"This is seriously getting out of hand Abel!" snarled
Father Joseph as he looked through the chat logs blowing up across
the 10th grade:
-- "Daisy isn't
back? I thought she and Zakhrov were an item?" --
-- "She was,
but now she's gone. No one knows where she is." --
-- "Damn! Maybe
we need to look at the bottom of the river!" --
-- "My mom
works in ICE, she heard that somebody had an emergency deportation.
Maybe it was her family?" --
-- "No way! I
bet Zakhrov put them on ice!" --
-- "Yeah!
That's a cover-up for sure! Daisy's probably sleeping with the
fishes, and her folks had to scram!" --
Father Abel sighed
wearily, "Daisy was indeed deported by ICE. I made the
arrangements for their safe flight to the UK myself," he said.
"I don't like
this Abel. Zakhrov is catching too much attention, and not in a good
way. I have half a mind to get him out of the school," said
Father Joseph.
"On what
grounds? He's done nothing wrong, his grades are excellent -"
began Father Abel.
"I said I
wanted him gone, not expelled. Although if he slips up, I'm not
passing up that chance," snapped Father Joseph.
"To protect the
school's reputation?" asked Father Abel, his voice cold.
"It's two sides
of the same damn coin Abel! I can't have the entire 10th grade
thinking that the kid's a mobster who's twisting my arm to keep him!"
shouted Father Joseph.
"No, we can't
have a kid lean into the rumors of him being a mobster, while the
politically connected kid who started the rumors gets a free pass,"
said Father Abel, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
"Watch it Abel!
I don't have your luxury! I've got the school board breathing down my
neck, to get to the bottom of this mess!" shouted Father Joseph.
"Well then,
release the statement with the information that I gave you!"
snapped Father Abel.
"You know that
info is radioactive Abel! With no witnesses, all we have is
circumstantial evidence of domestic abuse! We'll be up to our necks
in libel lawsuits!" shouted Father Joseph.
"Fine, then
just inform the student body that Daisy had to leave because of
familial reasons. At least that will put a stop to the kids thinking
she's at the bottom of the river," sighed Father Abel.
----
"Mr. Zakhrov
please report to the principal's office," said Vice Principal
Catherine entering the computer lab with a grim expression on her
face.
It was shortly after
lunch break on a bright day, a week before midterms. Aaron quietly
packed away his things and left for the principal's office.
Aaron fell into step
behind Catherine as she led the way towards the principal's office.
Catherine seemed to be struggling to find the words to express
herself.
"I want you to
know that I'm not some old prude Mr. Zakhrov," she finally said.
"I never
thought you were Ms. Davis, what is this summons about?" asked
Aaron.
"It appears
that you have been writing some erotic material," said
Catherine.
"That material
is on my personal desktop at home and not written during school
hours," said Aaron.
"I understand
Mr. Zakhrov, and believe me. If I were principal, this would not be
an issue, at least not this big of one," said Catherine as she
opened the door to the principal's office.
Ivan, Annette,
Father Abel, Emily and Sarah were all seated in rough wooden chairs.
Father Joseph himself, sat at his walnut desk with an expression of
unbridled fury.
"What in Hell's
name is this you filthy degenerate!" thundered Father Joseph
throwing down a stack of papers in front of Aaron.
Aaron eyed the
papers with a neutral expression. Sure enough, it was an excerpt of
one of the more graphic scenes from his game.
"Father Joseph,
possession of pornographic material is a minor offense in the St.
Ignatius rules. This reaction is unwarranted. I recommend a fine and
counseling," said Father Abel firmly.
"Father Joseph,
simple pornography is indeed harmless, but this vile piece of media
is surely the product of a dangerous mind. I recommend that Mr.
Zakhrov be expelled immediately! I cannot believe this wretch was
near my precious Emily, and I'm sure he has probably done despicable
things to poor Daisy Eddington!" said Sarah, her face a mask of
righteous indignation.
"Senator
Clarke, I can assure you that those rumors are unfounded. Ms.
Eddington came to both Father Abel and myself and assured us that
Aaron's behavior was gentlemanly and chivalrous," said
Catherine.
Stolen story; please report.
"Ms. Eddington
also came to me for help when her father told her that they were
going to be deported to the United Kingdom. I'm the one who arranged
for her smooth departure from the school. Your investigation was
carried out illegally and is a clear breach of Mr. Zakhrov's right to
privacy," said Father Abel glaring at Sarah.
"I have a right
to protect my child! This degenerate sits no more than 7 feet away
from her in class!" shouted Sarah.
"Mommy please!
I don't feel safe around him!" squealed Emily, perfectly playing
the traumatized girl.
"Father Joseph,
please listen to reason. Aaron has done nothing wrong. And this
material while graphic, hurts nobody. It is on a private repository,
and is a healthy and creative outlet. The writing of this material
points to an intelligent and inquisitive mind, curious about the
darker aspects of human society. I repeat. Aaron - has - done -
nothing - wrong!" pleaded Father Abel.
"I cannot
believe you would write this!" said Annette, her voice trembling
in pain and fury.
"Silence
Everyone!" thundered Father Joseph. He turned to Aaron and
shouted:
"St. Ignatius
Academy is no safe haven for degenerate trash! This material proves
that you are a danger to women and girls around you! Out of my sight!
You are expelled, and you shall never defile our hallowed halls with
your disgusting presence again!"
Annette stood up and
slapped Aaron hard across the face. "You are no son of mine! I
wish I had aborted you! How dare you write such horrible things!"
she screamed.
"Annette!
Please! That's enough!" said Ivan holding her back from hitting
Aaron again.
"Get off me
Ivan! This is also your fault for indulging him! I told you I will
not tolerate toxic male behavior in my house!" raged Annette.
