CHAPTER 21 - BEATRICE
I decided to stay late after school to finish my homework at the library. Afterwards, I would walk home to clear my head a little. At least I only live a few blocks from school.
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I walk home with two other people. A younger girl in her Freshman year I recognize who almost looks like me. She is thin and tall with beautiful golden curls and sharp hazel eyes. She has an older brother my age, Robert. I think he liked me last year before he realized Tobias and I were best friends. Susan Black nods politely at me as we walk home.
A boy I recognize from my Math class walks a few steps behind us. He has green eyes and reddish - orange hair. He is built like Tobias, muscular and strong, but has a mean personality. His name is Peter Hayes. He hangs out with Drew and Molly at lunch.
I wave good bye to Susan as she walks up her driveway. There is still another block to walk before I make it home and Peter lives a block further down. We walk in silence.
"So… Beatrice, right?" Peter asks uncertainly.
"Yeah. Why do you ask Peter?" I scowl. He isn't exactly famous with my friends.
Peter shrugs innocently and pulls out his phone to text someone.
"No reason. Just wondering." Something doesn't feel right about his calmness. I pick up my speed, but Peter just keeps up with me. He still doesn't put his phone away and keeps glancing up at me. A blue van pulls around the corner in front of us and comes steadily down the street. Peter glances at the truck and puts his phone back into his pocket.
"I heard you met with Ms. Matthews today. What was that like?" Peter asks casually. I give him a suspicious glance and cross my arms across my chest. The van slows down by us.
"Nothing really special. She just wanted to talk about some things based on my brother. How do you know I met with her anyway?" Peter walks at my side now.
"Because she hired me to do some things for her. We're have an… understanding."
"Okay? Why are you telling me this?" The van stops right in front of us. Peter gets even closer. His eyes glint dangerously.
Van. Peter. Jeanine.
We have an… understanding.
Oh my God.
The door to the blue van opens to reveal two burly men with dark ski masks covering their faces. The each hold a coil of rope and a knife. I drop my bag into a bush and start to run. But Peter is right behind me and faster. He grabs my arm and yanks me back. I fall on my back and my head hits the cement sidewalk, hard. I didn't even scream.
Everything...
goes...
dark...