"Good job, as usual."
"Thanks, Mr. Ackerman."
I bit my lip as I descended from the stage of the whiteboard, having presented my poem to the class. Armin smiled at me as I sat down in my desk next to him, as usual.
"That was really good, Eren!"
I whispered a thanks, and turned my attention back to Mr. Ackerman. If one didn't pay attention in his class, it would be the last thing he would do. He wasn't a particularly strict teacher, but if you didn't know what he was talking about, you were done for. It wouldn't be surprising if Mr. Ackerman had a case of OCD to go with his intimidating air. He would forbid snacks in the Language Arts classroom for the fear of crumbs being left on the desks; students were forbidden from drawing on the desks; the doors to the classroom were to be kept closed at all time; or if one sat on the desks, they would face a great (currently unknown) danger.
On second thought... Mr. Ackerman could probably be considered a strict teacher.
"There's a poetry competition coming up soon, taking place at this school. If any of you brats want to audition for it, then go to the music room at lunch on Thursday."
Mr. Ackerman's narrowed eyes scanned the room. I felt an unfamiliar and surprising pang as his eyes rolled over me. Was it fear? Yes… it most likely was. Mr. Levi Ackerman was a pretty scary person.
The bell rang, or rather, buzzed.
"That concludes today's class. Pack up and leave."
Finally, the day was over. Mondays really were the longest day of the week. Or at least, it felt like that.
"Eren," Armin poked my shoulder to get my attention, "The squad was going to go to Connie's house today. You coming?"
"Oh," I frowned, trying to recall my schedule back at home. I had nothing to do today, but I didn't feel like going to Connie's house. So I half-assed an excuse, "I'm a bit busy today, so I won't be able to make it. Sorry!" I grinned at the end, secretly hoping I got through to him.
And I did. The small pout on Armin's face was undeniably cute, and that was coming from me; I was straighter than a ruler. I laughed and patted his shoulder in mock remorse.
"Well… I've gotta go, Armin." I stood up abruptly, rattling the desk slightly. " See you tomorrow!"
He waved a silent goodbye, packing up his notebook.
I sighed happily as I made my way through the congested hallway. Typical high school. There was never any walking room after last period, let alone at lunch. I usually didn't even bother going to my locker at lunchtime for my health's sake. I would just head to the coffee shop down the street with the squad. But there was no choice when it came to after school. There was no choice but to shove through the crowd now.
As I neared my locker, I noticed a very agitated-looking Jean at his.
"Locker problems?" I had to yell over the sound of stampeding high schoolers.
"Shut up, Eren!" He growled right back at me. "We're all heading to Connie's house today; you gonna show up this time?"
"Ah, no." I declined, waving my hand in front of my face. "Busy."
"...Ok, well see you later…"
"Bye, Horseface."
He was too deaf to hear me as he roughed his way out through the crowd.
Sometimes I wonder how Jean and I even became friends.
I haphazardly grabbed a binder from my locker and stuffed it in my backpack, not caring what subject it was for. I had no homework, but I simply needed to show my dad that I was doing work. Suddenly feeling impatient, I pushed through the crowds after locking my locker. Sometimes it could get seriously irritating to have to struggle your way throughout the school hallways.
Shoving open the heavy doors to the exit, I took a deep breath of fresh air. Who knew being caught in the crowd could make you so claustrophobic!
"Eren, are you going home?"
I felt a tap on my shoulder. I already knew who it was before turning around.
"Yes, Mikasa. Text me what time you're gonna get home so I can tell Dad." I sighed dramatically and pinched the bridge of my nose. Dad's gonna be pissed.
"Ok. See you tomorrow, Eren."
I was walking before she could finish her sentence. I waved a hand, acknowledging her as I put in my earbuds. There was a bus stop near the school, and I hadn't brought my bike, so I headed in that direction. I had some extra change, anyway.
