Piped Piper

Chapter 1: The boy she met in the woods.

A middle-aged woman sighed once again; the third time today she did. It was all because of the paper, the headline was the same as it was last week. Another victim of the piped piper, this time it was a girl. A young girl around her daughter's age. Thirteen or fourteen was the girl's age and her name? Emily Hans, nothing stood out about the girl but neither did the other children that were taken.

In total there were 77 cases from the piped piper and only 27 returned. All of the ones that have returned were girls. So, they have 49 boys and a girl lost. No leads and parents are getting worried about their children. All of the cases happened in London, so many people are moving in hopes their children would be safe. However, some just couldn't afford it.

Like herself, she only has one child a girl. So, her worries were soothed by just keeping her inside. The mother's eyes widen as she realized how late it was getting in the morning. " Savannah, dear, it's time to go to school. " Savannah was her daughter, her only child.

Savannah walked down the stairs with a plain backpack in hand. The mother smiled at her daughter then frowned. Her daughter's light brown hair was unkempt and eyebags were under her blue eyes. " Dear, please do go brush your hair. " Savannah placed her bag down and went back up.

Not even a sound of complaint left her rosy lips as she walked back into her bathroom. The mother looked at the bag and sighed. Her daughter never agreed with being kept in sight. She hated having her area monitored at all times. Not even at school, she could go outside.

Everyone was terrified of the piped piper, what they do to children. Since only girls returned they had a tiny bit more slack than boys. They were able to go to the bathroom by themselves instead of in groups. However, that was the only freedom they had. Even that was limited most of the time.

Savannah reappeared with combed hir and grabbed her bag. The mother stood up and grabbed her coat. " Come, your studies start in a few minutes. " By a few, she meant fifteen. Savannah followed her silently through the street with other parents around them. That's how they kept the parents and children safe by going all at once. At least, that was the idea at least.

Savannah arrived at the gate and waved at her mother without looking. She didn't think it would be long before seeing her again. After all, nothing can happen to her at school...Right?

As she entered the school she couldn't help a feeling. A feeling something bad was going to happen, to her. Savannah was quick to head to her class as she didn't like the rules but she knew why they were placed. To keep herself and others safe from harm. So, might as well follow them. No harm can be done that way.

Savannah settled herself in her desk as she placed her bag beside her. She got out her notebook and a pen. She then began to draw without knowing what she was drawing. It started with a small circle, the circle was quick to become an eye. She copied the eye to the other side and drew a nose. Everything was slowly forming into a young boy. A boy around her age, with slightly curly hair. A mischievous grin was soon placed on the realistic drawing. The more Savannah looked at the drawing the more familiar it got. But, she could quite place her finger on it.

The teacher walked in and was quick to do roll call. She called all of the names until it was Savannah's. " Raven, Savannah? " Savannah was the last one to be called and said a small present. The teacher seemed to sigh in relief as she looked at her roster. " Everyone is here, now today we have an opportunity to go outside. " Everyone seemed to perk up at the mention of going out. It seemed like it was forever ago since we were allowed out.

The teacher tapped the blackboard with her ruler. Everyone went quiet at the sound, it was known not to make the teachers mad. The teacher smiled sweetly at everyone. "Now, it would only be for ten minutes tops We just need to see and write down the weather. It's for our new section of the class. " Everyone got the subtle hint she was asking and brought out their notebooks.