Black Rainbow

Kyle sat at the kitchen table with a cup of cold coffee sitting in front of him. He had originally intended to drink it, but his thoughts drew away from the necessity. Milo, a murderer. How? Kyle shook his head. He had to tell someone, but who? The police meant that he would never see Milo again. His boss? What the hell could they do? They’d send him to some funny farm in the middle of nowhere…



Kyle started at the idea. “An insanity plea! But… would it work? Of course! There’s no way Milo could have been in a normal state of mind when he killed those people. And after what his father did…” Kyle shuddered. “How could someone do that to their own child? No wonder the kid is messed up! So, that’s it; an insanity plea.” Kyle nodded.



He jumped when Milo spoke from the doorway. “Who are you talking to?”



Kyle looked back at Milo. “I was just thinking out loud. Come sit down.”



Milo walked across the kitchen, fixed himself a cup of coffee and seated himself across from Kyle. “So, what were you thinking about?”



“An insanity plea.”



“For who?”



“For you! You couldn’t possibly have been thinking straight when you … did those things. And that’s if you even did them! There’s no evidence, is there?”



“An insanity plea?” Milo chuckled softly. “I’m not crazy. I knew exactly what I was thinking. What, you think I just woke up one morning with those actions in mind? Hardly! I had plenty of time to plan. What’s it called again? Premeditated murder?”



Kyle’s face grew pale. “B-but there’s no evidence!”



“Of course there’s no evidence! You think I’d be dumb enough to leave evidence? If I was going to take the time to plan their deaths, I figured that I’d better plan for their disposal. You know, human flesh looks just like beef if you grind it up.”



Kyle shuddered. “Where? How could you do something like that and not have someone hear?”



Milo smirked. “You’d be surprised what people are willing to ignore if stopping it disturbs their schedule.”



“So what, you just ground them up? What’d you do with them after?” Kyle cringed at the anticipated answer.



“I threw them away, just like the garbage they were, just like they would have done to me, if I hadn’t been quicker.”



Kyle shook his head. “But, why? What made you do it? It couldn’t have just been what your father did-“



“Don’t you dare downplay what that bastard did to me! No way in hell am I going to suffer that again! Why did I do it? You should know that by now. I don’t like to be talked down too. That’s all they ever did and I refused to take it anymore.”



“But killing them? Was that really the only choice you thought you had?”



Milo scoffed. “Of course not. Their deaths were just the most satisfying resolution I could endure. Now, if you’re done playing twenty questions, I’m gonna go take a shower.” Milo stood and walked out of the room leaving his still steaming cup of coffee on the table.



Kyle held the phone to his ear with his shoulder as he pulled on a pair of slacks. A voice answered on the other end.



“Blooming Meadows Mental Health. This is Sharon, how can I help you?”



Kyle cleared his throat. “Hello Sharon. My name is Kyle Martins and I’m from Social Services. I’m doing some research for some of our charges and I would like to ask you a few questions.”



“Of course Mr. Martins. What would you like to know?”



Kyle paused for a moment. “Um, what happens when someone pleads insanity in court and is sent to your establishment?”



“Well, first they go through a psychological screening process to find out what their ailment is. After that, they are placed into a ward which specializes in their disability so that they may receive the best care possible.”



“Okay, and what about visiting. How does that work?”



“That depends on which ward the patient is placed on. Wards 1- 10 are allowed visitors for 1 hour per week with varying circumstances. Anyone in the last 5 wards are ruled to be unstable and visitors are not permitted.”



“So, for example, where would someone accused of murder go?”



“Again, that would depend on their ailment.”



“Let’s say they’re…. I dunno… a sociopath.”



“Well, depending on the severity of their condition, that could qualify them at a higher level. Also, age would be factored into their placement. Minors are permitted to be visited by their immediate family.”



“Alright, so about what level would a minor sociopath be placed at? Which ward would they be put into?”



“Let’s see, a minor sociopath. They would probably be placed in Ward 8 or 9.”



“So, they’d be permitted visitors outside of immediate family?”



“Well, because the patient is a minor that would be decided at the guardians’ discretion.”



“Thank you very much…”



“Sharon.”



“Yes, sorry about that. Thank you very much for all of your help Sharon. Have a nice day.” Kyle hung up the phone and glanced down at his notes. “Now, I just need to get Milo to agree to it.”



“Agree to what?” Milo walked into the kitchen and leaned against the counter.



“An insanity plea.”



Milo scoffed. “I thought you were off that tangent.”



“Milo, you have to turn yourself in.”



“Why?”



“Because it’s the right thing to do. And because you need help, even if you don’t think you do.”



Milo shrugged. “Whatever. So what, are you gonna turn me in if I don’t go in and do it?”



