Into the woods ~ Emma's pov

Chapter 1: two years later

My name is Emma Miller. I am 15. I'm in 10th grade. I dream of chocolate skies and red seas. Two years ago today, I learned of a nuclear bomb planning. Still hasn't happened.

I don't have a boyfriend nor do I want one. I am an elite volleyball player and I have a starting spot on 3 teams year round. I still don't see myself as the athletic type, but I do have muscle. And flexibility. Comes in handy.

It's September 4th. 6th period. I wait for the clock to tick exactly 27 more times before class ends. I look to Miranda Rader, my desk partner for math. She's always been so clever. I've known her since the fourth grade. She has fiery red hair, bright blue eyes, full lips, a curvy body covered in freckles, and has every guy chasing after her. She's a funny, fun loving popular girl. When you think of having a party, she's the first one you invite. Basically everyone wants to be her. We learned sing language just so we could communicate in class without being caught. Miranda signed to me, "This hoe is giving us homework on a weekend, and she wonders why no one likes her." I smile and sign back "Maybe the other teachers like her." I hesitate, pretend I'm thinking, then shake my head and sign "maybe not." She snickered and I smirked. Then the bell rang and everyone ran into the hallway.
Suddenly the lockdown alarm went off and there was a voice on the intercom telling us to report immediately to the gymnasium.

Confused, I put everything in my locker and walk to to gym. I sit beside Zoe Adair and ask, "What is this for??" Zoe was my friend and supporter when I was bullied. She's always there for me and I am so grateful for her. She's beautiful, with a perfect body and 99 average on her report card. Also a beautiful dancer. I constantly wonder how all my friends are so perfect. Why they would want to be friends with me.
There isn't anything special about me.
She answers, "I have no idea. Wouldn't they tell is if we had a school assembly?" I nod, and everyone quiets down when they see the tall man enter the room. He walked to the center of the gym and at that moment I realized none of our teachers were in the room like they usually were. The man speaks in a very loud voice.

"Jessica Tackett, please come down." Jessica looks stunned, and after a second she slowly stands up and starts walking down the bleacher stairs. "Emma Miller, please also come." Me and Jessica make a dangerous eye contact, like we're both afraid. We haven't spoken in 2 years, since the thing in the woods. What could this possibly be for? Then, he speaks again.

"We also need Ripley Ramos, Miranda Rader, Zoe Adair, and Riley Martin." WHAT IS HAPPENING?? We are all rushed into a dark but big office, and I hear the door click. "We have brought you in here for just a few quick questions. Nothing much." The tension is only rising and I feel no more safe than I did 15 seconds ago. "Riley, Miranda, have either of you heard anything of a bomb?" "What?" Riley responds quickly. Riley is such a tall guy, so handsome. Jessica is in love with him. They've been dating for 7 months. I'm honestly surprised. Riley and Jessica were holding hands. "Why would WE know anything of a bomb? Is this a joke?" Says Ripley. Now Ripley is a handful. A small, sassy, cute lesbian who is even mysterious to her friends. "I am the only one asking questions here." Says the tall man. "Miranda, what do you know about a bomb?" "Who said I know anything!" Miranda yells.

The man pulls out a gun and we all scream. He shoots miranda in the leg without hesitation, and I scream and sprint to her, trying to find anything to stop the maroon pool from coming out of her knee. Riley hides Jessica and Ripley. I jump up after tying mirandas leg with my button-up shirt. I now have only a tank top on. He sees my scar in my shoulder and laughs. "It's YOU. The one who escaped."

I can't breathe.

It's him.

The one who tried to kill me and Jessica.