The Vanishing Girls Of Willow Creek (Willow Creek, #1)

Chapter Twenty Five

It has been said 'time heals all wounds.' I do not agree. The wounds remain. In time, the mind, protecting its sanity, covers them within scar tissue, and the pain lessens, but it is never gone. - Rose Kennedy

As I walked into school on Monday morning, everything seemed normal at first glance. But as I made my way through the crowded halls, something felt off.

Groups of students were gathered in clusters, their hushed whispers and furtive glances towards the main office sending a shiver down my spine. This wasn't typical high school behaviour, especially not on a Monday morning.

"What's going on?" I asked Jon, my voice barely above a whisper, as we approached the crowd.

He shook his head, his brows furrowed in confusion. "I have no idea, but it can't be good."

We joined the throng of students peering into the main office, trying to catch a glimpse of what was causing such a stir. The secretaries appeared to be going about their business as usual, but then the principal emerged from his office with two SROs trailing behind him.

My heart skipped a beat as I realized what this meant. The police were here for something serious—maybe even related to Miranda's disappearance.

"Could it be about Miranda?" I whispered to Jon, dread pooling in the pit of my stomach.

He nodded solemnly. "It's possible. We'll just have to wait and see if they make an announcement."

With a heavy sigh, we decided to head to our lockers before class started. But my mind couldn't shake off the worry and curiosity that consumed me like wildfire.

As we made our way through the halls towards Jon's first-period classroom, I couldn't help but bounce with nervous energy. The mystery surrounding the police presence gnawed at me relentlessly.

"I can't stop thinking about why they're here," I admitted to Jon, desperation creeping into my voice.

He squeezed my shoulder reassuringly. "We'll find out soon enough."

Just then, the crackling of the P.A. system echoed through the hallways. Principal Mackenna's voice filled the air, announcing an unexpected assembly and mentioning the police presence on school grounds.

"I wonder what this is all about," I mused aloud.

Jon chuckled, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "The plot thickens, my dear Harley. Dun. Dun. Dun."

I couldn't help but roll my eyes at his dramatics as I playfully shoved him. Despite our attempts at lightening the mood, there was an underlying tension in the air that we couldn't ignore.

Reluctantly, we made our way back up the stairs we had just descended moments ago, joining a sea of students all heading towards the gym for the mysterious assembly.

As I made my way through the crowded hallway of my high school, a sense of curiosity and anticipation gnawed at me. The usual chatter and laughter that filled the air were replaced by whispers and speculation about the mysterious assembly we were all being summoned to.

I glanced out one of the windows, observing the courtyard below, watching as students hurriedly made their way towards the gym. The sun cast long shadows across the grounds, adding an eerie atmosphere to the already tense situation.

We had managed to secure a spot in the middle of the crowd, close to the back of the gym. The murmurs and whispers around us only added to my growing sense of anticipation.

"I wish we would've gotten better seats," I muttered to Jon, voicing my thoughts out loud.

He chuckled softly. "Would you have wanted to dive into that sea of students just for a closer view? Besides, this way we can make a quick exit once it's over."