ve lost a kid. And we’re hoping that you can provide us with names of his buddies.

Sure, who is it?

Steve Connors, Pat said. Can you give us a lead that we can talk to?

He was on the Skinnie bridge yesterday and he was threatening to commit, Kranston said.

Let me think. Don Avery. He used to hang with Don. But that was before we got together. They were pretty exclusive. I’m not sure now.

Okay. We’ll talk to Don and see if he knows anything.

He’s in my class right now.

Good. We’ll get him out here. Pat said as he waved his arm.

In no time at all, Don Avery was outside the door with Pat and Kranston.

Don, Pat began. I know the code of the west that you guys live with, but we need some information about Steve Connors.

May I ask why?

Sure. We’re afraid that he might commit suicide.

I don’t think he’s that despondent. Why would you think he is?

Because he situated himself on the Skinnie Bridge yesterday morning and had a gun.

No way.

I was able to get the gun from him and we were just sitting down here to talk when the fire alarm sounded. I told Steve I would meet him at 1:30 in my office, but he didn’t show. And he never got home last night.

Well, he didn’t get home last night because he stayed at my house. And he told me that his mother knew where he was. He just said he was upset and wanted a friend to talk to.

So, you talked to him?

Yeah. And I told him how I felt when Karen and I split up two months ago. I told him that time would heal his wounds and he would probably fall in love with someone else. Don looked down the hallway. And I thought he bought it. I thought everything was okay.

Did he tell you about his actions yesterday morning?

No. He did say that you were following him and he didn’t know why.

Sure. I would follow him if I knew where he was, but I have no idea where he is.

I don’t think I want to tell you where I think he is.

Do you want to save your friend’s life? Kranston asked.

If I thought he was trying to end it, I’d have no problem.

Is it somewhere that you can go?

Well, sure.

And you don’t want us to know where it is?

Yes.

Okay. I’ll get you out of class and you can go there and check.

But you’ll probably follow me.

No. I promise I won’t follow you.

How about the cops?

I won’t follow either. We’ll both wait in Pat’s office till we hear from you.

Okay.

Pat informed Mr. Rogers again that Don was leaving class. Rogers said it was okay.

Do you need a ride somewhere? Pat asked.

Well, I guess I do.

Pat reached into his pocket and got out his keys. Here, he said as he handed the keys to Don. Use my car. If you need any help, call me on my cell phone.

You are really worried about him, aren’t you?

Yes, I am very worried.

Okay. This shouldn’t take long.

Pat and Kranston watched Don walk down the hall toward the exit.

Is this good, Pat. I mean letting the kid out of school and not knowing where he’s going?

Yes. It has to be good.

What if he never comes back?

I have faith in him. He appears to be very worried about Steve. We’ve got to trust him.

I guess we should go to your office. Want to play some solitaire?

I wish it was that easy, Pat said.

What do you think he’s doing?

I think he’s going to OD. I hope Don gets to him in time.

Yeah, so do I.

It was only about ten minutes later when Don called Pat on his cell phone.

I think we need help over here, he said. He’s breathing, but not responding. There’s all kinds of drug stuff here.

Give me an exact location, Don. Pat said. After Don told him where they were, Pat added We’ll be right there. I’ll get medical over there too. We’ll be right there.

Kranston had already called for medical and he and Pat took off in Kranston’s car.

It was only about seven minutes away.

When they got to the building, they didn’t bother to knock. They opened the door and went in.

Don, where are you? Pat yelled.

Second floor—the room all the way at the end. On the right.

Pat and Kranston hurried up the stairs. They could hear the ambulance siren coming their way.

Pat immediately checked Steve’s pulse and breathing. He looked in the kid’s eyes but could see nothing. In the meantime, Kranston went over to look at the drugs that Don had found.

It looks like Heroin, Pat. Can’t tell how much there was. He Yeah. He appears to have taken an overdose, Pat said. I’m getting a very weak pulse. Pat pulled at the kid and got him to sit up.

