It was a sunny Monday morning. The sun was out, shining through the clouds. Yet, the town was gloomy after the unexpected news of a missing girl. Josie, one of the most beloved by classmates, vanished out of thin air in her own home on a Friday night. Who would've thought that the most popular girl would disappear without leaving a trace? She was known for her selfless act and outgoing nature. Nonetheless, even bad things happen to good people.
Most of them adored her, but a lot envied her. Could it be a jealous classmate or an obsessed boyfriend? Serena laid on her bed, pondering. She woke up early this morning to help her father with breakfast. Being a single father wasn't always an easy task especially when the elderly people would look down upon divorced couples. And it was especially harder when he worked early in the morning and late at night as a security guard at her school. Still, he was the most considerate man in this town.
She climbed out of bed and got dressed in her school uniform. Yeah, uniform. She didn't like it nor did the rest of the students at Silver Creek High. The colours were boring and depressing, however, the school board members and the parents found it pleasing to their eyes to the point where if any students would've violated this uniform rule, they would get a 3-day suspension. It was harsh, still, they all had no choice but to listen.
She grabbed her backpack and went down the hallway to the kitchen where Serena found her father cooking breakfast on the stove. She groaned at the sight of him.
"Dad, I was supposed to do it. You should've stayed in bed," she said, standing next to him, watching him flip over the bacon.
"I can't let my daughter burn the house." He chuckled.
"Haha, very funny." she groaned before making her way to the small round table near the living room.
Serena and her father lived in a small bungalow near a lake. She preferred the big house she used to live in when her parents were still together, however, she didn't seem to dislike this one. It was cute, with flowers growing in the front lawn and a tall tree covering the sun, it felt homey.
Sitting down on a chair, she grabs her phone and starts checking her messages. One was from Nick and the other was an unknown number. Nick was Serena's best friend and even though he was a guy, they seem to not have any other type of relationship. Well, that was what her father hoped. Her father was the overprotective type and he appeared to disapprove of their friendship, shown in every occasion where Nick would come over. Regardless of that, he didn't interfere with them. Perhaps afraid of disappointing his daughter, so he kept his mouth shut.
"Who are you texting?" her father asked.
"Nick." she could feel his eyes bore into her after she said his name. "I know what you're thinking, we are just friends."
"I didn't say anything." he looked away from her.
She chuckled before returning her attention to her phone.
Nick: U hear the news?
Serena: Yep, all over social media
Nick: Crazy. Who would do that?
Serena: Wondering the same. 🤨
Nick: Half a day today. Cops are having a search party and the teachers are joining...
Serena: We allowed to go?
Nick: Nope. I wish tho. 🤷♀️
Serena: Man I feel bad for Josie's parents. Must be scared to death
Nick: Yeah me too. My parents are scared to let me go to school. 😕 good thing your dad is a security guard.
Serena: Speaking of him, I gotta go. 👋
Nick: Aight see you at school ✌️
Serena puts her phone back in her pocket, ignoring the unknown number that has decided to text her, and she made her way to the kitchen to help her father set the table.
"I can do this, sweetheart," he said.
"Dad..." she glared at him.
"Fine."
///
The ride to school was quick and easy even with traffic piling up so early in the morning. Serena's father's car was small for a security guard. With a small trunk, it was difficult to put big appliances in there. Regardless, it was fast and they didn't need to waste a lot of money on gas.
He dropped her off in the front of the school where Nick was sitting on a bench next to the entrance, waiting for Serena to arrive. He was wearing a black shirt and denim jeans with Adidas shoes. His brown hair was messy like he just woke up and he looked bored like he hadn't slept in days.
Serena made her way towards him after closing the door of her car. When she finally arrived, he looked up and smiled at her.
"Hey." he greeted her, getting up from the bench while holding his backpack strap.
"Hello. You look tired," she said with a worried expression.
"Couldn't fall asleep. My legs were sore after the practice."
Nick was a football player. He practiced day and night with his teammates on the football field. They were practicing a lot for this year's championship game against a bigger school, and it came with late-night training. Serena was mostly opposed to this idea and would constantly push Nick to take a night off, however, Nick didn't seem to care.
"Nick-"
"Don't try. I'm not going to take a night off. I need to show my coach and my dad that I am capable of being the best. I want to be better than my brother." he sighed.
"I get that, but you'll end up hurting yourself more."
"Well, if that will make him happy then I won't stop."
She looked at him uneasily. As much as she begged him into taking a break, he didn't seem to listen to her advice.
She sighed at his choice but decided to move on.
"Let's go in before the bell rings," Nick said. Serena nodded and they both made their way into the school with the rest of the crowd.
When they entered school, they saw a crowd of students gathered in front of what looks a poster board near the locker rooms. Whispers grew louder as the students looked at each other in fear. Serena and Nick made their way into the crowd with curiosity, nudging students on their way to the front.
It was horrific. Big red words were plastered on a white poster, saying;
"Knock, knock. Who's there? Josie. Josie who? Josie will be cut in two."