Author's Note: Hey guys, 'Tis Catherine (not to be confused with Cat) so, I feel really inferior because Cat's been pumping out stories so fast that I just can't keep up. Partially because Cat has a bunch of stories saved up from before we got an account and partially because I take a little bit more time to write and edit my stuff, unlike some people *cough* Cat *cough* (luv ya!). So anyhoo, this is going to be a multi chapter fic...so hope you enjoy. There's a suprise at the end so...keep reading.

Disclaimer: I do not own Degrassi or it's characters. However I do own my story, my soul, and some really big spoons :)

"Clare," I hear an oh-so familiar voice from behind me. "Clare, wait up,"

"Hi," he says, casually draping his arm around my shoulders.

"Hi there," I grin up at him. That seems to be all the communication we need as we walk down the hall to English class. Eli has only been my boyfriend for the past four months, but I already feel so connected to him; like we understand each other without words. I couldn't feel happier or safer when he's holding me. It feels right. This is where I am supposed to be: walking down the hall to English class with Eli's arm draped around me.

"Hey Adam," I say when we get to English class and I see him sitting in his usual spot, right next to where Eli and I sit.

"Hey, lovebirds," He rolls his eyes, but smiles. "Do you two ever separate?"

"Nope," Eli says. I laugh and we both sit down in our seats making sure to keep our hands still linked.

"I am assuming we all did the assigned reading and wrote our essays on the symbolism behind JD Salinger's Catcher in the Rye." Mrs. Dawes says placing a stack of papers down on her desk.

I dutifully produce mine from my bag and hand it to her as she walks by each desk. She stops at Eli's

"Well, you see, Ms. Dawes, my Grandmother recently passed away and my family is going through a really tough time. So, the essay really seemed unimportant in our time of despair."

"I'm very sorry to hear that Eli, you can get the essay to me as soon as your despair subsides." She continues walking. I wonder if she really believes him or just feels obliged to at least maintain the appearance of being sympathetic when a student speaks of dead relatives.

I shoot Eli a look.

"What? My Grandmother did pass away. Three years ago, but who's counting? And I did read the book. I quite enjoyed it. I just find essay writing to be…tedious."

"You're so going to hell." Adam whispers.

"Yup, so might as well live it up while I'm here." He smirks, leans back in his chair and folds his hands behind his head.

I can't help but laugh.

"Clare? " Mrs. Dawes says, looking at me reprimandingly.

"Sorry." I say quickly hiding my smile.

The rest of the period continues without anymore mishaps. When the bell rings Eli pops out of his seat.

"I'll walk you to history," He says, taking my hand. Throughout all of history and Chem after that I look forward to seeing Eli again at lunch. When third period is finally over I all but skip over to the lunchroom. I grab a tray and get in line, but I don't see Eli. I take an apple, a slice of pizza, and a bottle of water and go to sit at our usual table.

"Hey," Adam greets me in between bites of pizza.

"Where's Eli?" I ask, starting to be concerned.

"No 'Hey Adam, how are you?'" He says in a falsetto imitation of my voice.

"He's always here at lunch." I sit down next to him.

"I'm good Clare, how are you?'"

I sigh. "Sorry Adam, so how are you?"

Eli doesn't show up for the rest of lunch and I keep looking around anxiously. Maybe I'm just being paranoid, but it's not like Eli to miss an opportunity to be with me…and to eat.

"Anxious much, Clare?" Adam asks.

"Where is he?" I say, abandoning any previous pretenses.

"I don't know, maybe some teacher finally called him out on one of his BS homework excuses and sent him to detention."

"Maybe, but Adam I don't know…I have this feeling…like something's really wrong."

"Wow, you guys really can't bear to be separated." He teases.

When I don't respond and continue to stare at my food he adds, "Clare, I'm sure that he's fine."

"You're probably right." I say, but I whip out my phone and quickly sent him a text.

Eli, where r u? I miss u.

-Clare

When the rest of my classes are over I go to the spot where I usually meet Eli after school: right by the steps in the hallway. But he's not there. I wait for fifteen minutes before I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket. The text is from Eli and I quickly press the view now button. My heart skips a beat when I read the message:

Your little boyfriend isn't going to be driving you home today.

Check his car for a surprise.

