Youth

Chapter 3: Glasses

Emi's P.O.V./ First Person/ Location: Park High School

"Due to a state of national emergency, all schools are getting out early today. Goodbye."


I'm in the middle of writing the intro for my new story about the squad: "Pussy Squad", when I hear a weird announcement on the speaker system. "Huh. That's strange." I think to myself. I'm in the theatre, on a prop couch in a back corner of the stage. My Stagecraft teacher, "Cowboy Hat" Matt, has given me permission to write because he thinks I'm working on homework.
I get up, pack my things, and sling my backpack over my shoulders. I stroll towards one of the doors. "See you later Matt, I guess?" I call to the teacher. "Hm? ..Oh! Uh, yes, Emi." he replies. "See you tomorrow.
I walk out of the school, and go to a spot next to the bikes. That's where my friends and I usually meet up to walk home after school.
Romeo's already there. He still looks tired from before.
"Sup?" I say to him. I do an upwards nod. "Sup." he replies with a small smile. He does an upwards nod, too. Max saunters up to us. "Hey guys." "What?" we both say. "You know what I like more than getting out of school early?" he continues. Romeo and I sigh simultaneously. "Knoooowledge." He grins. We ignore him. Rip.
"Max, pls." Daniel says as he walks up to us. "I got caught up in the crowd. Sorry I'm late." he says to us. "That's okay." I say as I turn around to face him. "Most of the squad isn't even here yet."
"Oh. Yeah. I think I saw Eric and Lorelei when I was walking out." he says back. He checks his phone while we wait a few more minutes. Probably stalking Heaven. 
"We should just go." Romeo says. Max nods in agreement. "I think I'm going to wait for them." I say while looking at Romeo. "Me, too." Daniel says. "I just saw them. They'll be here in a little bit."
"Well, then I'm gonna go." Romeo says. He starts out. Max follows.
We watch them go, because we're bored and have nothing better to do. When they become little dots on the horizon, I hear two sets of footsteps. I turn around to see Eric & Lorelei. Eric has his arm around Lorelei's shoulder. Lorelei smiles at me. "Thanks for waiting for us." she says. "No problem. Romeo and Max went ahead, though." I reply. "Romo pls." Eric says. We all say the same and nod in agreement. "Have you two seen Connor or Nate, though?" I ask. "No, I don't think so." Eric responds. "I haven't either." Lorelei replies. "We should just go, then." Daniel says to all of us. We agree, and start walking. 

***
"So." I say while walking "Squad house?" 
"Squad house." everyone says in unison. "Waaait." Lorelei whines. "I dropped my glasses. I can't see shit." "Uuugh. Find them yourself, Lorelei." Eric says to her. "I can't. I'm blind without them." Lorelei flatly says. "You guys go ahead. We'll catch up." I say. "Alright." Daniel says. Eric just rolls his eyes. Sass master. They both walk ahead.
"When did you notice they were gone?" I ask Lorelei. "Just now. I felt them fall off. They should be on the sidewalk or in the bushes." she says back. "Mm. Okay." I say. You look on the sidewalk, and  I'll go through the bushes since I can actually see." "Rip." she replies, smirking. Lorelei crouches down and starts feeling around for her glasses. I go into the forest to look behind the bushes.
It's still in the afternoon since we got out early, so the sun is shining. The sunlight dapples though the leaves, beaming through onto the forest floor. I take a deep breath, then exhale. The air is clear and fresh. I look to the right, towards where Lorelei gestured. I step over there and start feeling around.
A bit later, I've found one cool-looking rock, some very old-looking pennies, and disappointment.
"Lorelei!" I call out. "I haven't found anything." I don't hear a reply. I think I'm too far away for her to hear me. I get up, and start walking back. "Lorelei!" I call out again. I break through the trees onto the sidewalk. "Did you find your glasses?" I say loudly. I glance both ways along the street, trying to see where Lorelei is. I see something glinting down the sidewalk a bit. I walk up to inspect what it is.

Lorelei's glasses.

They're cracked in one lens, and the frames are scuffed, but they're definitely hers. I slip them into the pocket of my hoodie. It bugs me that Lorelei's not responding, and that I don't see her. Maybe she gave up and walked ahead with the guys. But why would she leave me without telling me first?
I sigh. My thoughts are getting me nowhere. Assuming that she has, in fact, started walking ahead, I start to walk the same route that we were walking before. Something nags at me, though. "She wouldn't." I say to myself. She wouldn't leave me; not like that. But where would she go? She can hardly see five feet in front of her.
A twig snaps in the forest, very near to me. I whirl around, panic mode activated. I think I see a blur in the trees, but I know how paranoid I can be. Heart thumping, I decide against it. I start walking again, acting oblivious just in case.
A rough hand grabs me by the shoulder, yanking me back painfully. "I fucking knew it." I think to myself for a split second. I use to momentum to swing my other arm at my attacker, raking my nails across their face. I hear a scream. Bingo.
"You're going to wish you hadn't done that, little bitch." I hear a distorted voice whisper angrily into my ear. Before I can see a face to match the voice to, something like a burlap bag is thrown over my head. A string is pulled so it's tight around my neck. My arms are pinned to my back by a second attacker. I stomp with all my might on their foot. I feel their grip on me loosen. I use the opportunity to wrench myself free.
I sprint into the forest, which is still by the sidewalk. I don't know what to do. I have to get away. The sunlight, the fresh air, even the leaves feel so out of place now. I push forwards. I step in a depression in the ground and stumble.  They catch up to me, haul me upwards, and inject something into my neck. I slump backwards into their waiting arms, and dully feel my feet dragging through the forest floor.
Then... nothing.