Pattern

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty Three

// Avery //

In the middle of class, my phone rang. My phone rarely rings, especially during class, so I picked up despite every student looking my way, and the teacher's frown getting worse by the second.

It was Prudence, but she didn't speak - there was a lot of movement though, and then a crash, like the phone had been dropped. Then the call cut off, and Mr. Delaney stood staring at me in anger. I let him take my phone without argument - I'd get it back after class.

I went up to him after class and apologised, and he stared me down. "It is the height of rudeness that you would answer a phone in my class, Mr. Watts," He grumbled. "I would understand if you got a call - but to answer it? You distracted me and the whole class."

"Sorry," I said quickly. "Really, I thought it was very important."

"What could be more important than math class?" He replied seriously, but handed the phone back, so on the corridor, I tried ringing Prudence back.

There was no answer, so I shoved it back into my pocket and went to my next class, thinking nothing of it.

Until Madison Roberts walked straight up to me in the corridor. She was taller than her friend, but not by much, so I still had to tilt my head to look at her.

"Have you seen Prudence?"

I frowned. How would I have seen her? We weren't in any classes together. We weren't even in the same year.

"No, she rang me earlier though."

"She rang you?" The girl was surprised - and possibly jealous. I smirked. Maybe I was overtaking her when it came to the person Prudence turned to. "What did she say?"

"Nothing, it just sounded like something crashed.. I thought it was an accident.." My voice started to falter as the blood began to drain from Madison's face. "What?"

"She said she was five minutes away about two hours ago. She hasn't turned up yet.

"You don't think..?" I stared at her, suddenly realising why she looked so panicked.

"It could be nothing," The girl added quietly.

"Oh, come on, in the circumstances? I just didn't think anyone would disappear before going to school.. And damn it, I was going to walk her home and all.."

"Why didn't you walk her to school, then?" Madi yelled, suddenly angry. "You care about her, right? Why did you let her go alone?"

"I didn't think, okay?" I replied, matching her volume. She seemed a little surprised, and moved her gaze to the floor. I continued, feeling the guilt come over me. "I'm sorry.. I'm really sorry."

"No, I am too," Madi said, resigned. "But you know what could happen, and I don't know if anyone could go through that and survive, even if we do find her-"

"Stop talking about her like she's

dead," I interrupted angrily. "She's stronger than most."

She was stronger than me.

"Let's go to the station - I think we should talk to her dad first." I started walking towards the back exit, and she followed me hesitantly.

"Won't you get expelled if they find out?" Madison asked, just as I opened the door.

I stared back at her. "Do I look like I care? Now, come on."

--

We ran to the station - I am serious - I had to drag Madison along. At reception, the woman said Officer Knightley was busy, but she went looking for him anyway, and he arrived two minutes later, and stared at us, bewildered.