Fern Creek Academy Book 1

Chapter 15: Trapped

Hilary wished she'd brought a jumper, the night air was cold and her vest didn't keep it all out. As she approached the stables, she thought she heard voices and laughter, she frowned, something wasn't right.

She carefully inched open the huge, wooden double doors that were locked up at night, she was surprised to find that they were open. Hilary sneaked down the long stable aisle, most of the horses were asleep. A bright slither of light came from under the tack room, the voices and laughter got louder, it sounded like students.

Hilary knew for sure that whatever the people in there were doing, they weren't supposed to. Hilary walked along the rough concrete, her shoes making no sound, and stopped about a metre from the door, it was ajar. She caught a few words    "....... and then he fell off!!!" It was interrupted by a snort of laughter that got the whole group laughing.

Hilary was shocked, that voice, she'd heard it before, it was the one she most dreaded.

It was Amanda's.

Her brain whirred at full speed, she couldn't openly accost Amanda, the girls wouldn't listen to her anyway, she couldn't go up to tell the teachers, they'd ask her what she was doing outside in the first place and they'd probably all be asleep anyway. No, there was nothing to do, she'd just have to wait.

The clink of a glass jar was heard coming from the door, Hilary's eyes widened, they were eating and drinking in there. Then, suddenly she put the pieces together.

Emma had noticed Amanda sneaking around near the tack room. Now, at 12 o'clock, a group of girls, including Amanda were having a midnight feast. Amanda must have been preparing for tonight, thought Hilary, when Emma saw her. She could easily have hidden food under a box or tub.

Unbeknown to Hilary, a loose iron nail was wedged into the stable door behind her. As Hilary stepped back, her hand brushed the nail and sent it tumbling to the ground with many loud clinks and clangs. Hilary stood stock still, her pulse raced, the group in the tack room grew quiet, silence descended, Hilary was too scared to move, it was as though her shoe was nailed to the ground.

She heard footsteps and looked up.

There in the light of the room stood Amanda, as neat, sneering and rude as ever.

Hilary, gaining some courage, tried to admonish Amanda.

"You really shouldn't be here you know," she said weakly, realising that she herself wasn't supposed to be there "I don't know what th-"

Amanda cut her off,"Well, what do we have here," she took a step closer, sneering down at Hilary "Hilaaaaarious Hilary." She laughed at her own joke. By now, most of the group had gathered around Amanda, sneering approval.

"And, may I ask, what you're doing here ?" The rest of the group sniggered.

Hilary realised Amanda had no right to be ridiculing her and decided to stick up. " I'd like to ask the same question of you," she said, regaining confidence.

Well.........I just don't think you'll get the chance," she said coldly.

Amanda's smile was scary as she roughly grabbed Hilary and shoved her towards the spare equipment room, Hilary fought and kicked, but it was impossible to get out of the grip of so many girls. In a few seconds, Hilary was on the ground of the room and the girls had slammed the door shut and driven the bolts home.

Crying was out of the question for Hilary, she just had to get OUT of here.

In vain she pushed and shoved at the door, it was 10cm thick and had solid iron bolts holding it back. Hilary was tired out and sweating after trying to open the door, she was amazed at how evil the girls could be, she'd expected Amanda to shrug her off but not LOCK her UP!!!

Hilary had no idea how long she'd have to wait, the room was tucked out of sight at the back of the stables, no one ever passed near there, much less look  in there. And if Hilary knocked on it, there was a very small chance anyone would ever hear her as the door was so thick.

Hilary slumped back against the wall in despair, a hollow thud sounded. Hilary turned around in surprise, all that was there was a box full of dusty bridles and leather reins, behind that, Hilary's eyes widened in disbelief, a gap in the wall. That could only mean one thing.

Hilary began heaving the box with all her strength, after 10 minutes, she had made a gap just wide enough to squeeze through. Using the light of her flashlight, she looked at the wall.

Her suspicions were confirmed, just above the skirting board, about 90cm high stood a door set in the wall.