7 Black Mail and The Decision 2.3

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I can barely make out the shadowy figure in the dark room, but with that long hair it had to be a girl. She was crouched in the corner weeping. What made her cry so hard I wondered? I reached out not wanting to bump into anything walking to her. I want to help but how? My steps echoed in the empty room. She screamed out as if afraid as I neared her. Startled I stumbled back falling to the ground. Ouch my ass hurts. What had I tripped over. I looked around but it was too hard to see. The screaming cries echoed in my ears. Her words repeated like a broken record. What was happening? Figures now stood staring and reaching at this girl. Who where they, I could feel her fear through my body. I shook with sweat, what would happen to her? I looked over, but the girl was gone. I was now crouched in the corner, as the figures grabbed at me the words she cried came from my mouth.

"LEAVE ME ALONE!" I wanted to cry, I was afraid. I shrank burying my head into my knees.

"Someone please save me. WHAT DO YOU ALL WANT FROM ME?" A hand with a red aura reached out among them, grabbing my wrist ripping me up forcefully.

"NO!"

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"Stacy it's time to get up!" Jen called from outside my door after she knocked, waking me from that nightmare. A dream, it was just a dream I sighed in relief as I try to calm my heart.

"Stacy?" She called again with a more annoyed tone.

"Hmmm? Yeah all right thanks Jen I'm coming!" Silence stood between us as if the door was blocking us from communicating.

"Jen!" I called out to her hoping she hadn't left. I had a knot in my stomach and it hurt.

"What is it?" I could hear the sadness as she answered me. I could feel guilt rising in my gut.

"Sorry, about yesterday, that is, it…it wasn't you, it was…" my mind drifted off as I spoke, then came back when I realized the silence…. "it's that I found out my father died, that's why I was gone."

"I see, well I'll see you in class today; right?" She was trying to fight the tears. I could hear it in her tone as she spoke. It always cracks a little when she wants to cry but is trying not to.

"Yeah I'll be there." I replied with an almost whisper. I heard footsteps walking away from my door, and left me in silence I lay on my bed for a while.

One last day won't hurt. I wanted to push her away, but I couldn't bring myself to leave her like that. I washed my face; the soap got in my eyes. God that burns. My clothes are all wrinkled from being in my bag, and my homework wasn't done. Maybe I should skip after all. I thought it be okay going today, but it's already a disaster. 7:48 oh crap I'm running late. I grabbed my bag and ran out to the elevator. Eager for it to move faster I repeatedly pushed the button, hopping up and down as if it would miraculously skip the other floors. After a minute, I end up deciding that taking the stairs would be quicker than the elevator. Bolting through the stair well door, and jumped steps going down to the lobby. I ran all the way to school. I can't remember when I last felt so exhausted so early in the morning. I fling open the classroom door in panic making an awful wrack it as it hit the wall, everyone is staring at me. I then notice my hair was blown in a mess, and my tie was still untied hanging around her neck. I look like an unmade bed. I should have stayed home today I slump my shoulders and sigh. I hear the chattering and giggles as I make my way to my seat. I'd give anything to be invisible right now. One thing I couldn't do with my gift sadly.

"Stacy, are you ok?" Jen stood from her desk and rushed over to me. Worry was all over her face.

"Yeah I was running late." My breath still a little heavy.

"Come on let's go to the bathroom." Jen acted as if nothing happened as she giggled pushing me down the hall. I sat there as she fixed my hair and tie, and tried to work out my uniforms wrinkle

"So, you found out who your father is?" She asked with a cautious tone.

"Erm yeah, I did, but he's no longer here."

"Sorry I was nosy too much yesterday. I know you hate that." I couldn't say a word. I didn't know what to say at all. I felt guilty.

"Ok all done, take a look."

My uniform didn't look wrinkled anymore, and she styled my hair adding a clip. I don't know what she did it was like I was looking into a magic mirror I didn't recognize myself.

"Told you that you were pretty didn't I." Jen was smiling from ear to ear.

"Pretty what are you talking about, I look like a witch wearing a mask", I replied laughing at her. Her face turned sour

"Oh poo, you're so mean, and I tried so hard." Laughter filled the bathroom, and flowed out into the hall.

Class was a mess; I had three days' worth of homework that I was behind in. I felt like I didn't understand a word Mr. Rogers was saying. I felt a huge weight on my back again, but this time it was normal high school stuff.

School came to an end. I couldn't help sighing from being over whelmed as Jen and I walked to the school ground entrance gates.

"What do you suppose is going on over there Stacy?" Jen grabbed my arm and pointed toward the huge group.

Looking up there was a huge crowd of girls lingering at the front gate.

"Who knows I shrugged let's just get going I got a lot of work to start on." Jen hung onto me happily as we continued forward to leave. The girls squealing, chatter continued to get louder as we got closer to the gate entrance.

"He's so cute!"

"Totally! Who do you think he's here for?"

"I wish it was me!"

"Me too, he's so dreamy!"

"Oh; wait he's looking this way!"

"Oh my, gosh, he's looking at me!"

"In your dreams, ugly."

Girls' giggles filled the grounds. Stacy felt a twinge of annoyance as she watched them.

"Stacy he's walking this way." Jen started to tug on my arm.

I looked at her confused. "Who?" but before she could even answer.

"Stacy there you are, I've been waiting for you!" The man from outside the store was smiling brightly like a fool as he walked toward Jen and I waving joyfully. Stopped dead in our tracks Jen looked at me then at the man.

"Do you know him Stacy?" Jen was grinning at me as if I had a secret.

"That stalker again, Erm; I mean no not really. Let's just go" I wanted to brush it off, and leave as soon as possible.

"But he's waving at you;" Jen was persistent in her accusation As I tried to drag her away from him and the group of girls. But she planted her feet firm to the ground.

Jen stop standing there and pointing and let's go, or I'm leaving you! However, it was too late.

Gotcha! The man had snatched my arm around the wrist. Shaken but the suddenness I jerked back trying to get loose.

"LET GO OF ME! I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHO YOU ARE YOU PERVERTED STALKER!" I shouted as I struggled to make him release me.

Hoping if I stirred up a commotion, I thought I might be able to get away from him. Something about him though, I couldn't help thinking seemed familiar. I have to tread lightly though because somehow, he knows my double life secret.

"Stalkers a little much don't you think, you're not even my type." He retorted back. "Are you as blind as you are dumb?"

What did he just call me? "What do you mean by that." I demanded now annoyed stomping my foot like a little kid.

Noticing he is trying to hold a snicker in he turned his head away covering his mouth. "Let's go I need to talk with you alone." He turned looking back at me no longer laughing. He was still smiling, but his tone was serious. Tightening around my wrist he tried to pull me along.

"No way you pervert, go talk to yourself. I'm walking home with my friend today, I promised." "Right, Jen?" I was trying to stand my ground from being dragged but I could tell he was much stronger them me physically at least.

I looked to Jen for help, but she was smiling from ear to ear. I felt all color in my face drained.

"Oh no, I don't mind." She waved her hands excitedly letting go of my other arm, and pushed me into his arms. "But be nice or you might have a shiner on your pretty face, she's kind of a brute."

They both started laughing. This kind of pissed me off for some reason.

Alright, thanks Miss Jen I'll be taking her from here on. Next thing I knew I was scooped up by this stranger and thrown over his shoulder. What the hell does this man think he's doing picking me up and dragging me off like a sack of potatoes.