Truth Chasers

Chapter Twelve

Thursday 23rd August, 2040.
Dalton Academy- Section 1, Quarter 1.
6:00pm
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I jolt awake, groggy and disoriented, as I take in the empty classroom around me. The seats are all unoccupied, rows of silence stretching out in every direction. I must have been more exhausted than I realized—sleep has been rare these past few days, and I'd clearly fallen like a log. But when did class end? Why didn't anyone wake me?

Rubbing my eyes, I glance toward the window. It's getting dark outside. What time is it? I push myself up, but my legs feel numb, pins and needles prickling painfully. I try to lift my right leg, but it refuses to budge. I'm still struggling to move when a sudden, heavy sound breaks the silence.

Thud.

My whole body tenses. Another thud rings in my ears and sends a shiver through me. I try to lift my foot again. Nothing. I am stuck in one place. The sound continues and much to my horror, it gets louder.

I realize with much trepidation that the sounds are footsteps. Someone is coming in my direction... and I am stuck.
No, no, no, no, no, no!
I attempt time and time again to move but I can't feel my legs. A big lumps sits in my throat and hot tears spring in my eyes. Please move, please... just please. I beg my legs but to no avail. Pretend Saylor. Pretend you have the power. Pretend you are not afraid.

"W-who is there?" I wait for a response to my demand but get nothing. A beat of silence passes. "I'm not afraid of you." Lies.
My heart hammers against my ribs and I am trembling. I try lifting my right foot again and it finally lifts up from the ground. A shaky breath of relief leaves my lips. I step out from behind the table and shrug my backpack on while I weigh out my options, trying to decide the best course of action to take.

Would it make sense to run towards him? To run toward this stranger in the hallway and attempt to attack him/her? That seems like a stupid plan considering the fact that I am unarmed. Should I try escaping? The only door is the one leading to the hallway that the stranger is currently occupying. I scan the room and my eyes land once again on the window. The heavy footsteps are getting louder. Closer. I have to act now.

I move as silently as I can in the direction of the window. I try to pull it open but it doesn't budge. I scan the room in search of something to break the glass with. There is nothing except tables and chairs. Ugh! I tear my backpack off from my back, my breathing heavy and loud in my ears. None of my notebooks are going to be strong enough to shatter the glass with. I make an instant decision. I will punch through the glass. I try steadying my breathing as I raise my fist to my eye level. I mentally prepare myself for my escape. I will count to three and then I will shatter this glass with my fist. When it shatters, I'll have to quickly climb through the broken shards. I exhale. One...Two...

"Saylor!" I snap my head in the direction of the doorway, my fist still raised high. The figure emerges from the dark hallway and I am shocked at who stands there staring at me. Rory. His eyes are wide open. They slowly take in my fist before he drops his gaze to mine. My hand drops to my side.

"Why are you here?" I demand but u can't ignore the relief I feel. No killer. Just Rory.

"We have to go." He says reaching his hand out to me even though there's at-least eight feet of space between us. My mouth falls open as I try to make sense of this situation. Why isn't he frowning at me like he usually does? And what does he mean by we have to go? What is going on? And... did he just call me Saylor? Not Red?

"I'm not going anywhere." Is Knockout in the parking lot? I stare out at the setting sun.

"Saylor," His eyes are pleading. "It's not safe—" A loud sudden gunshot sends Rory falling to the floor and my scream pierces the air. I inch towards Rory and halt when I am standing over him, watching blood seep out of him. My knees shake once then twice and I am trembling like a leaf.