I wiped my eyes as I climbed the bleachers. I didn't get why the council wouldn't just do something. Does my dad's death really mean nothing? I guess if I thought about it without all the grief and anger attached I did understand. They were scared.
They feared the killer would go on a killing spree if they tried to do anything. Still it's better to do something than nothing at all.
"Why can't you call the FBI or some other agency?" I asked the air.
"I'm sure if you put the words psycho serial killer into the conversation they would have to listen." I sighed and sat down.
I stared off into space and went over everything that had happened so far. Piece by piece I put it everything together trying to make a final picture in my head. I want to think of ways to catch the killer, but I can't. All I can do is replay everything over and over. It was like my life was being turned into a living hell.
The next thing I knew the bell was ringing signaling the end of the school day. I got up, grabbed my bag and headed down the bleachers. I took out my phone and texted Jace telling him I'd meet him at the car. I walked under the arch that connected the field with the rest of the school. I put my phone back in my bag and picked up the pace.
The air seems too still and I feel like someone is watching me.
"You're just nervous." I thought to myself. "You're thinking of what happened to your dad..."
I rounded the corner and slammed into someone dropping my bag in the process. I bent to pick up all my stuff that had spilled out of my bag. I finished shoving the last of my books into my bag and stood up. I brushed the gravel off my hands wincing as little pieces pierced my skin.
"Sorry I wasn't watching where I was..." I stopped mid sentence as I looked up and realized nobody was there.
I took a deep breath trying to calm my nerves. My heart pounded in my chest and my palms started sweating. Now I knew something was wrong. I try not to freak out as I resume walking. Walking faster and faster till I'm jogging to the parking lot.
My mind starts to race as I try to convince myself that there was no way the man who killed my father would show up at school. That small hope slowly withered and died as I hear the pounding of feet behind me. I break into an all out run now fully panicking. I try to keep my wits about me, but it's almost impossible as terror courses through me.
"One more bend, one more. common Annie." I chant in my head.
As I round the corner before the gate that leads to the parking lot I slow down. I'm breathing heavily and I'm sweating. I wipe sweat from my forehead and try to compose myself. Suddenly someone grabs my arm from behind me and jerks me around.
"Boo!"
A man who I assume is the killer says grinning in my face. I whimper and start to struggle. A scream is building inside me.
Just as I open my mouth to scream something is jabbed into my neck. I stiffen in shock and watch as the world spins and eventually goes black.
I scanned the last throng of students that were heading home. I looked down and reread the text Annie had sent me. It said clear as day that she would meet me at the car. I heaved a sigh and put the phone away.
"Waiting for someone?" Someone asked.
I turned to face a girl from my science class.
I nodded. "Yeah I'm waiting for my girlfriend." I said.
The girl looked disappointed. "Oh, well I guess I'll see you tomorrow then." She said.
I nodded not quite comprehending. I was getting worried about Annie. I waited another five minutes. I looked at my phone again and scanned through my texts. Rereading what Annie had sent my I pushed the call button and put my phone up to my ear.
I waited shifting from one foot to the other as the line rang.
"Hey it's Annie leave me a message."
My stomach twisted as I got Annie's voicemail. My arm fell to my side and I clenched my phone. Something was definitely wrong. I lifted my phone and scrolled through my contacts till I found Alice's number. The other line rang for about two seconds before she picked up.
"What's up?" She asked.
I took a deep breath and filled Alice in on what was happening.
"I think Annie's been kidnapped." I said.
There was a really big pause before Alice finally answered. "You're kidding right Jace? Where are you?"
I ran a hand over my face. "I'm still at school."
There was another big pause. "I think you might be overreacting. The school is a public place. It's not easy to kidnap someone from there." I frowned at Alice's response.
Shrugging off the bad feeling that was starting to creep up on me from the conversation I tried again.
"You don't know exactly what's been happening since Annie moved here. There are things you don't know."
Alice laughed. "I am aware of that Jace. You know we used to be so close. I wonder what happened?"
My stomach dropped. For some reason I felt Alice mean who not what. Which was absolutely ridiculous. Alice and I have known eachother since we were kids.
"I would love to fill you in Alice but frankly I don't think there's time. Plus I doubt you would believe me."
The laugh Alice gave set my teeth on edge. "Oh, I'm not sure about that Jace. We haven't talked in so long who knows what information I might or might not have."
Warning bells went off in my head. Actually they were more like natural disaster sirens.
"What information do you have?" I asked slowly.
My heart was pounding and I felt nauseous.
"I think we can both agree that's not what's important right now." Alice replied.
I almost didn't recognize her voice. "So what are you going to do now Jace?" She asked.
I almost threw up then and there. Everything in me screamed to not tell her anything. That there was something seriously wrong with her.
"I'll have to get back to you on that." I finally said.
"Okay, well let me know if you need anything. I'd love to help."
The line went dead and I was left reeling as that last bit sounded like the Alice I'd always known.