Wood - For Reasons Unknown

It could have been any sitting room in any house throughout the country but it wasnt. It was a room in the middle of South Yorkshire Police HQ, designed to give a relaxed, homely atmosphere. From the outside, it looked friendly and inviting, but if walls could talk they would tell a different story. Here, parentless children were comforted; victims of rape and sexual abuse were given tea and sympathy; and elderly victims of brutal crimes were consoled by fresh-faced WPCs with soothing tones and a never-ending supply of tissues.

Sitting on the floor was a blond, blue-eyed eleven-year-old boy dressed in a grey tracksuit that didnt belong to him. He was surrounded by blank sheets of paper and an array of wax crayons, coloured pencils, and felt-tip pens. Squatting next to him was a young PC, who, against orders from his superiors, had not changed out of uniform.

The door opened and in walked Dr Sally McCartney. Unlike the PC, she had softened her appearance. Gone were the severe ponytail and conservative jacket. She had removed her glasses and suffered the anxiety of touching her eyes to put in contact lenses. She shot the PC a look of indignation. He could have at least taken off his uniform jacket.

Hello Jonathan, she said. The young boy didnt look up from his drawings. My name is Sally. Ive come to have a chat with you if thats all right?

He continued to scribble on the paper. Sally McCartney knelt down to his level and looked over his shoulder. He had drawn a house and was colouring in a large tree next to it.

Is this your house?

Jonathan nodded.

Its very nice. Thats a lovely tree too. Do you climb it? No reply. Which room is yours?

He pointed to the top right window with the blue curtains, then went back to colouring in the tree.

Is the room next to yours your brothers?

He nodded again.

Jonathan, weve been looking for your brother but we cant seem to find him. Do you know where he might be?

Jonathan stopped drawing and looked up as if in thought. He looked across to Dr McCartney and fixed her with an expressionless stare, then returned his attention back to his drawing.

Jonathan, we need to find your brother. Its very important. Do you know any of his friends?

The door opened and Detective Sergeant Pat Campbell popped her head into the room. She looked haggard, having been on duty for more than twenty hours. She signalled for Dr McCartney to join her in the corridor.

Why didnt that PC change out of his bloody uniform as I told him to? she asked before the DS could speak.

I dont know. He should have done. The DS sighed and looked to the ceiling. Has the boy said anything?

Not yet.

It is paramount we find his brother.

I heard that his mother was still alive. How is she?

I dont know where you heard that from. Both parents were pronounced dead at the scene. They were hacked to death.

Jesus. Well he doesnt need to know any of that. Not now at any rate.

Weve managed to locate a relative in Newcastle. Shes coming straight down, but itll be a few hours before she gets here. Look, whatever happened in that house, he saw it, or at least heard it, and I need to know.

Im aware of that.

Pat Campbell looked over the doctors shoulder, through the narrow glass window in the door, and into the room at the young boy drawing as if nothing extraordinary had happened. How does he seem?

Hes in a complete shutdown, which isnt uncommon. When it comes to anything traumatic sometimes our brain takes time to come to terms with it and until it does, it shuts down. Its a self-preservation thing.

So hell soon come out ofwhatever this is, and be able to tell us what happened?

In theory, yes.

Why only in theory?

Depending on what he saw his brain may not want him to remember.

Bloody hell, Campbell said, leaning back against the wall for support. Whats with the drawings?

Its a way of helping young children come to terms with what theyve witnessed. Whatever they draw is usually an indication of whats going on in their heads. Hopefully it will help to understand what went on in that house, and then we can take our therapy from there.

And whats he drawn so far?

Hes drawn his house with a tree next to it.

Does that tell you anything significant?

Not yet, she half smiled. Its early days. Hes clearly looking at what happened from the outside. If his next drawing is also a house, Ill ask him about the inside and see what he draws when I talk about the rooms in the house.

Pat shook her head. My God, the mind is a powerful thing isnt it? I dont envy your job.

There was nothing the doctor could say to that. There were times she didnt envy her job either. Is there any chance of getting him in some of his own clothes? That sodding tracksuit stinks.

Ill get something brought over from the house.

And how about a glass of milk and some chocolate?

Whatever you want.

Thank you.

She turned and went back into the room. Jonathan had drawn two adults, a child, and was currently on a second child: his family. Dr McCartney bent down next to him and watched him draw in the details: the hair, the clothes, the eyes, the smiles. He then picked up a red felt-tip and with a forceful action that caused the doctor and PC to jump, he scribbled all over the picture. He didnt stop until his mother, father, and brother were completely covered in blood.