Cunning Darkness

Chapter 2

More screams commenced and I watched helplessly in horror as they shot the teacher in the head and he fell to his desk, dead.

"Put your hands up!" A man commanded, coming to the front. "We're looking for someone. Someone that if they don't give themselves up, will forfeit the lives of everyone else in this class room if she does not give herself up."

Everyone looked around. I sneaked the taser from my backpack and behind my back and glanced over to see Trent watching me with what looked like pride. He subtly nodded towards me.

"Anyone know a Christie Briar." I froze and my eyes widened with fear. Me? What could they want me for? "There are men in every doorway and possible exit in this school and if we find that girl before she gives herself up in two minutes, the whole classroom will be sentenced to death and we will take her by force. Got that?"

Everyone nodded fearfully. They all knew who the crooks were talking about. We all looked at each other warily. Trent looked around angrily and seemed like he was about to explode.

"Are you okay?" I asked softly.

He looked at me questioningly. "Am I okay? What kind of question is that? You're in danger and you're worrying about me?" He whispered harshly.

My eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "Of course I am." I looked down. "I can't help but to worry about others. I'm going to give myself up so that everyone else can go safely."

He pulled my chin up gently. "Look at me. You are not going to give yourself up and no one, and I repeat no one, will get hurt." He softened. "Got it?"

I nodded nervously. "How are we going to do that?"

He let go of my chin suddenly and stepped back as if he just realized what he was doing. I instantly missed the contact. What am I doing? We're in danger here.

"Use the taser as a distraction and take the leader's radio. Then, we'll take out the rest of them and the rest of the men won't know anything unless they come in."

Everyone in our group nodded in confirmation and I set to action. Time to kick some ass. I walked forward until two goons stopped me from coming any further. Lights. Camera. Action...

"What do you want?" He growled menacingly. I let myself flinch in fear and he smirked. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.

"I-I'm Christie Briar," I replied, making sure to stutter and actually let some of my nervousness out. I'm too used to hiding my emotions.

He grinned like a wolf who caught his prey. "Oh really?"

Everything went quiet as they watched the scene before them.

"I'll have to ask you something only she would know, is that okay? Don't answer that, I don't care."

I nodded in reply

"How did your parents die?" He asked, a grin of satisfaction on his face. I instantly paled. That memory was so bad and effected me so deeply, I didn't even tell Hanna the whole story.

"Oh, Christie..." She trailed off in sympathy.

"Shut up," he snapped. "Now answer my question," he ordered, his smile returning. "And don't leave out any gory details. I want to hear it from someone that was actually there herself."

I looked back and met Trent's eyes. They were filled with sadness. He nodded his encouragement. I can't believe I have to do this. I looked at the leader, holding my chin up in pride, even though inside, I was cowering in fear.

"On my birthday, they planned a surprise party for my sweet sixteen. I was texted to come downstairs, that something happened and they had to leave and that they loved me. I thought it was a set up, of course, they would never leave me." I stopped, suddenly choked up at the memory.