Oden had been like this ever since he heard about Tyrone's death.
He truly believed it was his fault.
He hadn't slept for two days. Every time he closed his eyes, the same thought repeated over and over in his mind.
I'm a murderer.
And even though Jonathan and Olivia both knew the truth. That it was most likely Oden's ability that killed Tyrone. Neither of them blamed him.
When Oden tried to turn himself in to the police, Jonathan had told him three things.
First, the police wouldn't prosecute him because he was a child.
Second, there was nothing that linked him to Tyrone's death in any official way.
And third, Oden couldn't control his powers.
Which meant the fault lay with the ability itself, not the child.
Jonathan refused to hold Oden accountable.
That only made Oden feel worse.
Officer Jeremy stared at the boy in front of him, shock evident on his face.
"What did you just say, little one?" he asked softly.
He had already noticed this child was the youngest in the room. No more than six years old.
Oden raised his head, tears streaming down his face.
"I killed him!" he shouted. "It was my snakes! My snakes killed him! I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I didn't want to!"
Jonathan stood up immediately and wrapped his arms around Oden.
"Calm down," he said gently. "Calm down, Oden."
Officer Jeremy rubbed his temple and sighed.
"…Well," he muttered, "this is a mess."
Mrs. Smith leaned forward sharply.
"What is this child talking about?" she demanded.
"That's exactly what I want to find out," Officer Jeremy replied. "But he doesn't seem to be in a state to explain himself."
He turned to Jonathan.
"Mr. Johnson. Am I correct in assuming you have some idea of what your son is trying to say?"
Jonathan shook his head slightly.
"Please don't mind him, Officer," he said. "He's just in shock. The whole situation overwhelmed him, and he feels like it's his fault."
Internally, Jonathan sighed.
Now that I know he was being bullied… it makes sense.
Oden explained that his snakes only react when they sense he's in danger. If that kid was bullying him, the snakes might have identified him as a threat.
I feel bad for the child. I really do. Some people might not, but I find it extreme to die because of bullying. Jail time would suffice. Still… you reap what you sow.
Mrs. Smith's hands trembled as she slammed them onto the table.
"I cannot accept that excuse," she said. "Any lead that brings us closer to how my son was murdered, I want it."
She pointed directly at Oden.
"This child just admitted to killing my son. We cannot just gloss over this."
Jonathan looked directly at Lisa.
"Mrs. Smith," he said, "you cannot seriously be taking the words of a six-year-old to heart."
Lisa clenched her fists.
"Trust me, Mr. Johnson, I don't want to," she replied. "But so far, as a family, we have no leads. So we'll take any we can."
Jonathan opened his mouth.
"You—"
Before he could continue, Officer Jeremy stepped forward, stopping beside Jonathan and the still-crying Oden.
"Mr. Johnson," the officer said carefully, "can you give me a second to speak with him?"
Jonathan snapped his head toward him.
"You want me to let you interrogate my six-year-old son?" he said sharply. "Are you crazy?"
Officer Jeremy immediately raised both hands.
"Oh, no, nothing like that," he said quickly. "I just want to talk to him."
Mia crossed her arms.
"Jonathan," she said, "just let the officer talk to the kid."
Jonathan turned to her slowly.
"I know you don't like Oden," he said coldly. "And I never say anything about it. So I don't need your input on what to do with my son."
Mia chuckled.
"Of course I don't like him," she said. "And I wouldn't even be surprised if that monster actually killed the boy."
"Mom!" Olivia shouted.
Mia shrugged.
"What? It's the truth."
The silence that followed was immense.
Principal Rose cleared her throat.
"Mr. Johnson," she said carefully, "I believe it would be in everyone's best interest for Officer Jeremy to speak with Oden one-on-one. Instead of Oden being charged and sent to prison for an actual interrogation."
Jonathan narrowed his eyes.
"Well, Principal Rose," he replied, "that would be unlawful."
Mrs. Rose smiled politely.
"I know," she said. "I was simply trying to make an example."
Jonathan sighed.
"…Fine," he said. "Just don't say anything harmful to my son."
Officer Jeremy nodded.
"Don't worry, Mr. Johnson," he said. "I'll keep everything light."
He knelt down in front of Oden.
"Hello, buddy."
Oden had stopped crying by then. His eyes were dry, empty. He stared at Officer Jeremy without responding.
The officer cleared his throat.
"Your name is Oden, right?" he asked. "Do you know what your name means?"
"It means boiled dish," Oden replied flatly.
Officer Jeremy chuckled awkwardly, then stopped.
"…Right," he said. "You don't have much of a sense of humor, do you?"
He took a breath.
"Well, Oden, buddy. Can you tell me what you meant when you said you were the reason Tyrone went to heaven?"
"It was my snake," Oden said. "They bit him."
"Snake?" Officer Jeremy repeated, confused. "Can you tell me more about that?"
"When Tyrone was about to hit me," Oden said, "it jumped and bit him."
Officer Jeremy slowly looked around the room.
Every face reflected the same confusion he felt.
He swallowed.
"Oden," he said gently, "when Tyrone was taken to the hospital, nothing indicating a bite or poison was found. Are you sure you're not mistaken?"
"But it was me!" Oden shouted.
"Okay, okay," Officer Jeremy said quickly. "Calm down."
He turned to Olivia, Mell, and Kell.
"Did any of you see snakes attack Tyrone?"
All three shook their heads.
"No."
"They didn't see it," Oden said. "Because only I can see them. Even Olivia and Father can't."
Jonathan rubbed the back of his head.
"…Okay, buddy," he said quietly. "Thank you for your time."
He stood and faced Lisa.
"Mrs. Smith," he said, "I hope you can see now that we have no case here."
Lisa hesitated, then nodded.
"I can see," she said.
Principal Rose sighed.
"He may be blaming himself because Tyrone passed while bullying him," she said. "It could be a form of withdrawal."
She looked at Jonathan.
"Mr. Johnson, it would be in your best interest to have your son see a therapist."
Jonathan nodded.
"I will," he said. "Thank you."
Oden sat there silently.
His chest felt tight.
Why won't anyone believe me?
I killed him.