The Stake of Us

Ch 2: The Girl who Sits Alone

"Alright, Kids! Let's clean up. It's almost time for recess!" Mrs. Kelly announces from the front of the classroom.

The classroom buzzed with energy; kids scatter everywhere putting their things away. Some still fighting over their toys "Hey you two! No fighting or you both will be in time out!" Mrs. Kelly warns the two kids sternly.

"Ryan! Put that glue down, do not eat it!" Mrs. Kelly quickly gets off her chair and moves toward the kid named Ryan.

She yanks it from his hand before he can eat it, and he cries at her sudden lunge for the glue.

Two other kids start to follow suit and bawl their eyes out for no apparent reason other than their classmates simply crying.

The other kids run around the classroom still not finished with putting their toys away.

Mrs. Kelly rubs her temple "Kids!! Clean up or no recess!" She yells loudly hitting her final straw, her voice echoes down the hall, and all the kids finally quiet down.

Then just as quickly they begin putting all their toys away quietly.

Mrs. Kelly continues rubbing her temple as she makes her way back to her desk. She leans back and closes her eyes momentarily before reopening them. Her eyes land on a small figure sitting quietly in the corner of the room drawing in her sketchbook. She hasn't said a word amidst the chaos of her classmates. The lone figure sits quietly in the back and keeps to herself.

Mrs. Kelly let out a deep sigh as she watches her. She slowly gets up from her seat and makes her way closer.

She squats down when she reaches the table "Hey Suzy, you ready for recess?" Mrs. Kelly asks in a soft tone.

Pale blue eyes look up at Mrs. Kelly, Suzy nods slightly before looking back down at her drawing.

She hasn't talked to anyone since her parent's incident. Everyone in town talked about it, it was a tragedy that no one saw coming. Suzy Paige was once a lively kid; she was bright and sharp. Witnessing the changes in her breaks Mrs. Kelly's heart.

Roselake Town is small with a population of five thousand residents, located in the middle of nature filled land with beautiful mountains and deep wood areas.

Nothing like this had ever happened in this peaceful town, no one knows what to think or what to do.

The sheriff's office had been insanely busy with reporters and people in town demanding answers, but no one knows. Nothing had been revealed from the sheriff, Ben Gillian is the head of the department. The only statement he had released was two months ago. He had announced how everyone needs to take precautions and do not go into the wood, especially alone.

The only one who know what happened that day was Suzy Paige, the lone survivor. The sheriff had tried to question her but was unsuccessful, according to rumors.

The bell rings for recess.

Mrs. Kelly gets up slowly "Alight kids! Single file line at the door."

Mrs. Kelly walks toward the entrance of the classroom door before pushing it open. " Walk, no running. In single file line toward the exit."

All kids begin walking out joining a few other classes out in the hallway.

Warm sunlight on their skin as they all step outside.

Kids begin to scream as they run around, some continue their tag game, some play on the jungle gym, and some on the swings.

Suzy walks toward the little gardening area, little vegetable patches start to grow. This little garden was started last year, the school started this program to teach kids how to grow plants and the importance of taking care of them.