Anstine's debut

'So what did you think to dinner?'

'Alright, yeah.'

'You don't sound so enthused.'

'Oh no, it's fine! Sorry... I didn't mean to sound like that. It was nice, as always. You're a good cook.'

'Glad to hear it... though you still don't look happy.'

'Mm... It's not that.'

'Then what is it? Are you feeling okay, Tony?'

'...There's something on my mind. I've been burying it for a while, but now... I can't ignore it any more.'

'Sounds serious.'

'It is. It's nothing nice, at any rate...'

'I don't know if it's made news yet... you know Tristan Farrington? Teenage CEO, been in my classes?'

'Yeah. The mayor's son, right?'

'That's right... well, he's been attacked. Edward told me about it at work today.'

'Attacked?'

'...Tortured.'

'What? Really?!'

'Yep. It's his eye... they cut it out.'

'What the fuck?! Why?'

'Oh God, it's a very long story, and it's not really my place to tell it. Basically, the person who did it has a long standing grudge against Tate. The mayor, he used to be an assassin, and he killed this person's father-'

'Whoa, wait. The mayor was an assassin?'

'Yeah, and not the good type. This is all reliable stuff, Anstine... Edward's his brother, after all.'

'Fucking hell... No wonder you're upset if the kid's one of yours.'

'I know. But it's not just that. It's the identity of the person who did it. Because... oh God, I feel awful breaking Edward's trust like this, but you need to know. This person targeted Edward before, gave him his scars, all because he's related to Tate.'

'Oh Jesus... who is it, Tony?'

'...Miles Atwood.'

'What?! Are... are you sure?'

'Positive. Believe me. And it explains why Hazel's here at Sunset Valley High. Miles sent her here to intimidate Tate's kids, and probably to report back to him about them.'

'Fuck, man.'

'Tell me about it... Edward told me the full story, a little while ago now. He, Tate and Miles all grew up in Bridgeport. Part of the upper class elite.'

'...I guess he could tell us a lot about him.'

'Well yeah, he could, but it's traumatic for him. He was really shaken up by having to recall it. What Miles did to him was horrendous. It gave him PTSD too.'

'Poor guy... That's why you didn't tell me sooner about what Miles is really like?'

'I should have, I know. He's a sociopath who cuts people up. And now he's targeted a fucking kid. Maybe if I'd said something-'

'No, don't go there, it's not like anyone could've predicted it! Even if you had told me, I couldn't have stopped him from doing that to Tristan. Though I'm certainly keeping a closer fucking eye on him now, Christ.'

'Yeah... oh God, Isai!'

'...I'm gonna have to tell him. Hell, it's even more important for him to carry on now. This is fucking proof that Miles is up to no good in there. Someone who can do that... I don't trust him one bit.'

'But isn't Isai at even more of a risk now? Before you were just going off a theory, now you have evidence that Miles is evil...'

'You're right, but... I don't think I've got a choice. I really don't want Isai in this position, don't get me wrong, but...fuck!'

'What if he tells you to fuck off?'

'He probably will, but I'll have to persuade him. I'll ring him now...'