The Strange Disappearance of Bree Clark

12: The Truth

Present Day...

My head was down as I sat on the school's steps, staring down at the note I found last night. My eyes kept reading the words over and over again: "Stop looking for Bree Clark or else." They were practically burnt into my brain by now.

"What are you reading there, Jade?"

Principal Edwards' voice pulled my back into reality and I quickly crumpled the note in my hand. I glanced up at him then back down to my lap, "Umm... My work schedule."

"Well, the bell rang a while ago."

Oh shit... I can't be late again!

Scrambling to my feet, I gathered my things and took off towards the doors, "Bye Principal Edwards!"

"See you in detention, Jade."

I sighed and ran to my class, trying to quickly slip into my seat. Mr. H allowed me to go unnoticed but everyone else in the room was focused on me. I slumped down in my seat but when I looked over at the desk next to me I noticed someone new was staring back at me: Quinn Mathews.

Her eyes stared at me and she whispered, "Why were you late?"

I crossed my arms over my chest and focused towards the lecture. I whispered back to her, "Why are you here?"

"I switched my schedule around. The school thought I was smart enough for higher classes. Now, are you going to answer my question?"

I scuffed, "Why do you even care?"

I said that last part a little too loudly. Mr. H stopped speaking at the front of the class, "Ms. Willow and Ms. Mathews, is there something you would like to add to the lecture?"

Quinn shook her head, "No sir. May I go to the bathroom though?"

Mr. H just sighed, "Go ahead. Just don't interrupt anymore."

Quinn grabbed her backpack and packed up her stuff. I narrowed my eyes, "Where are you going?"

"Ditching. You aren't going to talk to me and this is boring. See you later."

Quinn walked out of the room like it was nothing and Mr. H didn't even bat an eye at the fact she was taking all her stuff with her to the "bathroom". I shrugged it off then laid my head on the desk, scribbling random things in my notebook.

Typical Quinn. Doesn't care about anyone or anything but herself.

On my way to lunch detention, Stew caught up with me in the hall, "Where are you off too?"

"Detention."

"You ditched again!"

"No, I was late. Stuff has been going on and I got distracted."

He looked down at his feet while he walked, "The note you found last night..."

"Yeah... are you sure you didn't get one?"

He hesitated but shook his head, "No. Not that I know of. Any ideas who sent it?"

I shrugged, "No clue but I am pretty sure I have seen the handwriting before. I just don't know where."

"Um... maybe I can take the note from you? I am in yearbook and people hand write quotes for us all the time."

I nodded, "That sounds good."

I put my hands in my pockets but didn't find the note there. I ripped opened my backpack and dug through but still no note, "Shit. No, no, no... I can't find it."

Stew's eyes grew as wide as saucers and he panicked, "Jade! What do you mean?! If that gets shown to the wrong person we are screwed!"

Nice work, Jade. You lost the one clue you had to finding Bree.