Chapter 3
I tossed Kieran into the tub and turned on the faucet in one swift move.
He struggled wildly, but I pinned him down.
[Jasmine's no damsel in distress. She've got the strength and the means.]
Water reached Kieran's chin. He panicked, "Are you trying to kill me, crazy woman?"
"Didn't you say this was fun?" I grabbed his head and shoved him under.
He coughed as water entered his nose and throat.
I counted to three, then dragged him out like a wet kitten.
Kieran gasped for air, chest rising and falling.
The chat panel flooded with [Just a novel plot, don't try this.]
"Did you have fun?" I asked him.
He stayed silent, so I laughed mockingly and shoved him down.
"No, it's not fun," he stammered, clutching my arm with cold fingers.
I'd turned on the cold water.
I released Kieran and turned on the shower.
Hot water warmed him.
"Did you ever think how much it hurts a little bird to die?" I asked.
He was scared and cried when I yelled at him.
"Mom said people go to heaven when they die. I just wanted to know what happens to birds." he sobbed.
Kieran finally looked like a real kid, crying hard, snot and tears flowing.
I cupped his face, softer now. "He's alive, not a toy or experiment.
"Do you get it?"
He nodded.
"Can you change on your own?" I asked.
Kieran nodded, his cheeks burning.
I shook the drops from my dress and left the bathroom.
I had the maid make Kieran hot lemon and honey and called the family doctor.
He caught a cold and was silent for two days.
On the third day, Professor Lam, Megan, called me to school.
Kieran had hit a boy in his class.
When I entered Professor Lam's office, Kieran was standing as punishment.
He had a cut on his left mouth, a red swollen handprint on his right cheek, and was filthy, as if he'd rolled on the ground.
He turned his face away when he saw me.
The boy he hit was Leonard Flynn, with a bandaged head, crying.
Leonard's mom saw me and pulled him over. "You're Kieran's mom? Your kid hurt my son!"
Megan said, "Mrs. Fox, Kieran has an unusual personality. He doesn't fit in and often clashes with other kids.
"Today, he almost gave Leonard a concussion."
[Leonard started it.]
[Leonard has bullied Kieran since grade school.]
I checked the chat panel and figured out what happened.
"My precious boy is meant for the Ivy League! What if it ruins his intelligence?" Leonard's mom fretted.
She kept demanding we pay.
I sent Leonard's mom cash immediately.
Even after the money, she pushed Kieran to write and publicly deliver an apology tomorrow.
I asked Megan, "Are there any cameras here?"
Leonard's mom frowned. "Why ask about cameras? What do you mean?"
I stayed calm. "Mrs. Flynn, please stay calm. Your son was hurt, and we've compensated you.
"But my kid got injured too. It was a mutual fight."
Leonard's mom flared, "So my son can't defend himself?"