Pathways

Chapter 5

Wham. My fingers almost get caught in my locker as I frustratingly slam it shut. I angrily pick up the bright yellow letter on the ground. I'm about to open it and read it to find any clues about my stalker when a voice rings over the loudspeaker. The noisy hallways suddenly fill into a hush as the principal speaks.

"Attention students, As some of you may know Mya Anderson was hit by a train yesterday and died. We will be holding a memorial after school and your prayers and support for the friends and family of Mya Anderson are appreciated. This goes to say that doing these hard times we all need to stick together as a school and be there for each other." the speaker blares.

I drop the letter I'm holding in shock. Mya Anderson committed suicide. Mya. The girl who bumped into me. A student killed themself, I start shaking when I hear someone's voice.

"Anna, you alright? You look like you've seen a ghost." Axel rushes over.

I just shake my head not being able to speak.

"Axel I-" I look up at him and freeze he's wearing a plain bright yellow hat. The same sickening shade of yellow as the letters. Shivering I look around because I have the feeling someone is watching me. Who. Who is it? They have to be here. The stalker. There's no way they're not here. They're watching me right now. I know it. I frantically look around scratching my head aggressively. There are too many students walking in every which way that I can't focus on one specific person. Axel grabs my shoulder.

" Hey, Anna-"

"I'm fine," I snap," just a little shaken up from that announcement."

"Yeah, blood is in the air. " He whispers.

I slowly turn to him my eyes the size of Ferris wheels, "W-what d-did you just say?"

"Blood is in the air? Why?" he repeats shrugging. I narrow my eyes. The letter.

"Nothing I got to get to class." I rush away from him feeling my guys trying to eat themselves.

Axel huh? Suspect number one. Luickly Axel is in my first period so I tap him on the shoulder. If I can steal a paper of his and analyze the handwriting I can see if he's behind the letters.

"What's up?" He turns around.

" I forgot a notebook could I use yours to copy your notes on this sheet of paper?" I ask innocently.

" Nah, nice try but I'm not letting you mooch off me for answers," He huffs as he turns around.

As the teacher drones on about equations I slowly lean over my desk to try to get a look at Axel's paper. He sees what I'm doing and uses his elbow to cover his work. When class ends I head follow Axel to his locker.

"Oops," I say as I pretend to bump into him.

He drops his books and other materials and I quickly scramble to pick them up. That's when I see it. Piles of sickeningly bright yellow cardstock paper spread out on the floor. I stare at them in horror as Atlas quickly scrambles to pick up the papers.

"Art project." He laughs awkwardly which only scares me more.

I slowly nod thinking about the material of my letters. This is the same material. I know it. I need to know if Axel is behind this. Some things aren't adding up but I'm desperate to pin these letters on someone. I pick up the paper and hand it back to Axel apologizing. I try to pick up the rest of the materials but William stops me and starts handing Axel his stuff. The bell rings and Axel quickly darts off for his next class. I stand there next to William in silence. After what feels like forever William finally speaks.

" I have to go to class." He comments.

"You have P. E right? We're in the same class." I reply.

William nods and heads over to get his gym bag. As I walk back to my locker to get mine I get the feeling someone's watching me again. My heartbeat starts up really fast. Calm down. No one's watching you. Just get your bag. I grab my bag from my locker and turn around to see Axel's brown eyes through the glass of a classroom. He was watching me. I jump and run as fast as I can down the hallway toward the gym. I run past William who's also heading toward the gym. He runs after me.

" Why are you running?" He asks.

"I- I" I try to blurt but there's a lump in my throat and I can't speak.

"He was- He was watching me." I pant.

"Slow down, who was watching you." William scratches his head.

I slow down my pace and start walking. Hearing his calm voice snaps me out of my panic and I swallow.

"My stalker. The one I told you about. With the letters." I state.

"You found out who he is?" William gasps.

I shake my head, " No. But I have a pretty good guess."

William shakes his head, " Don't assume."

"I'm not," I bark, " I have evidence. Axel's the one."

William looks at me for a minute, his shoulders start shaking and I realize he's laughing. He's laughing at me. I frown and stop walking. I open my mouth to tell him this isn't a joke but I get the feeling someone's watching me again and it's not William. Someone else. I frantically look around. Up, down, left, right, behind me, in front of me. William raises an eyebrow.

"What are you doing?" He asks.

"Someone's watching me, William. Please help me." I quaver.

I feel tears about to sting my eyes but I hold them back. Fear grips onto my chest sucking the life out of me.

"You're being paranoid. Besides you have Jake to protect you from any stalkers." William sneers.

"You're a jerk." I hiss.

"Sorry, that was rude, I'll help you figure this out.Promise." William looks at me sympathetically and his warm green eyes give me hope. The second bell rings and that's when we both realize we're late for gym.