Taken

Chapter 14

LACEY

September 9, 2013 8:30 a.m.

"Lacey, why is it your fault that Rikki got kidnapped?" asked Bailey. Lacey didn't say anything. "Lacey, earth to Lacey, what happened that made Rikki's kidnapping your fault?"

"Remember the day Rikki told us about that creepy janitor? Well, I was the one that led the creepy janitor to her! I bet he's the one that kidnapped her and Adam! How could I do this to her?" Lacey shouted as she started to sob.

"Lacey, it's not your fault," said Tanya as she tried to calm Lacey down.

"Yes it is!" yelled Lacey.

"No, it's not your fault. There's no way you could've known that the janitor was going to kidnap Rikki. It's really not your fault," said Lance.

Lacey wiped away her tears as she said, "Well, I guess you guys are right. I couldn't have known that the janitor was bad news, but I still feel really bad."

"It's okay, Lacey. Rikki's strong, so she'll find a way to come back to us," said Taylor.

The bell rang.

"Well, I guess we'd better get to class. I'll see you guys during math," said Bailey as she headed toward the science hallway with Taylor.

"See ya," replied Lance, Zayn, Lacey, and Tanya as they headed toward the English and Ag hallways.

"What can I do, Taylor? What can I do to help Rikki?" asked Bailey as tears started to form in her eyes.

"I don't know, Bailey, I really don't know," replied Taylor softly as he put his arm around Bailey and held her close.

"We'd better get to class," said Bailey as she wiped her eyes.

"Are you all right?" asked Taylor.

"I don't know, Taylor. I guess I'll have to be," Bailey replied.

"We'll find a way to get them back. Don't worry," reassured Taylor.

"I hope you're right," sighed Bailey.

***

"What can we do guys? How can we get Rikki back?" asked Tanya as she and the others headed to their first-hour classes.

"Wait a minute, Lacey, do you remember what the janitor looked like?" asked Zayn.

"Yeah, I guess, why?"

"Maybe you could tell the police what he looked like, and they'll be able to find him!" said Zayn excitedly.

"You're a genius, Zayn!" gushed Tanya as she hugged her boyfriend.

"I say that as soon as school's over, we go to the police station and tell them about this janitor creep," Lance said.

"Yeah, at lunch we can tell Bailey and Taylor so they can come with us, too," added Lacey.

"Okay, right after school, let's meet at my van," said Zayn.

"Aww man, not the Big Pumpkin," moaned Lance.

"Hey, my van may be crap, but it's the only vehicle that will fit all of us plus our stuff since the rest of you have Chargers and Mustangs," defended Zayn.

"Whatever, Zayn, that van of yours is still crap, but I guess you do have a point. Okay, right after school, we'll all meet at the Big Pumpkin and head to the police station," said Lance.

"Sounds like a plan," said Lacey.