Help me get him up, Kranston, Pat said. Between the two of them, they got him into a standing position.

Pat and Kranston went out to the hallway. Pat saw Don sitting on the top steps. He looked very distressed.

Anytime I work with teens, I know I’m at a disadvantage. If the kid doesn’t want to talk, there’s nothing I can do. He fooled me yesterday when he agreed to sit down and talk to me. He knew he was going to do something like this at the first chance he got. He fooled me. And then he fooled you too. Pat looked back at the room. This is his choice, Don. There was nothing either of us could do to help him.

Is he going to die?

Good chance that he will. Then he will get what he wanted.

And Steve did die. He had taken too much. They were too late.

Pat felt bad about his death. If the fire alarm hadn’t sounded, perhaps he could have talked Steve out of suicide. But he didn’t really get that chance.

CHAPTER 2

Joe Sinclair was the school principal at Steinert High. Pat served as the Guidance Counselor for the school. With a little over two thousand students attending the school, Pat was kept busy most of the time. In addition to helping students with school problems—career choices, college applications, teacher problems—Pat also was available to help students with other problems. Pat was a Psychologist. Those other problems included run-ins with the law, abuse situations, and any other problems the kids wanted help with.

Joe often stopped in at Pat’s office to chat about one thing or another. Today was no exception.

You know, Pat, Joe said. We previously talked about getting a hands-on individual to run the Crisis Center?

Yes, I remember that, Joe. That was a long time ago.

Yes. It was before the bomb. And it seems like forever ago.

Before the bomb. Everyone in Stowell knew what that meant. There was a gentleman stalking Pat last year, and he ended up blowing up the Crisis Center. Of course, Pat was in the center at the time. And he spent some time in the hospital as a result of that bomb.

Have you thought more about it?

Yes, and at last night’s Board Meeting, we decided that we do need someone in that capacity. So, we need a Managing Director.

Yes, that sounds fine.

Now that we will have a new beginning, we figure it’s time to do it right.

How is the new beginning coming along?

Oh, we’re working on it. The building that Pearson donated to us is very large and in pretty good shape. Although it had been used as a train depot and offices before it was moved it to its present location, he had already started remodeling it. The work is underway and we figure that in about 2 months we will be ready to start using it.

I’m sure it will be nice to get back into your own building.

"Yes. We’re thankful for the store front that we are using. And I guess it doesn’t make any difference what building we are in, as long as we can get the calls. And it’s working pretty well. Of course, we don’t have all the records and stuff set up yet, but since there was no fire when the center blew up, we can get almost everything transferred.

And now that we’re getting closer to re-opening the center, we need to replenish the board of directors. Those who remain have all agreed that we want you on the board of directors. Will you accept that position?

Sure, Joe. Being on the board is fine with me. But what about your managing director? Got anyone in mind?

Well, yes and no. But first I want to be sure you understand. The Managing Director will also have a seat on the Board of Directors.

Sure, but why would I care?

Because we want to approach Dolly about taking the position. Do you think she would be agreeable?

Well, I can’t speak for her. But I know she enjoyed working at the center when it started.

And she was one of the acting supervisors when she left. I think she has a good head on her shoulders. And she did a fantastic job with the dress shop.

Yes, she really scored on that. And it was hard work and a good business sense that did it.

Well, I’ll touch base with her; you don’t need to talk to her about it. But you might put in a good word for us.

Pat laughed. Sure, I’ll broach the subject for you.

When Pat got home, Dolly was fixing dinner. He put down the files he had brought home and put his arms around her. He kissed her ear and turned her head to face him. He gave her a big kiss.

What can I do to help you? he asked.

I guess you can set the table. How was your day?

It was okay. He looked in the pot to see what they were having for dinner. Yum, yum he said. Spaghetti. My favorite.

