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The Reckoning

Faye is banging on the small window that hangs above the door knob and I am beginning to have a full on breakdown. I can barely see the classroom around me as my mind whips into a dizzy haze of unease, but I have to spring into action quickly. My hands are shaking as I retrieve my phone from my pocket and text my brother.

(8:09 AM) Me: elio do not go to morning announcements

(8:10 AM) Me: elio???!!

(8:11 AM) Me: el pls answer

(8:11 AM) Me: ?????

"He isn't responding," I say, frantically, and Faye turns away from the door.

"I'm sure he's okay. Try texting Maeve."

He's not okay, I think as I shake my head helplessly. You couldn't possibly understand. Gulping down my lingering anxiety, I turn to Maeve's contact.

(8:11 AM) Me: maeve r u at assembly rn??

She texts back immediately and I take a breath of relief.

(8:11 AM)  maevey: yesss where r u?

(8:12 AM) Me: find elio and take him out of the auditorium. i'll explain later

There is a pause before the next message comes.

(8:12 AM) maevey: omg check the blog

"What blog," asks Faye, who is now beside me and reading over my shoulder.

"Shit," I say as I pull out my laptop. I type "Summerfield Scandals" into the search bar, not even taking the time to roll my eyes at the title before it comes up. The first thing I see is a new post.

Hello, Summerfield students!
As most of you know, Marcos Smith has recently been expelled due to aggressive and repetitive bullying. What you may not know is that his expulsion is the fault of 10th grader Elio Davidson.

I pause as the worst possible case scenario spins through my head. Elio is about to be publicly humiliated on stage for everyone to see. He will be beaten and chastised and there is absolutely nothing I can do about it. I am locked in room 304 with no means of escape. My favorite person will shatter again.

Elio was one of many people who fell victim to Marcos's attacks. He was targeted and preyed on because of his naivety and now, Marcos Smith will pay. If you would like to see him suffer, meet out by the west exit during morning announcements.

My mouth stretches into a frown as I read. What the fuck does any of this mean? How is Marcos supposed to suffer? Why now? Faye seemed to be asking the same internal questions as she reads along beside me.

Remember, Summerfield High: Malice eventually decimates.

I am suddenly aware, as I read over the post once more, that whatever reckoning scheduled to take place in less than five minutes will be occurring at the other end of school. Not only that, but Maeve is currently following my orders to take Elio out of the auditorium.

"Shit," I tug my phone from my pocket and quickly text Maeve.

(8:13 AM) Me: maeve nvm PLS keep elio in the auditorium

(8:13 AM) Me: do not leave the school

But, she isn't replying. I shut my laptop quickly and move towards the windows, peering out to see an empty parking lot. "Okay," I say with shaky breath. "I think our only option is escaping out the window."

Faye blinks back at me. "You cannot be serious."

"Faye, my brother is for some reason being aimed at and I have no idea where he is." She doesn't respond. "You can stay in here, but I don't have another choice."