Unknown

The Clock

I stayed awake the rest of the night with my light on and the door open.

Dad had left the hallway light as well as the rest of the house lights on.

The police left around 11pm and boarded up the windows with wood before they came around tomorrow to get a better inspection.

"Are you sure you want to go to school? You can stay home." Dad ushered, staring at me during breakfast. I nodded, "I don't want to be alone. Besides, I think it'll be good to be distracted today."

Dad nodded, "Okay, I'm gonna be home late again tonight though, I can come earlier though if you need-"

"Dad, it's okay. I'll probably hang out with my friends after school anyway. Do you mind if I invite a few of them over?" I asked. Dad shrugged, "I don't care."

I looked around, "Where's Rebecca?" I asked, "She left early. She's flying to Minnesota for a house viewing. She won't be back til tomorrow, why?"

I shook my head, "I just wanted to thank her."

Dad smiled, "Come on, don't want you to be late."

I got to school and nearly fell over while walking to my locker. I was so incredibly tired. I didn't get a single second of sleep. I was too paranoid to move, I stayed laying on my back until the sun came up.

"Hey." A voice said, tapping me on the shoulder. I jumped, only to realise it was Evelyn, "James told us what happened? Are you okay?" She asks, hugging me. I hugged her back. She smells like strawberries, "Yeah. I'm good. Just- scared."

She nods, "I can't believe that fucking psychopath broke into your house, what the hell?"

The bell rang mid conversation, "Come on, we have history."

I trudged alongside Evelyn as we made our way into history, Mason and James already seated in their usual spots.

I took my seat, wanting nothing more than to lay down and sleep.

"As you know-" Mrs Brickely started, "The trip to San Diego is next week. We will be visiting a history museum and doing a tour of San Diego. Those of you who are going, we leave at eight in the morning on Monday."

I groaned, that early? What the hell.

"For now, we will continue with our essays on your chosen topics."

The class was silent as fingers furiously typed on laptops. I stared at my screen, too freaked out and tired to even remember what I was doing.

Suddenly, my phone went off. And then Evelyn's, then Mason's, then James's.

I turned to Evelyn, who had a worried look on her face and then met the eyes of Mason and James, who looked equally as worried.

"Phones off guys, come on. You know the rules." Mrs Brickely said.

I turned off my ringer and glanced at the text, coughing on my water.

555-345-987
12 hours before cops are called
better get moving, before you take the fall.

What the? Another riddle?

Mason is typing...
What the actual fuck.

James
Guys we are screwed if we don't figure
out what's going on!!!!!

Mason
What does that even mean?

Evelyn
The note we got the other day said 911
would be involved if we didn't figure
it out!