As he was placing the plates around the table, he said Joe Sinclair came and talked to me about the new Crisis Center.

They’re moving ahead on it, aren’t they?

Yes. They are trying to replenish the board of directors.

That sounds good.

They have asked me to be on the board. And they want to assign someone full time to run the operation.

That sounds good too. You were the one running the place before but you really didn’t have time for all that it entails.

Yes. You were there in the beginning of the center. So you know what the job entails. And if I didn’t already have a full time job, it would have been easier.

Sure. But they do need someone full time, Pat. A part-timer can’t do it all.

Well, the new position will be called Managing Director.

Sounds reasonable.

And they have a very special someone in mind for the job. All they have to do is ask her.

So they think they know who they want? That’s good.

Pat turned and smiled at her. When he had placed the last plate on the table, he moved back to her side and kissed her again. They want you to take the position.

Me? Why me?

Apparently someone remembers when you worked there before your pregnancy. And whoever that is has convinced the rest of the Board that you would be ideal.

Do you think I would be ideal?

Yes, I do.

Pat, we haven’t really discussed my going back to work. How will that fit in with our life style? What about the kids?

They’ll both be in school soon, and we can have Carma take them after school. But you have to agree with this first.

Do you think it’s a good idea?

I see nothing bad about it. You would do a good job, I know that. But you’ve got to think about it. You know you don’t have to do it. In fact, you never need to work again if that’s what you want.

You know I didn’t work at all when Susan and I were in New Jersey. And I can tell you, I was bored. I think I should keep working, if only to keep my sanity.

Of course, you now have two kids to take care of. Maybe it will make a difference.

Well, let me cogitate on it for a little. But we’ll discuss this again. Okay?

Sure. And I’m not asking the question. Someone from the board will approach you and ask the question. I just wanted to give you a heads-up.

Thanks.

Suddenly two kids came running into the kitchen. Each one grabbed a leg and hugged Pat tightly.

Dadee, I didn’t know you were home yet.

Yes, I’m home, Cowboy. But I had to talk to mommy first.

Are you done talking? Susan asked.

Yes, we are. Are you two ready for dinner?

Yes. I just have to wash my hands.

Okay, wash up.

Pat Lupton got the call at about 1:30.

The caller informed him that Reggie Seacrest had a gun.

Pat asked Margo to call 911. He said he would contact Kranston.

On the way to the classroom, Pat pulled out his cell phone. Kranston answered on the first ring.

What’s up? Kranston asked.

Student with a gun in E120, Pat said as he hurried down to the classroom. He thought about Reggie and wondered what the problem might be. He had received good grades last year, but his grades were falling down at the end of the year. Now, only three weeks into the new session, he was not doing so well. Several teachers had expressed concern about him. And Pat had met and talked with Reggie. But Reggie had not opened up to Pat.

Something has happened in his life, Pat thought. Something that he can’t handle.

As Pat approached room E120, he heard what sounded like gun shots. He could hear some of the students screaming and some crying. The room was full of students, probably numbering thirty.

Kranston? That sounds like gunfire, he said into the phone. Stay on the line so you can react to what’s happening.

Pat stepped into the doorway. Students were huddled together at the back of the room. Reggie had the teacher in front of him. Pat could see that the teacher was scared out of her mind.

When Reggie saw Pat, he yelled that Pat should stay where he was.

As Pat stood at the open doorway, he wondered how to approach the kid.

Tell me what your problem is, Reggie? Maybe I can help.

Why would you want to help?

"First because it’s my job and second because I’m really concerned about you.

And you’ll do what?

I don’t understand the question. What do you want me to do?

I want to be left alone. I don’t want to talk to anyone. Understand?

Yes, I understand. But in order to be left alone, you have to put down the gun.

No way. This is my gun and I’m keeping it.

Why do you want to keep it?

Because it gives me status. Do you understand what I can do with this gun? I can kill people. I can kill you right now if I want to. I can kill anyone who comes near me.