Kyle nodded solemnly. “I have to. It’s my job. Or would you rather I make a citizens’ arrest and haul you in myself?”



“Oh, handcuffs Kyle? You’re kinkier than I thought.” Milo chuckled. “So, what did Sharon have to say?”



“Huh, Sharon?” Kyle furrowed his eyebrows at the question.



“Duh. You have a phone in the hallway. I was a little late picking up on the conversation. So, what did she have to say?”



“Well, for starters, that you would get special privileges due to your being a minor. Also, because of your condition, you’re considered to be at a lower stability level.”



“And what condition would that be?”



“Well, by my observations, you’re a sociopath. Although I could be wrong on that count. Also, you would be placed in a Ward in which I could visit you.”



“Well, that’s convenient.”



“What do you mean by that?”



“Did you call the prison; find out the names of biggest guys? Want to get acquainted with the guys who’ll be fucking me while you’re gone?” Milo growled.



“What are you talking about? I want to be able to see you. Why else do you think I would try to get you placed in a mental ward? And you wouldn’t go to prison. You’d go to juvenile detention until you were eighteen and then you’d get transferred. I want you to go to the institution so you can get better and so I can see you.”



“You honestly think I can get better?” Milo sneered. “Talk about a dreamer. Kyle, I’ll never get better, not until people stop treating me like a child. For example, people making phone calls and trying to decide my future behind my back.” He reached across the counter and pulled a knife from the block. “Kyle, I thought you of all people would understand me. I thought you would understand why I did it. But, I guess I was wrong.”



He took a step closer to Kyle. Kyle’s eyes went wide and he began to back away. Kyle stepped to the side and put the table between himself and the boy. “Milo, why are you doing this?” His eyes darted to the door and then back to Milo.



Milo caught the action and placed himself in front of the door. “Ah ah ah.” He shook his head. “You won’t be leaving here tonight Kyle.” He sighed. “It’s a shame. I kind of liked you Kyle.” Without warning he dove across the table and slashed at Kyle. Kyle ducked a moment too late and got slashed across his left eye. He screamed in pain and clutched at his eye. Milo kicked Kyle to the floor. “And you had such pretty eyes.” He drew his foot back and kicked Kyle in the stomach, drawing pained moans between Kyle’s screams.



Milo raised the knife over his head and stood over the shuddering ball that was Kyle. He chuckled. “Pathetic. That’s what you are. A pathetic sniveling child. Are you going to cry? Go ahead and cry. Cry! Cry, damn you!” He viciously kicked Kyle in the ribs, turning the older man onto his back. He knelt down and straddled the older man’s hip with his knees. He slowly rotated the knife in his hands. “I’m honestly going to miss you Kyle. You’re the only one who lasted so long. It’s a pity really. But, the world doesn’t need any more sniveling crying children.”



At that moment, Kyle lashed out with his free hand. He caught Milo across the jaw, knocking the boy off-balance. Milo tumbled to the floor and Kyle rolled out of his reach. Kyle staggered to his feet and leaned against the nearby counter. Milo rose quickly and lunged at Kyle. “You’re gonna regret that! Bad children need to be punished!” He dove for the man but tripped. His knife slashed down Kyle’s leg leaving a deep gash which immediately began to bleed heavily. Milo fell to the floor. He scrambled to get up but was stopped at the sound of a gun’s hammer being drawn back.

Kyle stood over Milo; the drawer beside him was opened. He drew the hammer back on the gun he had placed there incase of a break in. “I liked you too Milo.” He grimaced as another wave of pain wracked his body.



Milo chuckled. “You won’t do it.”



“Oh really? Try me.” Kyle’s hand shook even as he spoke.



Milo slowly rose to his feet and took a step toward Kyle. Kyle pressed closer against the counter. Kyle glanced down at the floor, frantically trying to locate the knife. Milo smirked. “I don’t even need that to finish you.” He took another step closer. “Please, shoot me. Shoot me Kyle!” He laughed and took another step closer. He pressed his face close the Kyle’s and whispered, “You don’t have the balls.” At that, Milo fell to the floor unconscious. Kyle looked up at his own hand holding the gun, its butt now stained with blood.



Kyle scrambled around Milo’s unconscious form and grabbed the phone off the wall. He dialed 9-1-1 and waited for the operator to answer.



“9-1-1, what is your emergency?”



“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you. I’ve been attacked. My address is….” Kyle rattled off his address and waited until he heard sirens outside his house. He hung up the phone and hobbled toward the front door. Two officers with their guns drawn burst through the door and aimed at him. Kyle raised his arms and winced. “Don’t shoot. He’s in there.” He gestured back into the kitchen and collapsed onto the couch.