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Chapter 7

CHARACTER VIEWS DO NOT REPRESENT MY OWN. Please be civil in the comment section.

The thoughts that raced through my mind had no reasonable answers - at least, none that I could think of. Why was Irvin here? He didn't seem fazed by any of the terrified screaming or the murder of an innocent boy. Instead his eyes seek mine determinedly as if I was the only interesting person here. A chilling idea came to me: was Irvin following me? I had no proof of it but his appearance was too suspicious to strike off as a coincidence or anything normal.

I was unable to tear myself away from him as I, alongside the rest of the student body, were hoarded like sheep into the Assembly Hall.

Emotions were high, tension was unbearable and the cries of some of the students made me want to cower away. I didn't know what to do and I felt helpless.

Numbness burned inside of me, and I couldn't believe that Daryl was dead. He had been talking to me just a few hours ago. It was surreal. It wasn't the only emotion I was feeling, though, as the guilt that smashed through me was enough to knock me over and suddenly I felt unsteady. A teacher, who's name I didn't know, grabbed my arm, making my fall to the floor a lot steadier before moving on to help another student.

I had cursed Daryl. It never occurred me to that they would be the last words I would ever say to him. Just as I was thinking that maybe it was, in some awful way, my fault Daryl was dead, I remembered... "Seth!" I gasped out, standing up way too quickly and feeling slightly dizzy. I barged through the crowds of students, passing by with desperate, searching eyes.

The primary school students, though their school was adjoined with the college, finished for the day an hour before us college students. There was every chance he had already left but he did hang around, often in the library or in some club.

My phone was pressed to my ear, the ringing buzzing, as I passed Wilson. "Hey! Have you seen my brother? Wilson!"

Wilson shook his head, dazedly. "N-no, I don't know..."

I couldn't comfort him. My brother was more important so I passed only to pause a few seconds later. Seth picked up. "Hello?"

"Seth! Where are you? Are you okay?"

"Yeah, what's up? I'm at home. Why do you sound so wo-- where are you? Why can I hear police sirens?"

"Oh, thank God," I sunk to my knees, relief overcoming me. I clutched my phone tightly, closing my eyes. "Stay at home. Something's happened at college. I'll call you later, alright?"

"Yeah. Sure... You're safe, aren't you, Shay?"

"Yeah. Yeah, I'll - I'll be home soon," I had to hang up as the assistant headteacher, Mr. Newton called for attention, tapping the mike as he stood on the stage, shouting over the masses.

"Everyone, quiet! Now I understand this is frightening but you must remain calm. Getting all worked up will only add to the confusion. We're to remain in here until the police finish searching the grounds. No one can leave. Your parents will be called, but it is advised that you text or call them yourself to reassure them. If anyone has seen anything come forward now. Investigators will be coming in shortly and interviewing everyone. Unfortunately, you will all be searched: I want you all to form lines and go to one of the three teachers --" he pointed to the tables a history, English and Maths teacher sat at. "They will check your bags and if clear, will mark your hand. Are there any questions before we start?"

Immediately, hands flew up into the air and people began yelling.

"One at a time! Wait till I ask you... Jason?"