The Roar by Clayton Emma Read Free Book Online Page A

do you think happened to him?’ David asked. ‘A boy doesn’t start choking to death for no reason.’
    ‘I have absolutely no idea,’ the doctor replied. ‘Who knowsthe workings of a prepubescent mind? Has he got any problems in school or at home?’
    Asha and David looked at each other and their hearts sank horribly.
    ‘Yes,’ David said, his eyes dropping to the floor. He didn’t want to tell the grey-faced doctor about Mika’s obsession with Ellie, but felt he had no choice. ‘His twin sister died a year ago and he refuses to believe she’s dead.’
    ‘Ah,’ the doctor said. ‘That could explain things. Twins have a strong bond – losing a twin brother or sister is like losing a part of yourself.’
    ‘So you think this was all in his head?’ Asha asked. ‘That he made this choking thing up?’
    ‘It’s possible,’ replied the doctor. ‘I think he should talk to someone. He needs to see a counsellor and come to terms with his sister’s death. He’s obviously a very disturbed boy.’
    They nodded in reluctant agreement.
    ‘One more thing,’ the doctor continued. ‘I noticed Mika has webbed feet and yet he isn’t registered as a mutant on his medical records. Why is that?’
    ‘We didn’t know he was a mutant until a day after he was born,’ Asha replied. ‘Ellie’s mutation was more obvious – she was born with webbed fingers and they operated on her shortly after birth, but Mika’s toes were overlooked because nobody noticed. Does it matter?’
    ‘Legally he should be registered,’ the doctor said.
    ‘Why?’ Asha asked. ‘The mutation doesn’t affect him in any way, and mutated kids get bullied and treated as if there’s something wrong with them.’
    ‘I know,’ the doctor replied, shrugging. ‘But you must do it, it’s the law. You can register him in reception when you pay the bill.’
    He turned and walked quickly away, leaving Mika’s confused parents trying to feel pleased he was better whilst coming to terms with the fact that he was a very disturbed boy.
    ‘Don’t worry,’ David said, hugging Asha. ‘He’ll be fine in a few months. We’ll get him to talk to someone about Ellie, yeah? And we’ll try not to get so angry with him. Perhaps we should encourage him to take up a sport or something so he doesn’t spend so much time brooding in Ellie’s bed. What do you think?’
    ‘I don’t know,’ Asha sobbed. ‘I just love him and I want him to be well again.’
    * * *
    A few weeks passed, and although Mika was sullen when he first started seeing his counsellor, Helen, he grew to like her very much. He went to her apartment every Wednesday after school. She was old and took ages to get to the door and she always ran out of milk and sugar sub or tea powder, so what Mika drank had an apology attached and something missing, but it didn’t matter. Although being with her was sometimes boring, a bit like visiting a granny, her apartment, full of old paper books, plastic plants and curious ornaments, was the only place Mika felt he could relax, because Helen was the only person who even considered the possibility that Ellie was still alive.
    ‘You know you’re not supposed to believe me,’ he said, sipping his tea. ‘You’re supposed to be curing my insanity, not making it worse.’
    ‘I know,’ she replied, giggling hoarsely. ‘Do you want a biscuit?’
    ‘I’ll get them if you want,’ Mika offered.
    ‘No, you stay there, gorgeous, I can manage.’
    Mika watched her get up from the sofa and shuffle towards the kitchen area. Rain hit the window like handfuls of grit, and the only other noises were the ticking of Helen’s old clock and the sound of her breathing as she slowly bent down to get the biscuits out of the cupboard. She looked as delicate as the antique china she had on her shelves, as if she would shatter if she fell, yet he knew her appearance was deceptive, that it hid a bomb-proof interior; she looked like a witch, dressed like a baglady