𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗘 ˚˖ • ᴛʜᴇ ᴍᴀᴢᴇ ʀᴜɴɴᴇʀ

𝟶𝟸- ʙɪᴄᴇᴘs

Kaitlyn was waiting for Jonah on their old couch. Usually, she came home after him, but today she arrived to an empty house, echoing her name every time she took a step. Her father left a note on the counter explaining his absence, but there was no sign of life from Jonah.

She pulled out her phone, only for it to automatically show her texts with her little brother. She took a deep breath before typing out her message.

THE JONA(H)S BROTHERS

october 11th 2024

tell dad to get pizza pops

october 13th 2024

At home, do you want
dinner when you get back?
delivered at 5:37

Jonah, where are you
delivered at 5:49

This isn't funny Jonah.
delivered at 6:12

I'm coming to find you.
delivered now

Quickly, she slid on her shoes and grabbed her bag. She ran out and was on the road when she ran back to her house, and closed the front door. She huffed, already winded, but took off up the road again. By the time she had reached his school, her hair and face were damp with sweat. Kaitlyn barged in through the main doors, quietly passing by a security guard. She ducked her head and had almost made it past the administration office when a voice called out to her.

“ Young lady, I’m going to need to see your school identification card.” A woman said, frowning at Kat from behind her desk. She was stiff, her brown hair pulled into a tight bun at the top of her head. Her uniform was prim and proper, although it made her look like a cardboard cutout or a paper doll.

Kaitlyn grabbed her ID from her pocket, then handed it over to the paper doll lady. With barely a glance at the card in her hand, Paper Doll Lady placed it back onto her desk, a look of disdain or her face as she glanced at the card in disgust.

“ Young lady, this is a Grantsburg High School piece of identification. I’m afraid I’ll have to remove you from the premises if you do not leave now. ”

In a panic, Kat blurted out the first thing she could think of ; “ WAIT! If you throw me out, I’ll sue you.”

The Paper Doll lady’s face shifted ever so slightly from the mask it had been using. Her facial features were now dotted with annoyance or curiosity. Kat just hoped it was the latter.

“ And what pray tell, would you sue us for?” she asked, typing something into her computer.

“ Attempted kidnapping?” Kaitlyn suggested hopefully, trying to smooth over the situation.

Before the lady could respond, a man appeared from a door Kat didn't even know was there. He wore a turtleneck and had a surprisingly pointy face, kinda like a squirrel.

“ Jane, what is the meaning of all this ruckus? I’m in the middle of a very important meeting with the Chancellor, and I can barely hear my own thoughts.”

With a sigh, he looked over to where Kat was standing, her hands plastered behind her back.

“ Ah. Miss McGillick. Never mind, Jane. Tell the chancellor I’ll be back quickly. Something more… relevant seems to have been brought to my attention. ” The man said, a slight smirk on his face. He grabs her arm, leading her down a long hallway, where posters with threatening mottos seem to be posted up all over the walls.