Why would you want to do that?

Because it’s like a video game. You know that one that just came out? It’s called Dragon Fire. He shook his head. The guy, or the dragon, takes a gun. A ‘machine’ pistol just like this. It’s a fully automatic handgun, like the ‘UZI’ you see in movies. Each magazine holds sixteen cartridges. I have four magazines with me. He pointed to a duffle bag lying by his feet.

And what do you want to do with all that fire power?

I’m going to shoot it out. Just like Dragon Fire. I’m going to walk down the hall and shoot anyone who tries to get in my way.

Why?

Because I am Dragon Fire and that’s what I do. I shoot.

You do realize that dragon fire is only a video game, don’t you?

You’re not listening, he shouted. I am Dragon Fire. He moved the gun so that it was aimed right at Pat. I can shoot you right now, Lupton, and there’s nothing you can do about it. All it takes is a pull of this trigger.

Pat’s heart skipped a beat. This wasn’t the first time he had been threatened by a student. And it wasn’t the first time it had happened when he didn’t know what the problem was. But seldom when he didn’t know what to say to the kid, when he didn’t know how to stop him. What should he say? What could he do?

Reggie, I can’t help you if you kill me, he said softly.

You can’t help me anyway, Lupton. No one can help me.

Can’t we discuss it?

Ain’t nothing to discuss. Nothing at all.

How about you let Mrs. Taurus come out here with me? She doesn’t need to be involved in this.

No way. She’s staying here with me, he retorted.

Out of the corner of his eye, Pat saw Lieutenant Kranston walk around the corner. Kranston stopped a few feet from Pat. Reggie could not see him and Pat made no move to let him know that Kranston was there.

Reggie, why would you want to kill anybody?

Because I am Dragon Fire. Aren’t you listening? I shoot people!

I’m listening, Reggie. But I don’t understand how you became Dragon Fire.

Nothing to understand, Lupton. I became Dragon Fire and I am Dragon Fire. That’s all you need to know.

Would Dragon Fire just shoot people arbitrarily?

Yes, I can. I can do anything that I want to do. For instance, I can shoot this lame teacher. How ’bout it Taurus? Want me to shoot you?

Mrs. Taurus moaned and then fainted. Reggie let her fall.

Now it’s just us, Lupton. What are you going to do? Are you going to rush me and try to take the gun away? He looked back at his fellow students. Or maybe I should just eliminate some more people?

What do you mean more people? Have you shot anyone?

Of course, I’ve shot someone. How do you think I got everyone’s attention? No one believed me at first. But now they do believe me. Do you believe me Lupton?

Yes, I believe you, Reggie. But what do you want to do now? You don’t want to just stand there, do you? Maybe we can go someplace private and talk.

What the fuck you want to talk about, Lupton?

Whatever you want to talk about, Reggie.

I don’t want to talk. I talk all the time to my parents, and it doesn’t change anything.

At last, Pat thought. He has said something that I can react to.

Reggie, are you having problems that you can’t discuss with your parents?

I’ve discussed it with them, but they can’t help me. No one can help me. Only my gun understands me. This gun understands me.

Perhaps I can help. Want to talk to me about your problems?

No. I don’t really want to kill you. If we try to talk, I’ll have to kill you, just like I had to kill my parents.

Kranston was on the alert as soon as he heard the confession. He quickly walked down to the office and asked for more information on Reggie. He found out where Reggie lived and called it in. He told the Captain that Reggie had just admitted to killing his parents. The Captain said he would send a car over to the house to check on it.

Kranston went back down the hall and took up his former position.

Not much had happened while he was gone. Pat was still standing outside the door and Reggie was still standing inside. Kranston could not see the gun that Reggie held and he could not see where the gun was aimed. But he could tell that Reggie was becoming more agitated.

