Garbage Day
Callum
When I spot her underneath him, everything comes flooding back in. Although she still doesn't know that I intervened that night, I’m ready for her to find out. About that night and everything since then.
We were in high school together briefly—she was in grade nine while I was in grade eleven. Most would call the colour of her hair light brown, but I’ve always thought of it as a mixture of darkened autumn leaves, faded from their bright fall colours but not crisp yet.
From the first time I noticed her, I became utterly obsessed.
I was at the Burger Bar with a couple of my friends.
When she walked in, time stood still. I’d seen her before, at school and around town, but I never recognized her beauty until that day.
I was instantly curious about her. She sat at a booth by herself and read a book about the brain’s functionality.
She seemed so consumed by it. After that day, I began to gather little bits of information about her.
I watched her from time to time, but not too intensely.
I convinced my grandfather to donate a bunch of money to the university that went toward scholarships for psychology majors.
I may have tweaked her application. If I didn't, she probably wouldn’t have been able to go to Langford.
My obsession didn’t escalate until her name came up during initiations.
She didn’t deserve what was going to happen to her.
Braden, a third-year pledge, wanted to drug and rape her.
She caught his eye at the gym. Usually, townies are off limits, but she didn’t have anyone to protect her. Until she had me.
I tried to convince Braden to pick someone else, but he wouldn’t listen.
I couldn’t tell him why it couldn’t be her, but then I saw him slip the roofie in her drink, after I warned him.
I sat by the pool and watched her. She briefly caught me looking at her.
How I wish she could’ve seen the warning in my eyes.
At The Society, initiations are conducted to pledge one’s allegiance.
What they don’t tell you is that they’re also used as something to hold against any guy that wants to leave.
The Society holds people captive against their will—that’s why once you’re in, you’re in for life.
Unless you kill someone and try to frame someone else in The Society, like Elliot.
That’s how you get kicked out, and what he did was a strict violation of club policy.
Elliot was asked to step back, so he involved Braden in his initiation task.
And when the time was right, he decided to commit the crime.
I watched her walk upstairs, staggering all over the place. Shortly after, Braden, Mack, and Elliot went up as well. I stood by the pool, knowing that something wasn’t right.
I slipped my gloves on and made my way up the stairs, unsure of what I was about to see. All I knew was that I couldn't let her become a victim. I’ve seen how pain ruins people, how it rips them apart, and I didn't want that to happen—especially not to her.
I opened the door and saw him on top of her.
I could hear her whimper before I saw her face.
Lava flowed through my veins. I grabbed him from behind and pulled him off of her.
Before I knew it, I was on top of him, my fists smashing into his face in swift motions.
Braden called my name, begging me to stop.
He didn't want the blood on his hands. Elliot should’ve never fucking been there.
I stood and threw Elliot toward Braden. “Take him. Far away from here,” I said.
Elliot reached for help as he tried to stand.
Mack helped him up and they left the room.
As the door opened, the light from the hallway reflected against Scarlett’s face.
A beacon of light, shining on someone so innocent, someone who needed my protection—an angel.
I walked over to her with caution. I didn't want to scare her. For the first time, I felt the need to comfort someone. I saw the pain through her closed eyes and stroked my cool gloved hand over her porcelain skin.
“Never again,” I promised. She didn't hear me.
I pulled her shorts back up and looked around for a blanket. I didn't see one.
I walked out of the room. My hand lingered on the handle before I closed the door. I never wanted to leave her, but she didn't know me like I knew her. I didn’t want to scare her. So instead, I waited for her.
I pull Elliot up by his hair and bring his face close to mine, so he can feel my spit on his face.
“Finish that fucking sentence, I dare you,” I repeat.
He smirks. A small laugh escapes his mouth, and in that moment, I decide it will be the last sound he’ll ever make.
I grab a larger fist full of his hair and bash his head off the ground. I don’t stop—I can’t.
Blood pours from the back of his skull as I repeatedly hit it off the ground.
Then, I see her. Standing over in the corner, watching me. She doesn’t look away. Now, she sees all that I am and all that I’ve become. The pain in her eyes brings me back to that night—the pain I swore she’d never feel again.
I let go of him and my hands fall at my sides. Blood pools underneath my feet. I slowly walk over to her.
She stands motionless as I approach her with my bloody hands. Her face is frozen in a permanent state of shock.
“He’s dead.” Her eyes trail upon Elliot’s lifeless body.
“I had to,” is all that I say.
She doesn’t say anything, she doesn’t have to. Instead, she reaches up and strokes the side of my face. Even after I showed her the worst parts of me, she still treats me with such kindness and love.
“I couldn’t hide it forever, now you’ve seen all of me. You have me, forever.” My blood covered hand reaches for hers.
I pull her in close.
There’s a passion between us that I’ve never felt before, and my heart picks up as she steps closer. Love and lust combine as I place my lips on hers. The fire that lives in me ripples through our mouths, creating harmony.
Just as I begin to get lost in her taste, she pulls back.
“Callum, what are we going to do about…” She nods toward Elliot’s body.
“I’ll take care of it.”
“I can help, I just—”
“No, I don’t want you involved. You’ve already seen too much. I didn’t mean for you to see all of that, but when I heard him laugh, a rage built inside of me that I couldn’t hide. After all he’s done to you, he needed to pay.”
I touch the back of my hand to her cheek, calming her.
Her eyes grow as she meets my gaze.
“Callum—” She covers her mouth. “It was you.” Her words rock me to my core.
“It was you that night that stopped Elliot. You dragged him off of me, and then you brushed the back of your hands on my face, but they were cool?”
“I had my gloves on.” She remembers. I don’t react.
I search my pocket for the small pack of sour gummies I placed inside.
I pull out a yellow one and hold it up to her mouth. She looks at me as she opens it—there’s something sexual about it.
I break our eye contact and walk over to Elliot. He’s stopped bleeding.
I sigh. “Good riddance,” I mumble.
I scan the room for cameras and find none. I pull out my phone and call Harrison.
“Hello.” He answers on the second ring.
“There’s been a situation.”
“What do you need?”
“A large bag, some tape, and some bleach.” He knows what that means.
“Who did you kill?”
“Shane Elliot.”
“Jesus Christ, Callum.”
“Where are you?” He adds.
“In his office at Langford.”
“I’ll bring supplies. Think of a way to get him out of there before I get to you.”
He hangs up.
I wish I could say that I’m not happy with myself, but the truth is, I’m so fucking proud. Excitement seeps out of my pores. This man was the definition of trash. He killed people, he lied, he violated women, he stole, he cheated. He was everything that everyone hated.
I know there will be consequences, and I’ve already accepted them. I’m willing to pay whatever price to help Scarlett fight her own demons.