Chapter Thirty

Another Gone

Feeling massive disappointment, Louis Lockwood went outside the campus to ease himself. But it went worst when he caught his not-yet-officially-broke-up-girlfriend, Claire Summers, flirting with one of the popular guys in school and the Basketball captain – Cody Franklin.

A feeling of ‘wanna punch someone’ thundered on Louis’s head. He stepped on the school lawn and disgustedly stared them.

Cody and Claire were leaning on his black Chevrolet while Cody was tickling her.

“Oh, stop it,” Claire giggled. “I need to go.”

“Let’s hang out for a while,” Cody made a puppy-eye look.

Claire flirtatiously shook her head no and bit her lips. Then she started walking away.

Cody opened his car door. Before entering his car, he signalled Claire to call him. Claire blew a kiss in the air. Cody pretended that he caught the kiss from the air. Then, he started his engine and drives.

Louis thought that the flying kiss was corny. As he waited for Cody’s car to pass, he immediately approached Claire but she avoided him.

Louis finally yelled, “I’m doing this to protect you!”

Claire stopped. She turned to Louis with confusion. “What? Protect me from what, Louis?”

“It’s complicated,” Louis replied softly.

Claire rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. “It’s always complicated.” Then she continued walking away.

Louis came after her. “This is not good, Claire.”

“Oh! I’m so worried about you,” She mocked him.

“No,” Louis butted-in in a serious tone, “you should worry about yourself.”

Claire stopped. She turned to Louis and placed her hands on her waist. “Talk,” she demanded. “I’m listening.”

“Something might happen to you and our friends and even us. That’s why we’re doing something to protect you all,” Louis explained.

“Some kind of a superhero game, maybe?” Claire joked

“I’m serious!” Louis cried. Then, he glimpse around, “can we please talk somewhere safe? It’s too dangerous to talk here.”

“What’s the difference between here and there?” Claire cried.

“This is related to the killer,” Louis snapped. “Do you wanna get butchered early?  There’s a killer out there patterning his murders and you’re might be next!”

“How are you sure it’ll be me?” Claire asked.

“All of us need to be careful,” Louis cried. “Well, if you won’t cooperate, it’s up to you.” Then, he turned his back on Claire pretending that he does not care.

Claire was quite convinced and she stopped him as goose bumps came rushing on her bones. “Okay, let’s go to my house.”

Louis hopped in his Subaru with Claire. “You need to be apparent that you’ll be or I’ll be the next victim ‘cause none of us is safe now.”

As they were on the road, Louis thought that it was the perfect time to rekindle with Claire. He explained that they were being tormented by someone but he did not mention who this someone was. He might know the pseudonym but the real identity; he does not have a clue at all. And he added that their tormentor was after them and the one who’s close to them.

Because of his story, Claire thought that she will be next so she panicked. “I’m definitely next?”

“No… you’re not,” Louis spat. “I just need you to cooperate.”

“Okay,” Claire was looking at the house that they were passing and was very frightened.

 “I promise you,” Louis calmly said, “I will do anything to protect you.”

Then, the stoplight went red light. Claire heart sank. She unplugged her seatbelt and grabbed Louis. Their eyes met. Claire kissed him. Louis melted into her lips and their mouths started to open and they felt each other’s soft tongue.

Then, the light turned Green and they were still kissing. The car behind them honked to them and moved apart. Claire smiled at Louis and Louis did the same. Louis thought that the kiss might mean thank you and we’re back together.

“That’s a wrap,” Ismail called it for the day.

All of the dancers went home and only Ismail Ambani, Travis Becker, and Jade Anderson were left in the gym because they were still brainstorming for another routine that they will perform.

Suddenly, all the lights in the gym were turned off. Ismail thought that the assigned janitor might have accidentally turned the lights off.

“Hey! Will you please turn the lights back on again,” Ismail loudly asked, “because there are still people in the gym?”

No one responded. It was dim lighted but because of the ventilation windows above the walls, ray of lights entered.  

Travis started arranging his things. Jade started combing her wavy brunette hair.

“Sir,” Ismail yelled again, “kindly, turn the lights on again?”

Again, no one responded.

Travis thought that they were being pranked.

Jade suddenly felt uneasy. “I think we should go.”

Ismail followed his girlfriend’s suggestion. As they reached the gym doors, it was locked. Ismail pushed it but it was really locked. Someone might have jammed the door. They were locked in.

Ismail tried opening the door again. Jade used her iPhone to lighten the surroundings but the light was too small. Travis tried the other door but it was also locked.

Ismail and Travis decided to bang the doors and called for help. But it won't budge.

Jade got really scared.

Then, Ismail remembered that there was a door inside the men’s locker room so he led them to the men’s locker room. Jade was holding Ismail’s left arm and was really terrified.

As they’ve reached the exit, it was closed but it wasn’t locked so Ismail flung it opened and they all exited.

Travis was so relieved that they got out and then, he saw the janitor.

“Hey,” he yelled at the janitor, “why did you lock us in?”

“What?” The janitor was confused He was in his mid-forties with wrinkly face and sunburned skin. “What on shitty are you talking about? I was just about to lock the gym and I have not gone there yet.”

“Who would have locked us then?” Jade asked bitchily.

“I don’t know,” the janitor replied in a western voice. He quizzically stared how frightened they were. “Maybe it was the footballers! Or a GHOST!” He acted like one and laughed at his own joke.

“It’s not funny!” Jade said. “Come on boys, let’s go.”

Then, they started walking.

“Stupid janitor.” She whispered.

Suddenly, Ismail’s Sidekick buzzed. He shoved his hand in his JanSport backpack to see the message. He pressed Open.

Nice try jerks! It’s still not my best. Wait for it! –E

Ismail paused and he stared long at his phone.

“What’s wrong?” Jade asked.

Ismail looked at Travis referring that he received a text from E.

Travis understood the look.

Jade was confused. “Am I missing something here?”

Ismail quickly shook his head, “um no! It was just my mom.”

They will surely not wait for it.