I was the Science Kid They Turned into a Suspect

As soon as I realized I’d been reborn, I rushed to the podium and beat my homeroom teacher half to death.

He just so happened to be my father.

And Calix Bornheim, my childhood buddy and brother in all but blood—happened to be my traitor too.

Before anyone could make sense of what was happening, he too was nearly dead in my hands.

The pressure of senior year made me a psycho—the only explanation my classmates’ little brains could come up with.

I was a “threat,” leaving the school principal no choice but to lock me up in a psych ward.

But that only thrilled me more than my father and my buddy’s blood. I laughed and sang like a guy who’d just been unshackled.

Because last time, right before SATs, Calix blew up the school lab.

The explosion wiped out half the class—bodies burned, twisted, beyond recognition.

But why did the cops come to my doorstep with a security footage to arrest me for a crime I didn’t commit?

I couldn’t defend myself. I just turned to Dad, begging him to tell them I wasn’t there.

I had an alibi. But the way he looked me dead in the eye…

“This boy’s always been rotten,” he told them. “Always talked about blowing up the school—even as a kid!”

The grieving parents went ballistic. They tore into me like animals, stabbing me over and over until I looked like a human hive!

This time, I swear, ‘I’m not gonna fucking let that happen again!’

——

“My god, it’s over! Bertrand’s gone mad from studying!”

“Dad! Dad! Come pick me up now! I don’t wanna die!”

“I told you studying too much fries your brain—our class genius just went nuts!”

The classroom was a disaster. Half of my classmates dove under desks while the othet half pounded the tables, unsure if they were terrified or thrilled.

They weren’t overreacting. I had marched up to the podium and smashed my own father—our teacher—into the floor until his legs folded the wrong way.

I turned to the class and scanned every pale face until I found him—Calix, the murderer I once called the buddy I woud die for.

I seized him by the collar. He fought in desperation. His resistance made the adrenaline burn through me like gasoline on fire.

I dragged him into the hallway and beat him till his nose broke and blood painted the lockers.

His screams echoed down like a horror film soundtrack.

Dad crawled after me, pleading between broken ribs. “S-Stop… beating… him… please!”

His words didn't stop me until teachers finally panicked and called the 911.

They dragged me to the psych ward, arms and legs strapped like I was feral. The doctor needed to evaluate whether I was insane… or just faking it.

Still bruised and bandaged, Dad had himself wheeled in just to bellow, “You’re not sick at all! Quit the goddamn act!”

The doctor merely shook her head as she scribbled the diagnosis onto my chart

“I’ve seen this pattern before. With a father like you? It’s no wonder this kid cracked. Honestly, you both need to be admitted and get treatment.”

“The SATs coming up!” Dad exploded, ripping the paperwork apart. “Do you know how important that is? Now, rewrite that stupid diagnosis! And watch what you say, doctor, or I’ll sue you!”

Eyes wide with disbelief, the doctor stood so fast her chair clattered backward.

“Sir. Your son is sick. You hear me? Sick. What’s more important—his sanity, or that SATs? He can retake the test, but he can’t grow a new brain!”

“Mr. Warburton has always been strict, but he’s a great father,” the school principal interrupted, siding with my father. “His methods might be extreme, but this kid’s always ranked top of the class—that’s thanks to having such a dedicated father!”

“But,” he continued, turning to and against Dad, “you need to listen, Mr. Warburton. Let your son stay here for treatment. The student body’s traumatized. Your son can’t just come back to the school now—not like this.”

Rage trembled in Dad’s body. In the end, he could only threaten me.

“Bertrand. If you don’t come home with me right now—I swear, you’re no son of mine anymore!”

Oh, the best thing I’ve heard all day! I started humming, “Today is such a beautiful day…”

Finally, he passed out from distress. And finally, I got what I wanted—a room in the psych ward, my sanctuary from the world outside.

Last time, Calix set off the explosion right after class ended.

Almost everyone was still in there at the time. When the fire cleared, all of them were just… chunks of meat on the smoky floor.