Page 86 of The Player
“You don’t want to know.”
At that moment, Paul came into the room to tell us he was about to switch with the night manager, Fred. He offered to introduce us to him, but Zye butted in, “Frankie’s tired. Just take him to bed.” And Paul nodded in agreement. “We can do introductions another day,” he said and led us out into the hallway.
As we started to climb the stairs, I saw a lady go into the games room after us and tell Zye it was time for bed. If someone else had been in that room, I would’ve sworn it was them that hollered back, “No,” and not Zye, as the lady shook her head and muttered, “Here we go again.”
Silent boy wasn’t so silent anymore, and I felt like I should run back down and help him, but I had to stay with Frankie.
“He’ll be okay,” Paul said, trying to make me feel better. “Zye doesn’t like being taken to his dorm. He has nightmares.”
I didn’t question him, just let him lead us to a dorm, and when we walked in, all the boys were sitting on their beds, some reading, some playing cards. Most were already in their pyjamas. Our bags were on top of two beds next to the window, and Paul walked us over to them and told us to get washed up ready for bed. He helped us to find the bathroom, stayed with us as we got changed, and then glanced at his watch and cursed that he was late. He told us he didn’t normally stay this long after his shift, but he wanted to settle us in for our first night.
I wanted to ask him if Zye was okay, but when he said, “If you have any problems, speak to Obi. He’ll look after you,” I froze.
I wouldn’t speak to Obi. I’d rather figure stuff out myself.
But I smiled and said, “Thank you.”
I asked him one last time if my mum was coming to pick us up in the morning, but he ruffled my hair and said, “She’ll be here when she’s here, but it won’t be tomorrow.”
I didn’t know what he meant, but it wasn’t a no. That was all that mattered.
Later, when the lights were turned out and all the other boys got into bed, I pushed my bed closer to Frankie’s and climbed in, reaching across to hold his hand. Obi pushed his bed across the door so no one could get out. He was like the guard of the room. Then he whisper-yelled, “Be fucking quiet and we’ll all have a good night, yeah?”
I didn’t trust him, so I stayed awake as long as I could.
Outside in the hallway, I could hear other boys shouting, arguing, fighting, but in our room, it stayed quiet, and eventually, I fell asleep.
ChapterThirty-Seven
WILL
The Story of Clivesdon House
Nineteen Years Ago
The next morning, and every morning after that was like starting over again with Zye.
He sat in the window, refusing to speak. Occasionally, he’d look down at Frankie playing or watching TV, having a momentary break from his window gazing. By the afternoon, he’d open up a little and answer me when I spoke, but he only ever spoke in whispers. Then, at night-time, he’d scream at the ladies that he didn’t want to go to his dorm. He hated them. Hated this house. Hated everyone and everything. He saved his big voice for them, and boy, did he know how to use it.
One day, when Frankie was playing with a tea set, he waddled over to Zye and gave him an imaginary cup of tea. Zye looked at the cup placed in his lap and said, “You’re lucky.” I thought he meant having my brother with me, but he sighed and glanced out the window again. “I wish I was in Obi’s dorm.”
I had to admit, Obi hadn’t been as mean as I thought he was. He swore a lot and told the other boys off if they started anything. But he saved his own fights for the staff. I never saw him hit another kid.
“What’s your dorm like?” I asked, and Zye’s body went stiff as he took a sharp intake of breath.
“You don’t want to know.”
“You say that a lot.” I rolled my eyes, knowing he couldn’t see me.
“So, trust what I say then.”
I didn’t say anything else. Sometimes, it was easier to sit in silence with Zye. Talking was hard work.
Then suddenly, Zye added, “Obi takes care of you. If you’re close to him, you’ll be okay.”
“You should ask them to put you in our dorm,” I replied, but he shook his head.
“I’ve asked already. They always say no.”