I gasp and cover my mouth with my hand. Eli, this better not be a joke, I think. But even though I know this isn't any type of game. I start walking swiftly to the parking lot. By the time I'm half way there I find myself running and then sprinting to morty. I stop suddenly when I see it. My body shakes as I circle it slowly, pausing before I talk each step. The windows are all a dark red color. Some of the spray paint had dripped down the side of the car leaving what looked like newly formed trailers of blood. On the windshield there was a single word in big capital letters:

DIE

I feel my phone vibrate again and reach a shaking hand into my pocket. The screen says incoming call from Eli. But by now, I know it won't be him. I click the answer button and press the cold metal object to my ear. The voice I hear is low and male and completely unfamiliar. It seems to echo even as it speaks.

"My, my, my, little Clare Edwards," The voice says, "We have him, but, if you cooperate, we're willing to make a compromise."

I already feel tears begin to slip down my face like the trails of fake blood on the car.

"Crying already Ms. Edwards?" The voice laughs a cold, humorless sound. "I'd save the tears for later. You're in for a long journey and this won't be the last time you cry. Remember, we have him at our mercy, and if you do not cooperate we will punish him."

I fall to my knees on the asphalt.

"Get up Clare," It sneers.

They can see me, I thought. I whip my head around, frantically searching for the source of the voice. I see high school students and teachers, people talking on cell phones, but none of them seem to be the voice.

"Yes Clare, we're watching you. Good luck finding us though. Now unless you want to hear his screams, do as I say. Get into the car."

I whimper. They have Eli. My beloved. What choice do I have? I stand up and take three slow strides to the driver's seat door and get in.

"Good Clare,"

God, I hate the way it says my name; like it's dirty.

"The keys are in the glove compartment. Take them out, and put them in the ignition."

I hesitate. Is he really going to make me drive? I don't have a license and I've never driven a car in my life. Then I realize. What if they don't really have Eli? What if this is all a hoax? But I had waited to long.

"Clare, do as I say,"

I see a small video camera by the rearview mirror. I lift my hand to take it down and smash it, but then I hear the scream. It is long and piercing and unmistakably Eli's. My Eli. I'm crying now and the tears won't stop. The screaming continues for four more heartbeats. When it stops I hear the cold voice again.

"Clare, do as I say,"

I remove the keys from the glove compartment and place them in the ignition

"Good Clare, you're learning to listen."

I finally find my voice, but it comes out as a sob, a cry. "Please, stop, let him go!"

I hear the laugh again and I shudder. "Now. Drive."

I don't know how to, but I have no choice. I breathe in and try to recall everything I know about driving. I buckle my seatbelt, knowing that I'm going to need it. II pull the clutch back into reverse and press down and the gas. The car jerks backward and I let out a scream.

The voice continues without hesitation. "Leave the parking lot and make a right."

I do as the voice says, putting the car in drive and turning the wheel. I almost crash into a tree and let out another scream. Focus, Clare I tell myself. I successfully get out of the Degrassi parking lot and make a right.

"Now, left." It says when I reach an intersection.

My heart is beating so fast and hard that it feels like my rib cage may break. My knees are shaking, but I obey. It continues on like this. The voice commands and I obey for three more turns. I seem to be in the back roads and there are woods on either side of the car.

"Drive into the woods." It says.

There is no barrier between me in the woods, but the trees are so densely packed that I know driving into the woods will risk my life. I think of Eli. My perfect Eli. Wherever he is and I know that if I don't do as the voice says he will die. As soon as I see a clearing large enough for the car to fit through I make a sharp turn and slam on the brakes, stopping inches before a very sturdy-looking tree.

"Further."

I obey, navigating further through the woods around trees until I am far enough in so that no one will be able to see the car from the road.

"Now stop."

I put more pressure on the breaks and come to a clean stop. I let out my breath, not realizing that I had been holding it in.

"Listen very carefully Clare. As soon as I hang up you are going to get out of this car and go very far away from here. You are not going to tell anybody about today's events. If you do, we will know and he will die. I will be speaking to you again very soon Ms. Edwards." And with that the line goes dead.

As if in a trance I continue to obey the voice. I step out of the car and put my phone in my pocket. I walk. And walk. I can finally see the road and I begin to sprint. The last thing I see before the world goes back is a face that has forever been imprinted on my mind. The one from the picture in Eli's room. Dark hair. Dark makeup.

Julia.

So I have an idea of where this is going. The more reviews I get the more I'll post. So, review (cause it will make me really happy!:)

Thanks for reading!