Missing Footsteps

The Beginning of the End

Warnings: Strong Language, Mentions of death

September 7

"Good morning students, welcome to Windsor High". Principle Schwartz stated as she stood on the podium, hands on the wooden lectern that is adorned by Windsor's emblem. This may be Windsor High's first day of the first semester of twenty-twenty, but it is not the first semester nor year; that Windsor stands tall as one of the most prestigious schools in the United States of America. This is just another day of us holding our prestige up high not through the use of our elite status and infrastructure but, through the diligent work of our staff and students." Principle Schwartz's voice began to fade away as Aluia bumped her elbow onto her best friends arm. "Psss, do you think that shes aware that Trey literally almost died yesterday after being spiked at a Windsor welcome party." Aluia whispered as she lowered her head, trying to not be caught talking. "IDK Lu, died is maybe an exaggeration. Im pretty sure she knows, though what is she going to do about it – it didnt happen in the school's premises." Cassandra replied whilst also slightly lowering her head and looking at Lu. "But Cas, you werent there – Im serious Trey got really fucked up in that party, they said that there was some sort of acid in his drink." Lu informed. "Acid?!" Cas shockingly whispered. "Do you think someone was trying to kill him?" Cas asked. "IDK, but it is suspish that he was the only one that was spiked yesterday Lu replied." "Guys quiet down, some of us actually want to hear what is being said." the girl that is sat next to them insisted. "Okay Harlow Ill zip it, but only because you're the birthday girl Aluia smirked.", sitting back onto the soft raisin colored stage seats.

As an hour passed so did the rest of the boring routine ridden assembly, sending the high school students and teachers to their designated classes. "Hey, what were you and Lu talking about back there?" the girl curiously asked as she walked along with Cas to math class. "Well Ming, arent you curious as always." Cas giggled. "Hey! Both you and Lu are a part of our friend group so I think I deserve to know." Ming chimed. "Fair enough. We were talking about what happened to Trey." Cas responded. "And what about it?" Ming asked. "Well I think Lu is just wondering if Schwartz knows about it and whether she'll do something about it." Cas answered. "Well its not like it really directly affects the school." Ming said. "Yup thats what I was thinking too Cas." remarked. "Anyways I don't think Theia would be cool with us talking about Trey like that. Aaaanndd it's after all Harlows birthday, that should be the focus Ming" added as she raised her finger to make a point. "Agreed." Cas stated, as they arrived at Math class after walking on the paved pathway surrounded by rows of flowers and forest green grass. The two girls placed their bags on the floor and sat next to each other, sharing the same school table. "Hello students, I hope you all had a great time in your school break and got to rest because there is a lot of work to do." Mrs. Michaels said. "We will be starting with geometry. Mrs. Michaels added as she grabbed a blue marker and began writing on the white board, earning a groan from the rest of the class." "I'm so screwed, I already get Bs in this class and now Im going to get an F." Cas whined as she solemnly grabbed her iPad from her bag to make notes. "Like, why am I even in the smart math class Cas." further ranted. "Coz you are smart and get As in everything else, while in the other hand this class is my only saving grace." "And if you need any help, you know Calvin is always willing to give some." Ming remarked as she attempted to cheer Cassandra up. "I know, but I always feel bad asking him for help even though hes always so nice about it." Cassandra responded. "Do you guys even realize that Im like right behind you? And dont worry Cas Im always willing to help "Calvin smiled as he placed his arms on his half of the table, and slightly pushed himself forward. "Thanks Calvin, if I have any difficulties, Ill hit you up." Cas informed as she turned to look at Calvin. Calvin winked. Thirty minutes later, Theia walked into the class looking exhausted as her eyes were covered with eye bags. "Hi Theia come in; dont worry I know why you're late" Mrs. Michaels stated. Theia simply replied by nodding. "Hey." Cas whispered as Theia walked down the class to sit next to Calvin. "Hey." Theia weakly smiled as she re-arranged her braids into a tighter ponytail. "I know I look like shit you dont need to tell me." Theia laughed, causing Cas, Ming and Calvin to laugh too. "This is what happens when you have an idiot brother that gets himself into stupid situations." Theia ranted. "Come on Theia, its not like the poor guy spiked himself." Calvin stated, attempting to comfort her and place Trey in a better light. "Poor guy? Yeah no, more like dumb guy." "Anyways." she sighed. "Lets just act like it never happened..." Calvin, Cas and Ming silently agreed. "Does everyone have everything needed for our little surprise birthday party for Harlow? I was too busy to check the messages in the group". Theia stated. "Yup we all have what we need. You guys will just have to go to the botanical garden to set everything up and Ill bring her over." Ming stated. "Damn, and you guys didnt even consider inviting me to the party". Calvin joked. "Well from what I remember, you are not Harlow's close friend Ming." responded causing Calvin to smirk.

