Isabella Agosti [Slow Updates]

S I X

Rylan

I woke up, again, feeling no better than before. I had an inkling that this fever/sickness was not going away anytime soon. I guess I had that to look forward to. It was morning and I shouldn't really hold off school too much or someone will get sceptical. I can't risk that. So I dreadfully and painfully left my happiness behind me and headed to get ready for my second hell.

School.

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At school, it wasn't pleasant in the sense that all I saw was disgusting, vile humans. They were everywhere and there was no escaping them; except hiding away in a corner, or running off to the library.

Which is what I did. I had a secret hideout in the far corner of the big room, just for me. I brought out the book I had recently taken out of the school's library and started reading. Little Women. I loved it so much already, I was half way through and couldn't stop reading and taking notes to save my life. I take notes to help with my English language and I just can't help it; annotating is simple- it comes naturally to me.

The bell rings, and I get up to leave after spending some quality reading time in my special spot. I walk to first period and go through another day of school like normal. When exiting the building, I decide to take a really quick short cut home. I wanted to lay down after getting dinner over and done with. I was exhausted even though I had a couple naps in some classes.

The short cut was through an alleyway, which was dark and isolated and creepy but needs must. I was halfway through when I suddenly heard footsteps coming towards me from the opposite direction I was going. There were puddles of murky water on the ground and the feet of the other person just splashed down on them. The loud sound that came from it made me flinch and my breath hitch. I was semi-scared. It could just be someone walking home too, could it not?

A voice with the tone of a young man came to ear. "Who's there?" A man- oh no, no, no, no... My breathing became laboured and I stumbled a bit. I reached for the wall at the side and leaned against it. I closed my eyes and focused on the oxygen coming into my lungs and the carbon dioxide leaving them. The footsteps echoed in the ominous alley as they moved. I didn't know where they were moving to but I hoped they went away, that they went in the opposite direction to me.

The man's voice sounded again, "Hello? Anyone there? Come out! Don't make me drag you out!" He shouted and I jumped, not feeling any better. His angry tone helped close to none with my panicking. The stomping stopped and I somehow managed to hold my breath for a second then continued to panic. The anxiety wouldn't let me breath!

A hand forcefully grabbed my shoulder and pushed me against the wall I was already leaning on. Ouch. My shoulder blade hit the wall painfully, and my punishment from sir and my sickness did not help. I flinched harder than earlier, wanting nothing more than to run. Just run. And so I tried to do just that. I ran. I ducked from the hold this stranger had on me and sprinted. Well tried to, at least.

As soon as I moved away from him, he managed to pull me back towards him within an instant. I tried to scream but he covered my mouth with his hand. I squirmed and flailed my arms viciously, desperate to escape. I hit him and stomped on his foot continuously. "Calm down niña. Calm down." He whispered to me. Niña? Was he Spanish? The only other person who called me that was that mysterious dude I was texting-

He released me slightly when I calmed and he took his hand away from my mouth. Once out of reach I took a deep breath, panting with my hands on my knees. After a minute or two I looked up to see a face scanning mine. He looked at me with confusion and curiosity. "I'm so sorry, I didn't know you were a kid." He frowned. He genuinely looked upset with himself but I can't let that fool me. He could have different intentions for all I know.