Bad News

Part 17

Chapter Twenty-Three

Lincoln walked around school the next day in a daze.  He hadn't seen sight of Abbie all day and part of him felt that trying to talk to her again was futile.  If she didn't want to talk to him, he should respect her wishes. He didn't want to be that guy that tried to force a girl to listen to him.

He considered bunking his last lesson and getting high somewhere.  He didn't know the school dealer but there was bound to be one.  Towards the end of lunch he felt his phone vibrate.  His heart jumped when he saw he had a text from Abbie.

"Hey Linc, meet me in the Drama Studio after your detention.  I'm ready to listen.  Abbie x"

He smiled to himself.  He'd finally managed to get her to listen.  He thought he had blown it yesterday with his scuffle with Theo – obviously not!  Now he would have to hold onto his hope until the end of the day.

As soon as the teacher taking detention had said it was time, Lincoln had bolted out of his seat.  He couldn't help running down the deserted corridors like a little boy.  He ran into the Gents and fiddled with his hair quickly. He chewed on some chewing gum and put it in the bin.  He took a breath. He knew what he wanted to say and hoped he would be able to get it all out and that she would forgive him. He took one last look in the mirror and jogged down to the Drama studio. 

Drama studio was a bit of a reach.  Separate from the main school, it was a large temporary classroom with a wall of mirrors, some soft mats piled in the corner and some lighting equipment.  As he came to the door he peered inside.  She wasn't there yet but he stepped inside out of the cold.  He walked over to the opposite side of the room and flicked the light switch on.  He heard movement behind him and turned with a smile: "Abbie"

In front of him were five people wearing black balaclavas.  Something in his stomach turned.  They walked slowly towards him.

"Where is Abbie?" he asked, though he knew it was futile. 

"Grab him" said one of them.

Two of the guys grabbed his arms and pinned him back before he had the chance to struggle.

"Aah" he cried as his arms were bent back.

The other three lined up in front of him.

"What do you want?" he questioned.

"You are not going to bother Abbie any more" said the main guy.

"What's it to you?" spat Lincoln.

"Everything" said another one.

"Well you can shove it because no one tells me what to do  - Nathan"

The second bloke took off his balaclava.  "Good guess Taylor.  Not that it matters as nobody is going to believe you."