Slowly but surely the first break came, causing Ming to rush from math class to art class in order to meet with Harlow. Ming ran to Harlow and blocked her pathway as Harlow attempted to go to the cafeteria. "Ming what are you doing?" Harlow giggled as she attempted to move past Ming. "Trying to get the love of my life to the botanical garden so that we can celebrate her birthday." Ming smiled as she moved left to right ensuring that Harlow did not move past her. "Honestly, I dont know if I want to celebrate my birthday. I woke up to my parents arguing about my moms spending, again. My brother barely said happy birthday and left the house looking like a sad puppy without giving me the chance to hear me out, again. And my closest friends didnt even say happy birthday to me." Harlow sighed and leaned on the class's wall. "Hey, Im here, I love you, and Im going to make sure that you remember that by giving you an amazing moment on your birthday, so come." Ming said as she held Harlows hand and lightly pulled her along to the schools botanical garden. The girls set their bags down outside the glass door of the garden. And walked into the familiar sight of forest green grass embroiled by flowers of every kind, that were fed by the bright sun that shone from the glass roof, and further heard the familiar sound of birds happily chirping on the trees. They walked further towards the middle of the garden that was decorated by the familiar cement benches and not so familiar round pink balloons, silver balloons that spelt out Harlow, two gold balloons that completed the number seventeen and a picnic blanket with a basket on top of it filled with snacks and drinks. "SURPRISE!" Cas, Lu, Theia and Ming shouted as they came out of hiding. Harlow began to cry and placed her head onto Mings shoulder, "You god damn bastards." Harlow sobbed causing a response of laughter from the rest of the girls. "Told you that it was gonna be special. Ming smiled. I love you guys so much." Harlow beamed as she placed herself into a group hug, surrounded by her close friends. The girls sat down on the blanket and began to eat the snacks, as they started a light hearted free flowing conversation that radiated the sound of happiness and laughter. As per the usual, Cassandra zoned out and began to wander her sight along the familiar features of the botanical garden. However, she noticed something very strange on the far side of the garden, a hand? "Hey guys, what is that?" Cas pointed at what she thought was possibly a mannequins hand. "Umm, yeahh." that looks weird Aluia stammered as she stood up and slowly got close to it. The rest of the girls simply watched Lu; whilst Theia remained disinterested and simply shook it off. "What the fuck?" Lu silently voiced her state of confusion. "What?" Cas wondered. "I think its a person, specifically one of us – they have our school uniform on." Lu stated as she slightly bent her back, inspecting it further. All the girls were now in high alert, wondering if they were in a state of danger. "Maybe they fell asleep." Cas stated, hoping that it was nothing serious. "I dont know Cas; his face is blue" Lu trembled. "Well who is it?" Ming asked. Lu looked at Harlow with pity and worry in her eyes, "Harlow, you've got to see this Lu" insisted. Weirdly without hesitation she walked towards what they presumed to be a student sleeping, yet a sinking feeling bestowed her. Harlow looked at Lu's direction and her eyes confirmed exactly what Lu stated, but what Lu did not state is that it was Harlow's own brother. "Daniel." Harlow whispered as she sunk onto her knees and placed a hand on his cheek and the other on his wrist, searching for a pulse but nothing; he was dead. 

Author's Notes

As the title says this is just the beginning of the end, thus why it is only focused on the event that brought the existence of Missing Footsteps. From here you will see more of the characters' personalities and features, individual interactions and etc. Also more characters will be added so there is more to come :). Thank you for reading x

Psss if you immediately wanna know how Aluia is pronounced, it's: Ah-loo-we-ah