YOURS

Chapter 2

Panic set in. Anxiety screaming at me to get up and run. Curiosity making me stay. Fear keeping me frozen.

The teacher was talking but I was not listening. Emma was also talking. She was whispering to "Sean." He responded with simple answers.

"It's nice to have someone who looks smart for my partner." She would say.

"Mhm. Cool." He'd whisper back not even looking in her direction.

I was avoiding eye contact, looking to my left at the school posters that were crooked and falling off the wall of this classroom that seemed to be getting smaller the longer my heart beat with panic.

Cole's eyes burned into the back of my head.

I was shaking. The desk that sat above my legs was moving. It was a long table that I was sharing with Emma and Cole. I think they knew it was me who was moving it, but they didn't say anything.

I wonder what Cole is thinking?

A hand touched my shoulder to turn me around. I jolted from my chair.

All eyes were on me as the room became quiet. My seat had flung back and tipped over.

"Sean" stood up with me and picked it up.

"I...." I began to speak.

The teacher gave me a death glare letting me know that I needed to sit back down.

"I need to use the bathroom." I looked to the floor and rushed out of the room.

I took a deep breathe as the classroom door closed behind me.

It took exactly 20 long and quick steps to reach the closest bathroom. I pushed the door open and sighed of relief when I looked to see that all the stalls were empty. I was alone.

I grabbed the sink that was farthest away from the door and took a long look in the mirror.

"It's okay." I told myself.

Just call Helen or Mark...I thought. Tell them what's going on. As soon as they hear what is happening I'll be safe.

I just need to get to my phone...which is in my locker. shit.

What if he followed me out of the classroom? What if he was waiting right outside the bathroom door to pounce on me?

I shook off my fear. I haven't felt this scared since...trying to find my way out of those snow infested woods with Katie.

I closed my eyes letting the tears I've been pushing back out and wiped my face. I need to get my phone.

I walked over to the bathroom door and put my hand on the handle to leave.

Open the door. Just open it and run. I can do this.

I peeled the heavy door from it's closed position and let the air from the hallways hit my face. No one was standing and waiting for me.

See, nothing to worry about. I'm worrying about nothing.

I took slow steps to my locker. Each step was like dragging my legs through waist deep mug. My head was spinning. Memories of the last time I was in a school with anxiety filled my mind.

The day I got kidnapped.

I was half way to my locker, now passing the janitors closet. As I turned the corner a hand covered my mouth and pulled me back.

A door opened and suddenly I was watching it close right in front of me. I was in the janitors closet with a mystery person covering my screams.

"Don't yell." A soft male voice whispered in my ear.