The gun was still aimed at Pat. He still didn’t know what to say to the kid. Maybe I should rush him, he thought. I could reach out and grab the gun. I could slink down, below his aim, and grab him around the legs. How best can I handle him? How can I get the gun out of his hands?

Reggie was out of his mind. I am Dragon Fire, he shouted to no one in particular. Can you see that I rule the planet?

Yes, Pat said softly. I can see that Reggie. What does Dragon Fire want to do?

I want to kill someone else. Reggie turned and looked at Pat. As soon as they made eye contact, Pat knew that drugs were not the problem.

Usually when a kid took a stand like this, it was because he was high, or on a bad trip, or coming down and needing more drugs. Pat had previously worked in a drug clinic in London. He was quite expert on drugs and how they affected kids. He could even evaluate a kid’s condition just by looking into his eyes. And by looking the kid in the eye, he was able to distinguish which drug he was on, and when he would need another boost.

Crap, he thought. Reggie is not on drugs. What IS his problem?

I want to shoot this gun and kill as many people as I can Reggie continued. And you can’t stop me!

I know I can’t stop you, Reggie. So you don’t have to shoot anyone just to prove your point.

Am I in control of the world?

Yes, you are in control of the world. Pat knew he needed to keep the kid talking. I heard a couple of shots as I came down to this room, Reggie. Did you shoot anyone else?

Yes, I shot a couple of kids. They’re all hanging back there, he pointed to the rear of the classroom. I think they figure if they stay back there they can’t get hurt. But they’re wrong. I can still kill them from here.

Kranston saw Margo turn the corner heading for him. He met her half-way. When he was done talking to her, he went into the classroom next door. The classroom was very quiet. He asked the teacher for a sheet of paper. He grabbed a marker and wrote a message to Pat. He went back to the hallway and held up the message for Pat.

Pat was aware of Kranston’s actions. He took a quick look at the sheet of paper and his heart almost stopped. Kranston’s message was:

Parents dead.

Gunshot wounds.

Pat took a deep breath. Reggie was starting to hum. Pat couldn’t recognize the tune, but figured it was also part of the video game Reggie referred to.

Hey, Reggie. Can’t we go somewhere and talk? I like talking to you. And I’d like to learn more about Dragon Fire.

Do you agree that I am Dragon Fire, Pat?

Yes, I am convinced that you are Dragon Fire. Can’t we talk a little about it?

Do you agree that I can kill anyone I want to kill?

Yes. I agree you can kill anyone. But I’m not sure that you should do that.

Why not?

Well, as Dragon Fire, I know you can do it. But what will happen to Dragon Fire if he does kill someone?

Didn’t I tell you I have already killed? I shot my parents. They are so dead.

Yes, I know that. But you don’t really want to hurt anyone else, do you?

Pat’s peripheral vision told him that paramedics and cops were starting to arrive. He knew he had to end it soon.

Actually, Pat, I do want to kill someone else. I’ve been thinking of this for a week now. I have made up a list of who I want to kill. Some of them are in this classroom.

He motioned toward the back of the room.

Do you really have to kill them? Pat knew that Reggie was capable of killing anyone he wanted to kill. But he hoped that by asking if he had to kill, Reggie might come to his senses and admit that he didn’t have to kill again. But his plan didn’t work. Reggie was becoming more agitated.

Lupton, you don’t know nothin! I will kill again. Maybe right now.—

Pat heard the click of the gun that meant a bullet had been moved to the chamber. He knew that Reggie could shoot quickly and accurately. He knew that the gun was aimed at him. He knew that Reggie could easily kill him.

Pat said nothing. Reggie just smiled at Pat.

You do know that I control your life now, don’t you?

Yes. I know you do.

And if I want to end your life, I can do that too. Right?

Yes, you are correct.

Pat felt Kranston moving closer. He knew Kranston had his gun out and would not hesitate to kill the kid if he got a chance.

Reggie, if you shoot me, you know you’ll die, don’t you?

