It Lurks In The Dark

2.

Flashback

Summer is almost over. Gracie thought, gazing up at the clear blue sky. A flock of birds flew together in a 'V' formation in the distance, chirping away happily. Warm sun from the sunny sky beat down on the school's field below. The breeze had not risen yet, and the green foliage did not rustle. There was peace all around. 

Until the bell rang after the last period of the day, breaking Gracie out of her thoughts. She turned away from the window as soon as she saw her friends, Sarah and Chris, approach her.

Sounds of pages flipping and bags zipping filled the room as everyone was eager to leave. Students scurried out of the classroom, talking noisily to one another as their class teacher left them for the day.

Gracie shoved her math textbook into her bag, and zipped it closed. 

"You're going to come and hang out with us, right? After school?", Chris asked Gracie, helping Sarah fix the strap of her bag.

"No Chris, don't you remember Gracie was called by Professor Hamilton today? After school hours", Sarah said sadly, "I wish you could join us for popcorn and movie at Chris's place".

"I wish too", Gracie frowned, sad that she had to miss out on the fun.

"Don't worry, we will leave some for you, that is, if Sarah doesn't decide to eat the whole thing!", Chris laughed out, earning a smack on his arm by Sarah who glared at him.

Gracie chuckled at the sight of her friends.

"Anyways, i hope it's not something too serious", Sarah said in a concerned tone. 

"i hope so too", Gracie said looking back at her friends in the same amount of worry.

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"Bye Gracie! See you tomorrow!", Gracie waved back at her friends as she parted ways from them.

What does Professor Hamilton need me for? Gracie thought to herself as she ascended a flight of stairs.

Upon reaching the landing, an empty hallway stretched out before her. Vacant classrooms were present on either side. No voices were audible as it was after school hours and mostly everyone goes back home, except for the occasional teachers or club in-charges who pass by the classrooms to make sure everyone has left or not.

Go to room no.39 after your math class. I need to talk to regarding something important.

Professor Hamilton's words were clear in Gracie's mind as she recalled where her teacher had instructed her to go.

The lack of voices and the deserted classrooms made Gracie feel anxious as she walked down the hallway.

Finally she saw the room at the end of the hallway which had 'Room 39' on top of the door. Below the letters was what actually caught her attention: Ashton High Newspaper committee.

Newspaper Committee? Gracie thought, eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

No signs of life were heard from the other side as Gracie pressed her ear to the door.

Suddenly the noise of her teacher's voice was heard on the other side of the door, saying something to someone else in the room, Gracie guessed, but it was too muffled to actually understand what was actually being said.

Yup, that's her. Gracie thought.

Gracie double checked that it was the right room number. Taking a deep breath to compose herself, before knocking on the door and making her presence be known.

It went quiet on the other side when not Professor Hamilton, Gracie noted, said in a hushed tone," Sush! She's here!".

Gracie pulled the door open and was surprised to see that along with her professor, were three other students.

Gracie realized that she recognized them. Sure, they weren't in her class, but she knew them from their faces, as she had seen them before. 

The strawberry-blonde haired girl played for Ashton High's numerous sports day events. Even won many competitions, earning herself many awards from the school. The black-haired boy with the glasses got top scores in majority of subjects and was given a high rank in academics. While the other blonde-haired girl in the room was seen by Gracie at recess one day. 

Gracie remembered vividly that she was trying to capture a picture of a butterfly with her DSLR camera. A photo of a brightly coloured butterfly sitting on a hibiscus flower. The wings of the insect were what initially perked up Gracie's interest. She was trying to get a close up shot of the insect sucking nectar from the flower. She was hidden away in the school garden.

Gracie had tried to remain still to capture the picture right but then, all of a sudden, someone tapped her on her shoulder, causing her to get startled. The butterfly must have felt the sudden movement in the air, causing it to fly away. Gracie had turned around to see who it was who had ruined her perfect shot, when she came to the conclusion that it was in fact, the same blonde-haired girl.

"I would like y'all to meet the newest member of the newspaper committee: Gracie Anderson!", Professor Hamilton exclaimed joyously, making the other three students stare at Gracie in bewilderment.

Gracie smiled shyly at the other students, watching as the blonde-haired girl approach her.

She extended her hand out for Gracie to shake before saying, "You have probably already seen me before. I am Sabrina."

Sabrina turned around at the other two," And those two are Augustus and Kendall."