Blocked

Chapter Nine

Principal Reynolds stood at the front of the auditorium, his face drawn tight with worry. His voice was steady, but the weight of what he was about to say was clear.

"Last night, Hannah's parents went to check on her," he began, glancing at Mr. Forst, whose expression had only grown more strained. "But she wasn't there. They searched the house-every room, every corner. No sign of her."

The tension in the room thickened. I glanced over at Sebastian, who was still standing next to me, arms crossed, but his eyes were focused on the principal.

Reynolds continued. " They thought maybe she'd gone out late or was hiding somewhere, but there were no traces of her. They checked the CCTV footage from the house-nothing. No movement, no sign of her leaving or anyone coming in. The garden, which surrounds the property, didn't have a single footprint out of place. It's as if she vanished."

My heart thudded in my chest. Gone? Just like that?

"The police have been involved since early this morning," Principal Reynolds added, his eyes sweeping across the room, lingering on me for a second. "But they haven't found anything. So, we're asking all of you, if you know anything or saw anything unusual, please come forward."

A low murmur spread through the crowd as everyone exchanged glances. Hannah... missing? I didn't know what to feel. Part of me felt sick thinking about it, but another part... wasn't sure.

"We'll be sending everyone home early today," Reynolds announced. "Go home, stay safe, and if you hear or see anything, report it immediately."

As the students began to shuffle out, Principal Reynolds' words echoed in my head. Gone without a trace. No footprints, no evidence. Just... gone.

Sebastian didn't move. He stayed next to me, his expression unreadable, like he was still processing everything. I didn't know what to say, and I wasn't sure if I even wanted to talk.

"You okay?" he asked quietly, his voice barely above a whisper.

I nodded, but I didn't mean it. How could anyone be okay right now?

As the crowd dispersed from the auditorium, Sebastian turned to me. "Do you want me to walk you home?" His voice was soft, gentle, like he actually cared. But I couldn't. Not after everything.

I shook my head, barely meeting his gaze. "No, I'm fine."

I didn't wait for him to argue. I turned and walked off, wanting to escape the awkwardness, the confusion, the fear that was starting to gnaw at me. As much as Sebastian seemed nice, I didn't trust anyone, especially not a boy. Not after what happened. Not after what they did.

My feet carried me down the familiar path toward home, the overcast sky making everything feel heavier. I kept my head down, trying to focus on each step, trying to block out the world. But I should've known better. I should've known the world wasn't going to let me just walk away.

I didn't even notice them until it was too late. Chad and his friends-three of them-stepped out of nowhere, blocking my way. We were in an alley, just a shortcut to get home faster, but now I was trapped.

"Look what we have here," Chad sneered, a grin spreading across his face as his friends circled me like predators. "Thought you could just walk away, huh?"

I backed up, but they closed in, pushing me against the wall. Panic surged through me as Chad leaned in close, his hot breath on my face. "Tell me," he hissed, "what did you do to Hannah? Where is she?"

"I don't know!" I protested, trying to push him off, but one of his friends grabbed my wrists, pinning me down.

Chad's grin widened. "You want to feel like that night again?" His voice was low, menacing. "Or maybe this time, you'll enjoy it."

I thrashed under their grip, my heart pounding in my chest. "Stop! Let me go!" But they didn't listen, their laughter ringing in my ears.

"You tell us where Hannah is, or we'll make you feel even worse than before," one of them threatened, their hands rough and violating.

I couldn't breathe. The memories of that night came flooding back, mixing with the horror of what was happening now. The walls of the alley felt like they were closing in on me.

But somehow, I found the strength. Maybe it was adrenaline or sheer terror, but I jerked my arm free, pushing Chad as hard as I could. It wasn't much, but it was enough to break their hold. Without thinking, I ran.

I ran harder than I'd ever run before, tears blurring my vision. I felt filthy, like I needed to scrub my skin raw just to rid myself of their touch. My legs burned, but I didn't stop until I reached the main road.

Then, out of nowhere, I crashed into someone. The force sent me stumbling back, and I looked up, blinking through my tears.

It was Sebastian.

"Mia?" His voice was filled with concern, his eyes wide as he took in my state. "What happened?"

I couldn't speak. The words wouldn't come. All the terror, the pain, the disgust-it overwhelmed me. My body trembled, and I tried to hold it together, but I couldn't. I burst into tears, sobbing uncontrollably.

"I can't... I can't... they..." I choked out between sobs, but I couldn't finish. The trauma gripped me like a vise, tightening until I felt like I would suffocate.

Sebastian didn't ask any more questions. He gently guided me toward the sidewalk, his arm around my shoulder. But the world was spinning. The fear, the exhaustion-it was all too much.

And then, everything went black.

I woke up to the sterile scent of antiseptic and the hum of hospital machinery. My eyes fluttered open, disoriented, until I saw the familiar, worried faces of Mr. and Mrs. Black beside me.

"Mia," Mrs. Black said softly, stroking my hair. "You're okay. You're safe."

I sat up, my throat dry, my heart still pounding from the memory of what had happened. Sebastian stood at the door, watching quietly.

"What happened?" Mr. Black asked, his voice full of concern.

I swallowed hard, feeling the urge to tell them everything. But I couldn't. I couldn't drag them into this mess. "Nothing," I lied, my voice barely above a whisper. "I just... I fell."

Their eyes showed they didn't believe me, but they didn't push. They just nodded, offering me the comfort I didn't deserve.