Lenore almost had everything she wanted.
In just a few short months, she'd graduate early from high school, start an internship at her father's new startup in San Francisco, and then head off to college in the fall on a full scholarship. Everything...
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The world ground to a stop for Lenore. Despite the shocked whispers echoing throughout the class, only empty silence throbbed in her ears. It felt like she had been plunged into icy water, deep below the surface where no light or sound could reach.
Victor was... missing.
Missing.
How could that be?
She had just seen him! She watched him wave to her before he walked into the forest. The walk-through should have been short and simple. He had even texted her on his way home.
So how could he be...
Slowly, the chatter around her began to sneak into her thoughts. Lenore realised Mr Patterson had kept on speaking while she sat there, reeling, and now she was lost. She looked around, trying to get her bearings, but everywhere she looked were eyes staring back at her.
Her breath quickened. Everything—her clothes, the air, her skin—felt too tight, restricting around her. Her heart thrummed, and she clawed at her chest like she might be able to free the frantic, fluttering thing within.
I'm going to get blamed for this, aren't I?
For the first time, Lenore truly understood why her aunt had run.
There was a knock at the door, and everyone turned to look, finally tearing their eyes away from her. Lenore turned, too. Some part of her hoped that this was all some sort of misunderstanding and it would be Victor at the door. In her mind, she pictured him, sleepy-eyed, walking in and apologising for being late before stopping to wonder why everyone was so upset...
Of course, it wasn't him. Instead, it was a stern-faced officer, the same one she'd made eye contact with earlier in the hall. Now she understood the look he'd given her...
Suspicion.
She looked away and closed her eyes, though she could guess what was going to come next...
Mr Patterson breezed through the rows of students and headed for the door. After fumbling with his keys, he unlocked the door and greeted the officer. The two of them kept their voices low as they spoke, though Lenore was close enough that she could hear everything they said.
"I need to speak with one of your students," the officer said.
Lenore squeezed her eyes tighter. She dug her nails into the palms of her hand, hoping the pain would wake her from this nightmare.
"Of course, whatever you need," Mr Patterson said, in an eager, helpful tone that she'd never heard him use before. "Who do you want?"
"Lenor—"
"Sorry," a new voice interjected. "Can I get through?"
"No you may not," Mr Patterson grumbled. "We're in the middle of a conversation. And anyway, you're late," he practically spat the word, "so you can go collect a tardy slip from the office."