"I shall leave
Mr. and Mrs. Zakhrov," said Aaron, nursing the side of his face
that Annette had slapped.
"Aaron! Please!
Let's calm down and discuss this at home!" said Ivan, but Aaron
shook his head.
"I refuse to
bring any more damage to your reputation, or your marriage. I shall
leave and fend for myself," said Aaron, his eyes like ice and
his tone brooking no argument. He turned to Sarah and Emily.
"I accept full
responsibility for this incident. I ask that my former parents be
left alone," he said his eyes boring into Sarah's
Seeing the
devastation on Ivan's face and Father Abel's dismay. Sarah suppressed
a smile of cruel satisfaction.
She gave Aaron a
curt nod, but Aaron shook his head. "I want your assurances in
writing and notarized Senator," he said.
"You are in no
position to dictate terms to me, you vile little boy," snarled
Sarah.
Aaron just nodded.
"Mr. and Mrs.
Zakhrov, may I see you in my office please? And Ms. Davis, can you
keep Aaron in your office for a while?" asked Father Abel,
shaking with suppressed rage, he ushered Ivan and Annette out of the
office.
Catherine nodded
curtly and ushered Aaron out of the principal's office.
Father Abel steered
Ivan and Annette into his office and slammed the door shut.
"I am appalled
at your behavior and cowardice! That boy didn't need a slap in the
face! He needed a hug and assurance that you love him!" shouted
Father Abel.
"How dare you!
He's turned into a degenerate!" yelled Annette.
"One more word
out of you, and I'll show you what a true degenerate does!"
thundered Father Abel.
He looked at Ivan
and Annette in cold fury.
"Have either of
you heard of the term BDSM? It is a form of relationship where one
party is dominant and another is submissive. It is not a mainstream
phenomenon, but it does have a large base of practitioners who engage
in such activities in a safe and consensual manner. Aaron's game, is
a fictional depiction of such a relationship. I suppose some of this
is my fault. I warned Aaron not to discuss his urges with you,
presuming that you wouldn't understand. And now, it has come to
this!" he said bitterly.
"You knew about
this?!" asked Ivan incredulously.
"Would it have
changed today's outcome? My pleas were not just for Father Joseph,
but also for you! I told you. Aaron did nothing wrong! If you were
more supportive, you could have threatened legal action! You heard
what Sarah Clarke said! She used her connections to hack Aaron's
GitHub account!" shot back Father Abel.
Ivan hung his head,
wracked with guilt and shame.
Father Abel sighed
wearily. "Ivan, what are your feelings. Annette has made hers
perfectly clear." he asked
"I feel sick to
my stomach, Father Abel! I hate myself for not trying to stand up for
Aaron!" sobbed Ivan.
Annette folded her
arms and refused to meet Father Abel's eyes.
"The two of you
need to reach an agreement. Either you both want Aaron back, or he
goes to neither of you. I refuse to let Aaron return to a house where
he is not wanted or accepted," said Father Abel sternly.
"I want my
sweet baby boy back. Not that filthy degenerate who wrote such
harmful things!" said Annette.
"Annette, Aaron
still is your sweet baby boy. He just needs help!" pleaded Ivan.
Annette viciously
slapped Ivan. "Don't you dare tell me you condone his actions
Ivan Zakhrov! I warned you that I have no patience for toxic men! Now
you either choose us or choose that degenerate!" screamed
Annette.
"Ivan, forget
what Annette has said for a moment. Can you accept Aaron for what he
is? Can you give him love and support, and let him explore safe ways
to express himself?" asked Father Abel as Ivan collapsed into
renewed sobs.
"Why is he like
this? He should have known better after the horrible things Daisy's
father went through!" cried Ivan.
"A disposition
for sadism can occur in anyone. What matters is how you deal with it.
By making this game Aaron created a safe outlet for him to express
his desires. That is not something to be ashamed of," said
Father Abel.
Annette sprang to
her feet. "I cannot bear this anymore! Ivan, I'm pregnant, and
I'm leaving. Either come with me or go to hell!" she screeched,
turned on her heel and stormed out of the office.
Ivan stared at the
door for a few seconds before turning to Father Abel.
"I hope Aaron
forgives me for this, but I cannot abandon my wife and new child,"
he said emotionlessly, completely broken by the ordeal. With almost
robotic movements he left after Annette.
Father Abel sighed
wearily. He had hoped Ivan would be more supportive, but that seemed
to not be the case. With a heavy heart, he left for Catherine's
office.
A worried Catherine
Davis opened her door to Father Abel. "He's just been sitting
there. I don't know what to do," she whispered.
Father Abel looked
remorsefully at Aaron who sat in a chair looking at a spot on the
wall.
"My parents
left didn't they?" said Aaron.
"Yes,"
sighed Father Abel.
Aaron nodded. "Looks
like Annette will finally have the daughter she always wanted. I saw
the sonogram before I left this morning," he said quietly.
Father Abel gently
took Aaron in his arms and embraced him.
Aaron's emotionless
mask finally broke, and he cried loudly and profusely into Father
Abel's black cassock.
"I'm quite sure
your father will come around even if your mom won't," said
Father Abel after Aaron had stopped crying, but Aaron shook his head.
"I've accepted
the fact that they will not be able to accept me as I am. I wish to
fend for myself. Father Abel, can your friend Mr. Esposito emancipate
me?" asked Aaron.
Both Father Abel and
Catherine looked at him with a hint of worry. It looked like some of
Aaron's humanity had just died. His demeanor had become colder,
almost machine-like and there was an icy determination in his eyes.
However, Father Abel nodded.
"Hold down the
fort here Cathy, I'll take Aaron and pay a visit to Esposito."
he told Catherine and left with Aaron following close behind him.