(‿ˠ‿) ԅ(≖‿≖ԅ)
As I stepped off the bus, I immediately knew something was wrong. I didn't recognize where I was. Had I taken the wrong bus? Pulling out a single earbud, I looked around. Indeed, I didn't know where I was. Looking behind me, I realized that the bus had left as well. Taking a few steps away from the road, I sat down on a bench. I checked my phone, wondering if I should call someone.
Shit.
It was dead.
I took a deep breath as panic bubbled in my chest, threatening to boil over. Trying to calm myself, I took my head in my hands. There was no use panicking. I needed to keep cool.
I assessed my situation. I was alone, in an only slightly crowded area. There was a busy road beside me. The streets were lined with shops. That meant I was most likely in downtown somewhere. Had I fallen asleep on the bus? No… I wasn't sitting down, that was impossible. I had just taken the wrong bus, then. My phone was dead, so there was no means of communication. I would just have to use someone's phone to call Mikasa or something.
I stood up, building up the courage to ask someone to borrow a phone. The problem was, everyone was so… unapproachable. They either looked like drug dealers, or super-rich businessmen. There was no sign of someone my age. I pouted slightly, grabbing my backpack and heading towards the nearest shop.
"Hey, kid."
I turned around instinctively. Sure enough, he was looking at me. He was neither businessman nor homeless. He looked just like a regular guy- a good guy.
"You looked a little lost… Need a lift?"
My mouth went dry. My parents had told me to never accept an offer of this sort.
"U-uh, no thanks…" I shook my head, "I'll figure it out, thanks."
I offered a smile, and he laughed loudly.
"Oh sorry! I must have sounded so creepy! A stranger just coming up to you and asking you if you wanted to get into his car!" He chuckled, running a hand through his hair. "Sorry!"
I awkwardly laughed along with him, half wanting him to leave, while the other half of me wanted to get that ride.
"C-could I borrow your phone? I just need to make a phone call."
He faltered, but only slightly. I thought nothing of it.
"Oh yeah," He pointed behind him with his thumb, "I just left it by my bag, by that coffee place there. D'you just wanna follow me there?"
I didn't even hesitate. I nodded, following his lead as he walked casually down the street. I looked around, taking the time to calm myself down. To my right, there was a scrapbooking store, ahead there was a bookstore, behind me there was the bus stop and a small police station. I frowned; hadn't he said that his phone was by the coffee shop? I stopped, searching for the coffee shop that he was referring to.
"Hey kid, what's wrong?"
My eyes went wide, and I shook my head, indicating it was nothing. He came closer to me, scowling. My heart lurched and I took a step backwards.
"You realized, didn't you." He growled at me, and I bit back a yelp. Shit. I should have known. What do I do now?
The unnamed man grabbed my forearm and dragged me towards his car.
"S-stop! I just remembered w-what bus I need to take!"
He smirked viciously and tightened his grip on my wrist before replying.
"That's alright, kid. I can just drive you home."
I yanked my arm, and gasped when his iron grip didn't let go. I felt my cheeks heating up as I resisted the man.
"I-I'll call my parents!"
He still didn't falter; in fact he began to chortle as he dragged me.
"Your phone is dead, you liar."
He unlocked his white car with tinted windows. I yanked my arm back the moment he loosened his grip to open the door. This time I succeeded. I didn't hesitate to start backing away. He looked at me with menacing eyes. I bit the inside of my cheek to contain a small sob.
"If you run, I'll never let you go," The man smirked when I froze, "I'll follow you home. You won't be safe at school, for I'll be there, watching you. You are never gonna be alone, because I'll be outside your window. I'll show up again when you least expect it." He took a threatening step towards me, "You'd better get in this car, if you know what's good for you, kid."
It was over. I could either get in the car and do what he wants, or be paranoid for the rest of my life. Was I kidding myself? It's not like I even had a choice to begin with. He probably had his eyes on me the moment I stepped off that bus. Still, I took a step back. I didn't want to do this.
The man laughed as he noticed my internal conflicts beginning to show on my expression. He once again grabbed my arm and dragged me into the car, met with little resistance on my part.
He walked around the car and sat in the driver's seat, pulling the door shut behind him.
"We're gonna have so much fun together."
Then it all turned black.