Why would I die, Pat?

Because the police are out here and they will move in as soon as your gun goes off. They will shoot you dead. Can we say a little prayer for your soul?

Pat could feel Kranston coming to attention. And he knew why. Pat had used the ‘kill’ word and Kranston was ready to end it. Pat and Kranston had previously discussed predicaments such as this—when Kranston was ready to end the standoff and Pat still wanted to try and remedy it. When they discussed these kinds of situations, Kranston had asked how he would know when Pat was giving up. They decided on a kill word. If Pat said the kill word, then Kranston knew he should end it. And the kill word was PRAYER. And Pat had just spoken the word.

Maybe that’s what I need. But maybe I need to have the cops rush me and try to kill me. Don’t you understand that they can’t kill the Dragon Fire? If they shoot me, I can take down others as I fall. And I will take down others. Only my gun understands me.

You don’t need to shoot anyone, Reggie.

I am not Reggie. I am Dragon Fire! he shouted. He aimed the gun at Pat. He pulled the trigger and Pat felt the bullet. Then he dropped to the floor.

Pat stayed crouched on the ground in front of Reggie. He heard other gun fire; he knew some of the gunfire was coming from Kranston. But he also suspected that Reggie had turned the gun onto his classmates and had fired indiscriminately.

He saw Reggie fall. He heard Reggie’s body hit the floor.

Pat pulled himself up onto his knees. He looked over at Reggie and knew that the kid was dead. He felt sorrow as he realized that Reggie was gone. He felt he should have been able to do more to help the kid.

He heard screaming from the back of the classroom. Kranston leaned down and asked Pat if he was hit. Pat said yes, but he said he was okay. He had ducked down quickly to avoid the bullet; it got him in the shoulder. A paramedic stooped down to make sure Pat was okay.

Pat could see other paramedics rushing into the classroom.

How many are hurt? he asked the paramedic.

I don’t know. There are several kids who are down.

The paramedic looked around at the mayhem. I think there were three or four kids who were hit. I’m not sure how bad they are, but I know they are being readied to ship to the hospital.

Is Reggie dead?

Yes. Kranston got him in the chest.

Pat got to his feet and stood silently as he watched the paramedics do their thing. Kranston came over and stood beside him.

Are you okay? Kranston asked.

Tell me, Kranston, was all Pat said. It was part of the shorthand that the two men had developed. When Pat said ‘Tell me’, Kranston knew that Pat wanted to know everything that had come down. Of course, that worked two ways, it just depended on who knew the full scoop.

It’s worse than I figured, Pat. He did kill his parents before he came to school. He also killed his twin baby sisters and he shot four students before you got here. One of them is DOA. Then he managed to shoot three more after he shot you. He shot at you and the gun sort of fell by his side. When I shot him, he pulled the gun up and fired indiscriminately into the back of the classroom. He managed to get three shots off. All three hit a different student. They’re all being treated. I don’t know what the prognosis is.

Man, I can’t believe this, Pat said as he looked around the room. And do you know what scares me, Kranston?

No, man, what scares you.

I couldn’t figure out why he was doing this.

He wasn’t on drugs, was he?

No. Definitely not on drugs. He appeared angry. But I have no idea what he was angry about. Pat shook his head again. He specifically said he was a video game or Dragon Fire or something. Do you think it was a result of his tuning into the game and it took over his life?

Could that happen?

Yeah. I’ve read where the violence that goes on in those games can sometimes bleed over into the real world. And that scares me even more. You know all these kids are hooked into those video games.

A paramedic approached and asked Pat to come with him. Pat’s shoulder hurt like Hell and his shirt was a bloody mess. Pat didn’t want to go to the hospital but the damn thing was throbbing and leaking like a sieve. He had to get it fixed before he passed out. What the Hell. Heroics could wait until tomorrow.

Pat followed the paramedic out to the ambulance.

