"Hey, Sarah! Wait up!"
I turned to see Danielle running up to me from inside the school. I quickly rubbed my hand over my eyes to hide the evidence that I had been crying. Danielle stopped in front of me and opened her arms. I stepped into them and the dam that I had been fighting burst open and I started to cry again.
"I can't take it anymore. They're always there, teasing me, hurting me. I just want it to all go away." I said to Danielle.
"It will. I'll make sure it gets better. I'll make the bad guys go away."
It was amazing how I felt safe and comforted in those words. If I had known what would happen next, I would never have had said anything. My tears dried up and I went home with the excuse that I was too sick to continue class. I didn't want to face the bullies who had pushed me to the extremes. I was always continuously watched so I wouldn't cause myself harm again. Danielle didn't come home that night or the day after. I started to worry. She had never been out this long before. I went to the school and asked if they had heard from her. I found out nothing. I called her friends to no avail. I checked out her usual spots to hang around. Nothing. The whole time I was searching for her I was calling her mobile but all I got were voicemails. After a long day of searching for Danielle, I fell asleep on the couch and woke up to the news.
"6 teenagers were found dead early this morning after complaints from neighbours about disturbances in the house of the deceased. Police have revealed that there were signs of a fight amongst the teenagers prior to their deaths. If anyone can give any information of this crime please contact crime stopper."
Three minutes later the phone rang next to me.
"Hello. My name is Constable Lee. May I please speak to the guardians of Danielle Chris?"
A police constable ringing here? Could he have any information about Danielle?
"This is Diane Chris speaking. How may I help you?" I replied.
I realise that using my mother's name may be a mistake, but if it helped me to find Danielle, then I would do anything.
"We have tragic news for you Mrs Chris regarding your daughter Danielle Chris. She was found dead this morning along with 5 other teenagers who had also died of bullet wounds. We're very sorry Mrs Chris."
I couldn't reply. I imagined Danielle's face in my mind; her kind, dark brown eyes, her long black hair and her caramel latte coloured skin. Danielle couldn't be dead. It was impossible. I put down the receiver and ran to her room. I looked over to her dresser. There was a note written in Danielle's untidy scrawl.
