Gone

Chapter 7

September 3rd 7:30 Am

I walked through the doors of my school with my head down. I kept thinking about the letter I found this morning on the floor. The same imprint, the same handwriting and the same choices of words. Someone was watching me. Someone came into my room and watched me sleep as they put that letter on my floor. I couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching me now too.

I looked around the place while walking to my locker. Looking at the lounge where groups of kids would be talking to each other. I looked at the people making their way through the crowded hallways. But nobody seemed to be paying attention to me. I sighed in relief, still feeling uneasy, still feeling paranoid.

"Hey!" Someone said, putting their arm around my shoulder.

I jumped, startled. It was Katy with her hair pulled into a ponytail, wearing a purple blouse tucked into her jeans.

"Hi." I replied, smiling at her.

"You okay?"

"Why wouldn't I be?" I said, hoping that she wouldn't notice I was lying.

She shrugged, putting her right hand inside her pocket. "You look like you've seen a ghost."

"Anyway," changing the subject quickly before she asks another question. "What do we have this morning?"

"Art with Mrs Mayer then Math with Mrs Patterson."

"Cool." I said, sighing.

"Are you sure you're okay?" She said with a hint of concern in her eyes.

"Didn't sleep that well." I said, looking straight ahead.

"Happens to the best of us." She smiled.

9:00 Am, Art class.

We entered the classroom which was located in the second floor. The room was decorated with paintings, sculptures and other types of art. Tables were scattered around the rooms which means that we would be in teams for the whole school year.

"Let's go sit with Damien." Katy said, pointing at a table at the far end of the room where Damien was casually sitting at. I nodded, following her to the table.

Damien was sitting on a stool, earphones in his ears and his phone in his hands, oblivious to his surroundings. When we sat down next to him, he looked up with a smile and took off his earphones out of his ears.

"Hey." He replied, glancing at Katy then looking straight at me with a grin.

"Hi." I said, shyly while Katy takes out her phone without greeting him.

"Did you sleep well?" He asked, seemingly curious.

"Could've been better. You?"

"I slept like a baby."

"Ugh!" Katy moaned, looking at her phone in annoyance.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"I got a dentist appointment this afternoon."

Great. Katy has a dentist appointment in the afternoon which means she won't be with me for English class. Not only is it going to be boring but I'll have to face Mr Berry all by myself. I look at Damien nervously who's too busy checking something on his phone. I hate this. I'm contemplating on skipping this afternoon but my mom would be furious if she found out and I don't want to stress her more especially after the things she went through back at home. I might as well ask her even though I know the outcome. Her asking too many questions which leads up to a simple no and me being disappointed but not surprised.

I grab my phone out of my pocket but soon distracted by a text message from an unfamiliar number.

                                            ///

The teacher gave us an art project to do but I wasn't paying attention to things she said. The text message from that random number gave me the chills and I knew it was that person who left me that letter.

I kept pulling my phone out, staring at the text message, wondering what it meant and who's behind it. I was suspecting my English teacher. The way he looks at me, the words he uses, similar to the letters I received and the creepy vibe I get from him. But he's my English teacher and it would be weird for a teacher to act inappropriately towards students.

I sighed, looking at my blank sheet.

'It will be alright' I thought, grabbing a pencil out of my pencil case. 'Just ignore him when he asks to speak to you. Act like he's not even there.'

'Yeah, that's what I'll do.'

                                            ///

1:00 Pm, English class (last period)

I sat in front of the class next to an empty desk where Katy was supposed to be and placed my stuff on my desk.

Katy isn't here for me to distract myself from the fact that my English teacher is checking me out all the time, not only that but I feel out of place without her like I have nobody else to talk to.

Mr Berry wasn't here when I arrived, which was a complete relief. I could breathe for a minute without him acting inappropriately. I grabbed a sheet of paper out of my binder and started drawing. I've always been the artsy type. Drawing, painting and decorating my room with it. It always calmed me down. But it didn't last long when I felt a presence behind my shoulder.

"Nice drawing." A raspy but deep voice said, touching my shoulder.

I looked up and saw his blue eyes looking at me with a smile as he rubbed my shoulder slowly.

I moved away, smiling awkwardly at him, which didn't seem to please him.

"Thanks.." I replied, clearly uncomfortable but he didn't seem to notice.

He stood there for a second, still touching my shoulder with his smile but he eventually went in front of the class with his briefcase in hand and the other in his pocket.

"Good afternoon students. Sorry I'm late, I was at a meeting with other teachers."

                                             ///

The bell rang. Students started to get up and pack their bags while I was putting my pencils away in my pencil case in a hurry so I could get the hell out of this place, away from my English teacher who looked like he was still watching me with those blue eyes. I zippered my backpack and put the straps on my shoulders, walking away as I do so.

"Do you mind staying back for me, please? I need to ask you something." He said, getting up from his chair and walking at me with a smile.

I did what I told myself before, I ignored his question and went to open the door so I could leave but was soon stop by a hand pushing me against the wall. I looked up and saw him furrowing his brows in anger as both of his hands were holding my shoulder back.

He leaned his head towards me, close enough for me to smell his minty breath. I squirmed in pain as he started to slide his hand down on my thigh, smiling at me evilly.

"Let go of me!" I said as he brought his hand slowly up my private spot.

I squirmed and squirmed until I had enough. I spat on his face and kicked his private spot, making him scream in agony as he fell on the floor.

I ran out of the classroom towards the stairs, hearing him calling my name in anger as I run up the stairs towards the entrance, tears flowing down my cheeks.

"God, where are you Ian?" I sobbed, looking around like I'm crazy. "Where are you when I need you the most?"