They broke into my locker.
They planted the note and texted my mom.
Oh my God!
This was not a last-minute prank. It is clear they have been planning this for a while.
The bile in my stomach burns. I break into a cold sweat and my heart races. For the first time in my life, I know what it is like to be truly terrified.
How could they be so cruel?
Do they hate me that much to leave me here all night, without heat, food, water, or a freaking bathroom? Sure, I can survive without the food and water, but eventually, I’m gonna have to go to the bathroom. And really, how long are they planning on leaving me here? What vile individuals do such a thing? I can’t stop my tears now as they push their way through. I can’t be brave anymore. I have no more fight left in me. I lay my head on the desk and sob.
Several hours go by. I really don’t know how many. I refuse to look at my watch because it will only make me obsessed about the time and how long I’ve been here. Through the window, I see it is completely dark outside, and I’m guessing it’s close to midnight.
I’m hungry. Usually I keep a snack in my backpack, but I didn’t grab one this morning.This morning.Seems like it was forever ago. I remember I was running late and was afraid to miss the bus. That’s why there isn’t a granola bar or crackers in my bag.
I have to pee. There is no way I will be able to hold it until morning. I look around the storage room and find and old bucket lying in a far corner. It’s dirty and filled with spider webs. I take one of the torn pieces of cloth sticking out of one of the boxes and wipe out the inside. That’s all I need is for a spider to crawl out of there and onto me. I grab another cloth, one that looks relatively clean. I pull up my skirt, pull down my underpants, and squat over the bucket. When I’m done, I wipe myself with the clean cloth.
It is amazing how much we take for granted, like food, water, and a bathroom. If I ever get out of this room, I swear I will think of those things with reverence.I’m tired.
I look around the room and realize there is nothing to sleep on. I grab several cloths from the same box as before and walk back to the desk. I’m guessing these cloths must be old kitchen towels and rags. After placing them on the desktop, I sit back down and proceed to lay my head on the cloths. They smell, but it is better than lying on the hard desk. I try to think of a better time, a time when my dad was still alive and I was at my old school with my friends. That seems like such a lifetime ago. Before I know it, I’ve fallen asleep.
***
I’m lost in a sleepy state with dreams flashing through my mind. One minute I am free of this room, another I am telling my mom about what Carter did and nobody believes me. My last thought is wishing I were powerful enough to get back at all of them. I want to make them pay.
“Malia!”
“Malia, wake up!”
Someone is yelling at me.Who is yelling at me?Is it my mom?Am I home?Oh my, this was nothing but a horrible nightmare!It wasn’t real!I quickly open my eyes and realize that no, it wasn’t a nightmare. It was real, and I am still locked in the God-awful storage room.
“Malia! It’s about time! I’ve been trying to wake you up for the last fifteen minutes!”
Someone is in here with me?
I turn toward where the voice is coming from, and standing before me is a very old man. I swear he looks like he is over a hundred years old. And well, he sorta glows.Okay, so now I know I must be dreaming.
“Malia, I don’t have much time.”
I close my eyes again because I know I’m dreaming.
“Malia, open your eyes. We must talk.”
I open my eyes, and he is still there. “Who are you?”
“Oh, dearie, I am the man who is going to make your life so much better.”
“You are?”
He nods.
“And do you have a name?”
“Never mind my name for now.” His voice is eerie and borderline creepy, and if I wasn’t so relieved that someone was here with me and my chances of getting out of here weren’t looking up right now, I would probably be scared of him. “I’ve come to make you a deal.”
“What sort of deal?”
