Bloodlines

Anna

I stand in the hall and take photos of it. It's for a spread in the yearbook. The teacher wants me to capture the knowledge in an empty hall. I'm not quite sure how to to that, but I imagine putting something in the description like this: At Stone Creek the halls are dead silent. Even the rowdiest kids want to learn.

The teacher also said it could end up on the front of the paper. If I could get experience like that I'll make any caption that captures the knowledge.

I face the bulletin board that sits across from the bathroom. I put my camera to my eye when I spot one of the flyers. It says: EAT MY ASS. I tear it down and toss it in the bin before eyeing up the shot again. I take a few snaps of it.

I look at the photos on my way back to the room. I'm the only one that stayed after today. Ms. Brooks asked me specifically if I could do this. She knows about the National Geographic contest I entered. I'm sure Tristan would be with me if he were in the class. She likes to give everyone equal opportunities. Ben dropped the contest. He sent them an email the other day, asking them to not consider him.

"Hey, Mutt."

I ignore them and walk faster. Since the incident in the bathroom, things have escalated. They normally just call me a mutt but there's been a couple of times when they put their hands on me. I have a bruise on my shoulder from when one of the guys shoved me into a locker.

They always do it when Sara isn't around. I'm normally alone or with Ben. Ben can't even talk to Dean without wetting himself so he's not much help.

"Bitch, I'm talking to you."

I send them the finger and head down the stairs.

The scent is upon me in seconds. Two hands press into my back before I hurdle down the stairs. I tumble and knock my head on one of the steps. Something cracks.

My vision spots when I stop falling. My camera is no longer around my neck. I can't focus on the East Wolves but I soon hear the patter of their feet as they run away.

My head spins. It takes me a few minutes to pull myself together. I ache when I push myself into a sitting position. I lean against the bars. Blood spreads across my lips. My pants have a tear in them and my knee bleeds. I touch my hairline and blood specs my fingers.

And my camera. I spot it a few feet away. The lens snapped off and shattered. It has notches and scratches on it.

Several tears fall down my cheeks. I squeeze my eyes shut. My body shakes as I suppress my tears. They can do anything to me. Anything. But don't break my camera.

I push myself to my feet and pick up the pieces of my camera. I check my chip. It seems to be the only thing unscathed. I slip it into my pocket.

I rush to Ms. Brooks room. She doesn't look up from her computer as I come in. I quickly shove my camera in my bag and head for the door. She stops me.

"Did you get the photos?"

"Yeah. I'm going to do a few edits and I'll email them to you."

"Sounds good. Bye Anna."

"Bye." I head to the bathroom and check myself. I can't let anyone know about this.

I look better than I feel. My lip stopped bleeding and doesn't even look like it had started. I have a small cut on my elbow, but I can pass that off for anything. The only main thing is the blood at my hairline.

Grabbing a paper towel, I dampen it and dab it to my head. It stings but quickly cleans up. I dry it and give it a few seconds. It doesn't look too bad. I think I can get away with this.