Ashlyn
It feels like forever since I pressed the panic button, and I have no idea if anyone even knows. My classroom is at the back of the school, far from the main entrance, and I can’t hear any sirens. Maybe no one is coming.
We’ve never had to use the panic alarm before, thank God, but as the minutes stretch on, I start to wonder if it even works.
If no one’s coming, I have to find a way out myself.
I sit in silence, watching Eddie lay out the food he brought. He arranges everything meticulously like this is just a normal day. My stomach churns at the sight of it. For all I know, he could have poisoned it.
“Eddie,” I say cautiously.
He looks up, his hands pausing mid-motion.
“I need to use the bathroom,” I say, forcing my voice to stay steady as I rise from behind my desk. “I’ll be right back.”
His expression darkens as he straightens to his full height, stepping in front of me.
“I don’t think so,” he snaps. “Sit.”
I flinch at his tone but don’t back down. “Eddie, please. I really need to go.”
He exhales sharply like I’m inconveniencing him. “Fine. But I’m coming with you.”
Before I can react, his fingers clamp around my arm, digging in hard enough to make me wince. He yanks me toward the door, dragging me into the hallway. He moves fast, and I stumble, barely managing to stay on my feet.
The nearest bathroom is just down the hall. He shoves the door open and throws me inside. I hit the cold, tiled floor hard, pain shooting through my wrist as tears sting my eyes.
“Go on then,” he says, smirking as he gestures to the stalls. “I thought you had to pee?”
I push myself up, biting back a cry as pain flares through my wrist.
“I think you broke my wrist,” I say, tears slipping down my face.
Eddie laughs, but there’s no humor in it. “I didn’t break your wrist, Ashlyn. You did that. I love you, remember?”
Pain and fear twist into something sharper. Anger.
Before I can second-guess myself, I lunge at him, pounding my good hand against his chest. The attack catches him off guard, and he stumbles back.
I don’t hesitate. I spin and sprint for the hallway, my heart hammering. The main entrance isn’t far. I just have to make it outside.
I don’t get the chance.
A sharp yank on my hair jerks me backward, ripping a scream from my throat. Pain explodes across my scalp as Eddie drags me, my feet barely touching the ground. Tears blur myvision as he hauls me back into the classroom and slams the door shut behind us.
“Why are you trying to get away from me, Ashlyn?” Eddie asks, his voice eerily calm. “I’m better than Ben Murphy, you know. I won’t make you sad like he does.”
I freeze.
“No, you just break my damn arm!” I snap.
His hand slams down on a desk with a loud crack, making me jump.
“I. Did. Not. Break. Your. Arm,” he growls, his fists balling as he presses them against his forehead again.
“Okay, okay. I’m sorry,” I say quickly, forcing my anger down. I can’t set him off again.
Just like that, he relaxes. The sudden shift makes my stomach turn; he’s completely disturbed. I always thought he was just a shy recluse. How wrong I was.
