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Twenty-Eight

Lacey's head exploded in pain, and she doubled over as her ribs stabbed her in her back a few inches above her right hip. Tears streaming, she whimpered.

"What's wrong, Lace?" Terry's brown eyes fastened on hers, and his arm went around her waist as she sagged toward the floor just outside their English class.

"Hurts. My head, my back. Can't breathe." Lacey whispered.

"What's going on?" Mr. Greyson's snarky demand was the last thing Lacey wanted to hear.

"I'm not sure. She says her head hurts and her back hurts. She's having trouble breathing." Terry had his phone out and he dialed 911.

"Get her down on the floor before she falls." The teacher's curt command had Terry easing her onto her back, but Lacey rolled to her side with a yelp.

"Need to sit up, can't breathe," Lacey complained again.

"911 what is your emergency." Terry had put his phone on speaker before he helped Lacey to lean against the lockers in the hall.

"We need an ambulance at New Hampton High School." Terry took command of the scene.

"We know we have already dispatched one. For a head and back injury, in the lower hall by the back entrance to the stage."

"I'm sorry, but we need another one. I have a seventeen-year-old girl with head and back pain who can't breathe." Terry answered.

Lacey reached into her hoodie pouch when her phone buzzed and checked her messages. She tugged Terry's hand to get his attention and pointed to the text.

"Cancel, Terry. I'm feeling better, the pain is easing and I'm catching my breath, but we need to get down to the office. Zee is hurt."

Lace,

Anya attacked Zee. Bruised head and back where she was kicked. Called 911 waiting for help.

Lacey snatched her phone back from Terry and looked up at Mr. Greyson. "I'm going down to meet them. They can take me with them to the hospital. Zee's hurt and you can't make me stay here." She pushed herself up the wall and took Terry's hand. "Let's get out of here."

"Get back in the classroom." Mr. Greyson walked toward the door shooing students back and away from Lacey. She shot daggers at him with a look that would kill. Typing quickly, she answered her text.

I knew the second it happened. Meet you at the office. I'm going with her. You and Terry follow in Zee's car.

"Come on Terry we're leaving." Lacey turned to push the door to the stairs open. "I have to go with her."

I will get her keys. Here come the paramedics. She passed out, but she is breathing.

I know she's alive. See you in a bit.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Lacey scanned the waiting room as she and Terry got back with drinks and sandwiches for everyone there. She kicked herself and decided to give her coffee to the police officer sitting with them. He wasn't there when they left. Agent Carmangy stood up to give her his seat and joined Percy where he leaned against the wall. The room was stuffy, and she really didn't want to stay, but it would be rude to refuse his kind gesture.

"They're all black. I brought enough creamers and sugars, you should be able to doctor your coffee however you want it," she said as she slid her tray onto the low table in the center of the room.