Take Me Away | ✓

» 24

K A D E N

The next couple of days after Sam's gran passed were the worst. It felt surreal just saying it, let alone believing it.

School was another chore added to the list. It was made worse when I approached my locker one morning, a dent and a huge red X marking it. Taped to the metal was an article.

Gripping the straps of my bag, I took the paper down and scanned my eyes over the text, already hearing whispers formulating around me.

Jane Mordecai, 17, was shot to death last Sunday. Police have strong reason to suspect that it was the victim's brother, Kaden Mordecai, 16 . . .

I crumpled the article the way I'd done to Phoenix's when I'd found it on her. The tannoy sounded then. My name was called, a voice telling me to make my way towards the principal's office.

Aware of the stares directed my way, I began to make my way there, but it wasn't without difficulty. It seemed like every step I took, there was an article taped to a locker or a notice board or clasped in someone's hand.

I passed Hampton on the way. He had a copy of the article. "Guess I underestimated you." Then he walked away, making sure to knock my shoulder whilst doing so.

Even the receptionist gave me a cautious glance as she led me into the office.

"Take a seat." The principal inclined her head towards the chair.

"You've read it." I said, noticing a copy of the fabricated article in front of her.

"I have."

"So am I being kicked out or. . ."

"Of course not. This is a cruel joke to play. I want you to know that we're going to do everything we can to get to bottom of this. We will not tolerate bullying in this school."

I sighed. I had a pretty good idea who was behind this.

"I'm going to inform your parents about this."

"Please don't." I rubbed my temple and sat a little straighter. "They're going to come back in a few days anyway so can we just let them enjoy the rest of their holiday while they can? Please."

She moved her hand from the telephone. "Very well."

Seeing that the conversation was over, I stood up. But before I left, the principal stopped me. "If you run into any trouble today, don't hesitate to come to my office. The door's always open."

A little too much for my liking. But I just nodded my head.

-

School wasn't the only place that the fake article surfaced. It was in the local newspaper. Word spread fast about Ms Johnson's death-- it was no wonder that this had too.

I lost my job that day.

"I'm sorry but my hands are tied." My manager said, once calling me into his office. I'd seen a lot of offices that day. "All this attention is bad for business."

"It's not true." I knew my voice was verging on desperate.

He avoided looking at me. "I'm sorry." He said again. "You'll still get paid for what you've done this month."

After an elongated silence, I nodded. Picking up my bag, I swung it over my shoulder and left his office, bumping into the Jenna on the way. She muttered an apology but otherwise looked anywhere but at me.

I did my walk of shame out of the diner. The comments had varied that day:

sick fucker

do you think he really did it?