Twisted

PROLOGUE

Eastwood High School.

Home.

At least it was when I had him around.

I immediately felt the heat through my shirt when I got off my car. My school never did change that much, except the new banners that were made by the Arts department. I walked through the deserted parking lot, towards the double doors. After all these years, I was still wearing my usual outfit; jeans, a v-neck shirt under a plaid shirt. My Chucks are worn out, though.

I pushed open the doors, not surprised they're unlocked. They're always open. I never understood why. Glancing at the trophies majestically placed in a huge glass case, I walked through the dark hallway.  Trophies won from academic competitions but mostly from sports. I laughed; Dan wasn't very good in sports. He was always sitting around, writing and writing.

Dan. Daniel.

Focus, Ella. Focus on your mission.

I walked briskly---or, ran---to the maintenance room. I could go there with my eyes closed. I remember running through the same hallway just to get to the library.

It's as if I'm going back to my past.

I am.

I broke into the maintenance room and fumbled for the switch. My hand searched for it but found nothing. My eyes eventually adjusted and I saw a long panel before me. I squinted and saw the word LIBRARY beside a switch on the panel. I pressed the switch and got out of the room.

Fearing that somebody else might be in the building, I ran again. A great wave of nostalgia ran through me.

This is fucking crazy, Ella! I remember Daniel saying when we first snuck in.

The library will be our sanctuary ... I'll miss holding your hand like

this ...

I love you, Ella .  .  .

I skidded to a stop when I saw the lighted library.

Our secret place.

I strided into the library and inhaled the scent of books. The library had ten rows of bookcases, two on each side of the room. I went to the last one, on the left.

I felt all jittery inside. I have been waiting for four years. I promised myself that I'd go back.

And I have.

Time seemed to stop as I slowly walked towards the bookcase. I crouched and looked at the bottom shelf. My eyes searched for a bronze-ish cover with no title.

I found nothing.

My journal. My past.

Daniel.

They're all gone.