The next day, Pat visited the class that had been interrupted when Reggie took over. He explained as best he could what had happened. He told the kids that he understood that it was a very frightening experience. He said if anyone needed to talk about it, or was having trouble dealing with it, or just wanted some answers, he was available.

As the days wore on, Pat did a lot of talking to the kids and he learned that Reggie was losing his temper an awful lot. He was told that he and his parents fought constantly. Although Reggie didn’t use drugs, he had recently started drinking alcohol on a regular basis. Several of the kids told Pat that Reggie had talked about hurting some of the students.

Reggie also seemed fascinated with weapons, explaining to his friends about the differences between guns and what they could do. One girl said that he had talked to her extensively about what happened to a person when they got shot. She said he described the wound and the damage very explicitly.

Pat did a lot of research to try and home in on Reggie’s problem. From his research he learned that the things the kids were telling him about Reggie were all risk factors forecasting that the teenager was going to turn violent.

He found that some of the common reasons for acting out have to do with behaviors learned in the movies and on video games. Some of the literature stated that kids are sometimes inclined to copy such behavior.

Pat thought through all the things the kids had told him and all the things he had learned from his research. He decided that Reggie had become a violent teenager. It was a shame that no one noticed all the symptoms. Perhaps, given a little warning, Pat could have talked him down. But it was too late to think about that now.

Pat was saddened by his inability to figure out what had gone wrong with Reggie and his inability to help Reggie deal with his problem. But he felt that he had done as good a job as he could.

When Pat and Dolly were married, it was a very small ceremony. It was held in the hospital sun room down at the end of the hallway. Pat was in a wheelchair, and Dolly stood right beside him. Of course, Susan and Charlie attended.

Joe Sinclair and his wife were there. Pat’s secretary, Margo, attended. John Scammel and Lee Kranston also attended. Carma Murphy attended and couldn’t stop smiling at Pat.

Dolly had arranged for a minister to come to the hospital to perform the ceremony. Of course they couldn’t go on a honeymoon right away. Pat was still confined to bed in the hospital. But he didn’t care about the honeymoon, he just wanted to be married. Susan, his and Dolly’s biological daughter, was absolutely thrilled to be a family at last. Charlie, Pat’s son from his previous marriage, was happy to get a new mommy.

At the end of the day, Pat felt very confident about the future.

It had been a hard time getting to this point. When Pat’s first wife, Nancy, had been murdered, Pat was sure his life was over. In despair, he picked up the pieces and decided he had to go on, if only for the sake of his young son, Charlie.

When Dolly came back into his life, the world brightened for Pat. But the drug lord, Richard Anderson, tried to end all that. When Anderson set off a bomb in the Crisis Center, Pat was severely injured. He actually died once while he was in the hospital.

But that was the past and Pat could see nothing but brightness and love in his future.

When Pat found Dolly again, he thought life was worth living once more. For the first time in a long time, he looked forward to tomorrow.

Pat was very much in love with Dolly and he was happy being married again. Who would have thought that after all those years of Pat being abused as a kid, he would have such a wonderful and healthy relationship with a woman. And with Charlie and Susan, his family seemed complete.

Pat no longer feared for his life. The police had killed Anderson. For the first time since arriving back in the United States, the cloud of fear he had been living under for four years had dissipated. He and Dolly talked about his life and when he could go back to work.

Pat had a difficult childhood. He was physically, sexually, and emotionally abused. Mostly by his father, but also by Hannah, the governess his father had hired to take care of his young son. She was a sado-masochist, and she enjoyed playing her games with Pat. In addition, her husband, Doc, was also a sado-masochist and he abused Pat.

Pat bore the scars from his childhood. And he seldom mentioned anything about that period of his life.

When Pat’s parents died, he had just turned eighteen. And suddenly he was on his own.

It was three days after his eighteenth birthday that he received a visitor. The visitor was a lawyer and represented the Worthington family in New York.

Pat,