Chapter 30

On the bus ride home, Patrick sat in the same place he had in the morning. Only this time, Emily was sitting next to him. Andrew and Bernard sat right in front of them, deeply engaged in a conversation. Patrick thought about the three boys in the civil class earlier. He knew if they continued with their nonsense, he would soon have to rectify the situation. He recalled what Mr Lenard had said. He did not want to see them in his office unless it was for a good reason, but Patrick was not so sure about that. Maybe he would do the school a favour by stirring up some trouble with those scumbags because he knew most of the scholars, as well as teachers certainly, were fed up with their nonsense. They were the perfect description of a bully, and yet they were supposed to be finished with school already. When will they ever grow up? Patrick could sense the rest of the kid's reaction to this scum. He knew they were not much liked amongst the students.

'Patrick, you're very quiet, something wrong?' Emily asked. Knowing her brother after all these years, he would have been yarning most of the bus ride home, but there he was staring out the window.

'No, I'm just tired. It was a long day,' Patrick smiled. He did not want to concern his sister with the thoughts that went through his mind.

'It sure was,' Delmar said. 'I can just imagine it being an extra-long day for you guys. First day of a new school and all that.'

'Yeah, but I'm sure by the end of the week we'll all be settled in for good,' Patrick said. He paused a moment and asked, 'Delmar, tell me something, how old are those creeps?'

'What creeps?'

'Those pricks in school we saw this morning.'

'Way too old for school anyway,' Delmar chuckled. 'Some of them failed twice so I think if they fail again, it would be tickets. The school won't allow them back. Why do you ask?'

'No. I was just wondering. You mentioned they were into some bad shit, a cult of something.'

'Yes. Not sure exactly what, but I do know they have friends on the outside as well, the type that cannot stay away from jail if you know what I mean. Scum of the Earth I tell you. Murder, rape, theft, drugs, name it. You definitely don't want to get mixed up with them. They are all bad seeds, best to keep out of their way.'

The bus stopped in the narrow parking lot next to seven-eleven. Patrick was the last one to get off. Andrew and Emily already headed home. Patrick wondered what the hurry was.

'I'll see you tomorrow,' Patrick said. He lifted his hand in the air and soon he got a high-five from Bernard with a loud clap.

'Take care now brother,' Bernard said, almost like he would not see Patrick again for a long time. 'Get some sleep. You look knackered and pale.'

'Yeah, maybe I should go take a nap.' He could sense Delmar's eyes upon him. 'Cheers Delmar,' Patrick held his hand in the air again.

'Don't worry about those fools man. Just keep away from them and everything will be all right,' Delmar said. It was his turn to high-five Patrick's hand.

'You're right though. I got no business with them anyway,' Patrick said.

They greeted one more time and parted ways. Emily and Andrew were far ahead. Patrick recalled the expression in Victor's dark eyes. What bothered Patrick more, was the unnecessary bad comment he had made. Patrick knew he was not scared of them, but something about them bothered him though. Something was out of place, and yet he could not put his finger on it. They had a bad vibe around them. Patrick knew then that their paths would cross again in the near future. He also knew that when that day comes, it would not be a pretty sight. Patrick decided to stay out of their way as much as he possibly could, but sometimes certain things were simply unavoidable.