A shadow among men

A lunch surprise

     I sat in the hall curled in the fetal position crying. I grabbed my phone. I texted Jay and Celeste. When she figures out Mitchell is on the lose, she will either freak or call the cops. I heard steps coming from both directions, both sounded to be running. Jay was coming from the right, Celeste from the left. "Summer!" Celeste dropped to her knees by me. "Is everything okay?" Jay said kneeling by me. I shook my head and pointed to the door. "I'll go ask the teacher" Celeste said. She stood and went inside. "Hey, It's okay." Jay hugged me, I usually hate hugs but I can stand them from some people. I curled up tighter and cried more, with my silent sobs. Celeste returned with her phone out. "The teacher said they were just watching the student news." Celeste was typing away at her phone. "This one" She held out the phone so her and Jay could see the screen. I hid my face in my knees. I don't want to see that again. The anchor started again. I listened to each word, each one wanting to make me puke. When he started talking about Mitchell I looked at Celeste. Her face was frozen, her eyes wide. She dropped her phone as the anchor said our names. "No, no oh no. I want that bitch back in that fucking cell" She grabbed her phone and shut it off, stopping the anchor mid sentence. "Summer. Are you gonna be okay?" Jay hugged me again. "Celeste?" I looked at Celeste. She seemed a bit uneasy now. "I'll be fine" her breath was unsteady. I knew when she was lying. "Summer?" Jay looked back at me. I looked up at him and slowly nodded. "I'll be a text away." He hugged me and then hugged Celeste. "I'm sorry." He said as he walked away.

     Celeste and I sat out there for the rest of the class period. Then we got our stuff and went to our next class. Which was not eventful and neither was third period. When the bell rang for lunch we grabbed our stuff and walked to the cafeteria. We weren't hungry. Well that's a lie. We were actually quite hungry, but they were only serving mac and cheese due to low supplies. Why the hell does mac and cheese appear everywhere. We sat on the ledge just above the group, which was literally right behind their heads. I mostly watched the windows but Celeste listened and talked.It had begun raining last period and was now rather heavy. I saw that no students crossed the area outside the cafeteria due to the rain. But  I noticed a tall shadow. The shadow came closer, it was wearing a black trench coat and a black fedora. It was facing me, not slightly to the right or left, dead center of me. It couldn't be. But it has to be, who else would stalk me. I pulled a knife out of my boot, which I always had on me now, for safety. I never took my eye off him. When I stood up "Wait up" Jay jumped to follow me. When he got to me. He looked outside. "Not on my watch" He took the knife from my hand before I could move. He walked out the door with me behind him. I glared at Mitchell. He never looked up, he only turned towards us, his face still covered. I heard the door shut behind us. Celeste was now next to me. Jay ran at him with the knife but Mitchell just sidestepped and tripped Jay. Jay fell to the wet cement but was fast to get up. Jay jumped at him with the knife. He caught Jay's arm "Boy, you would do well to check before you attack." I knew that voice. It wasn't Mitchell's. My eyes teared up. "Stop toying with us Mitchell!" Celeste yelled from next to me. He looked at us. "Ow, you don't know who I am huh." He let go of Jay who protectively stepped in front of him when he moved towards me. "I don't care who you are, stay back" Jay yelled. I knew who he really was. I stepped forward and gently pushed Jay aside "Sum-" I held up my hand in front of Jay. I was now face to face with him. I reached up and pulled his fedora off, revealing a burned bald head. Tears now fell down my cheeks. I smiled, for the first time, a real smile. "Hello again Summer"

     Izic, in the flesh. I hugged him. I could see Jay out of the corner of my eye, he was very confused. I stepped back. "Forgive me for not introducing myself sooner. I am Izic Nuttle. Summer and I met in Hellis Asylum" I cringed as Izic spoke that name. I heard Celeste let out a sob behind me. "Izic huh, well since Summer knows ya, I guess you get off the hook" Jay twirled the knife. "Now, why are you here?" He asked. I looked back as Izic because I also wanted to know why he was here. "I'm here on behalf of some old friends, not too old. Summer knows them. Marcus Ingles, Jason and Dane." I looked at him and tilted my head. "We know, they are gone." Celeste's voice was shaken but she moved up by me. "Actually, they aren't. We are all fine, bunkered up in that hell hole" Izic said smiling. "Wait, you mean. They are okay. Everyone" Celeste sounded happy, truly happy. "Yeah. When I say everyone, I mean everyone." He said. "And by that, you know I mean Mitchell too. Last night he-" Celeste cut him off "Got out of jail. Yeah we heard." She hung her head. "And there's the fact that you aren't safe. We want you to come back. Before you freak out though. I know you hate it, we all do. We can't go out though, to the real world, not with our issues. Not to mention Mitchell won't hesitate to kill us if he sees us. And he won't be so kind with you next time either." He said with a sorrowful tone. "And, we fear he may also be looking at your friends this time as well, not family but friends." He added. "Why not family, they are closer to her." Celeste said. "Yes, that's true but he takes the friends because he knows it's easier to kidnap them rather than those related to her because she is now on full guard." He said. "What about her boyfriend" Celeste asked. I shook my head. "Jase was forced out of country with his family." Jay told them. "I know it will be hard going back. And even harder to get your friends to come along but it's for your safety and theirs." He said. I know he isn't planning anything, but I am still worried. I nodded. "What friends though, she has a few." Jay said stepping closer, knife in hand still. "Well, we have looked into the matter and we think Jordan, yourself, Summer, Celeste, and Danielle." Izic said. "Are you sure, that doesn't seem like many." Jay sounded rather suspicious. "I'm aware, but from what I have seen and read up on, those are some of your closest friends, the rest have been booked on flights and trains. And of course family members aren't included. Also if we take too many friends he will know something is up." He said. Izic began looking around, the rain was a bit lighter now. God forbid he find what he is looking for. "It's your decision Summer" Celeste put her hand on my shoulder. "Wherever you go, we follow" She said. What is this a chick flick despite my thoughts I nodded. I refuse to see anyone else hurt. I won't let him do any more harm.