Ch. 45: The Dark Hall
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
I froze. Glancing around I could see the backs of Lucy and Elizabeth’s heads up ahead. But no one else was around. I stepped back, but his hand caught my wrist. The same warm, clammy skin grabbing hold of me took me right back to my nightmare and I tried to push against him, push him away. All I ended up doing was giving him my other hand which he held on his chest.
He leaned forward.
“Walk with me,” he hissed inches from my face.
My skin crawled. I tried to push, to yell. But my body wouldn’t cooperate and my mouth wouldn’t even open. It was stronger than yesterday. I was weaker than yesterday. I tried to stay firmly where I was, I didn’t want to walk with him anywhere!
“Hurry, Rachel,” he whispered, “Don’t make me lose my patience.”
His eyes glowed, a red ring appearing. It flickered.
He tugged me along and my body went with him, despite my every atom trying to pull away. Where were we going? Wouldn’t someone come walking around here and see him? Why hadn’t I been paying more attention in class to notice we were packing up?
I tried to stop and only managed to slow down some. If I could get any control back at all I would be one step closer to freedom.
He tugged on my wrist harshly, grip digging into me further. Bruising me for sure. I looked around in panic, hoping for anything, anyone to distract him so I could take off.
Instead I was pulled into an outer hallway. I didn’t have any classes in here but I did recognize it as the one indoor hallway other than the one connecting the staff offices. I reared back in my mind, compelling my body to listen to me, but all I did was manage to hold still for a second before he yanked me and I stumbled forward. He caught me and now most of our bodies were touching. Like an unwanted hug by a snake. I was completely repulsed but couldn’t do anything. I felt my phone buzzing but couldn’t make my hand move to grab it.
He opened the door and pulled me through, then slammed me gruffly against the wall. I hit my head and my eyes watered from pain. I couldn’t cry out, and as much as I had the impulse to check for blood with my hand, it wouldn’t lift. He closed the door shut slowly behind him after checking to look for people. Yes, please, someone see him! But the door closed.
The hall was lit but by dull, outdated lighting, and the whole place just seemed way too private. I heard little moans from somewhere far down and my eyes darted in that direction. Another person! Please help!
Vance leaned against me, pinning me to the wall as I tried to shake my head in a ‘no.’ My eyes were the only things I was able to control, and I tried to beg him to let me go with them but he just sneered. I felt his breath on my lips and I tried not to cry. I could only control my eyes, and I needed to see, I couldn’t risk clouding my vision if I had any chance of escaping.
He slammed his fist next to my head, making me blink frantically.
“Why are you still fighting me?” he whispered. “I enjoyed our little game, but it’s over now.”
My eyes watered and blinked furiously. I was mad at myself for reacting this way. I needed to fight. Another moan came from down the hall and my eyes strained trying to see something.
Vance chuckled, “Is that doing it for you?” he whispered, a droplet of spittle hitting my lower lip.
I trembled inside.
“We’ll listen, huh? Sounds like at least someone knows how to give in…” he added, voice light as a feather.
“Oh my god… mmmm…” a female voice carried from around the blind corner, “Yes, yes, right… right there,” she breathed out and gasped. “Ahhh…”
I knew what we were listening to. Or at least in general what we were listening to. We stayed still as the sounds of rustling clothing or bags carried down to us, then a few footsteps, followed by the sound of a door opening and clicking shut.
“Did you like that?” he pressed his body against mine harshly. “Wouldn’t you like to feel like that? I could make you feel like that..” he trailed off, fingers caressing my cheek, then tracing my mouth.
I wanted to vomit.
He leaned his mouth forward and his lips hovered mine for a split second, and then -
The fire alarm blared.
A door down the hall opened and heels clicked towards us.
“Da*nit!” he cursed under his breath.
He moved back two steps and suddenly I had full control of my body. I didn’t take more than a second to register that and shoved the doors open at full force before running.
The entire school was funneling out to the parking lots. I ran into the courtyard and caught Sean walking to the student lot with a group of others. I tried to follow but a teacher I didn’t know motioned me back.
“Other way! If you’re on this half we have to head to the main parking lot,” he yelled over the blaring alarm.
I nodded and pushed my way into the middle of the crowd. We all walked with purpose. I heard voices around me asking each other if they thought this was real. All I could think of was how grateful I was.
Outside I spotted Bella and she waved me over.
“Oh my God, Rachel!” She opened her arms to me for a hug. I hit her open arms with force and hugged. “Are you okay?” Her arms squeezed around me and I squeezed back.
Running to this super kind soul instantly reminded me of what I had just run from. After a moment I breathed in and backed up, sniffling.
“Hey,” she added softly, “I’m sure it’s going to be okay.” She kindly smiled and squeezed my shoulder softly.
I nodded. I knew I wouldn’t be able to tell her anything but holy hell did it feel good to stand next to someone so kind after what I had just experienced. What had happened. What might have happened if that alarm hadn’t saved me.
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