Rowan30 #2
I found the folder right where I left it on the mattress, stacked neatly with the extra copies I'd printed and some last-minute notes I'd scribbled down.
I checked it all over just to make sure I hadn't missed anything, then grabbed a few more folders to drop off in my classroom.
I stuffed it all in my bag and turned to head back out.
Eli was waiting by the door with his coat still on. "You ready?"
I frowned. "You don't have to come with me. It's just a drop-off."
He didn't say anything, but the look on his face said enough. He clearly wanted to argue but didn't know how to bring it up. I knew right away what he was worried about.
"I'll be alright," I said quietly. "It's not even a ten-minute walk. I'll be back within the hour."
His jaw tightened. "Yeah, but – "
"I know," I cut in gently. "But if I don’t start doing some of this on my own, I’ll never be able to. I’ve been making progress, right? I don’t want to lose that."
His gaze drifted away, then he sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. I almost felt bad asking him to stay here just because I knew how nervous he still was about Marcus. But before I could speak again, he reached into his coat pocket and brought out a small canister.
I blinked. "What's that?"
"Farbgel. Just take it with you. Please."
I took it and turned it over in my hand, more fascinated than I probably should've been. It looked like pepper spray, but the label was different. "When did you start carrying this?"
He shrugged. "A while ago. Just in case. You never know."
I went quiet for a minute. The canister sat in my palm, a cold and solid reminder of everything that used to keep me from stepping out the door. Eli wasn't giving me this because he didn't trust me. Actually, he trusted me enough to step away, even if it made him nervous.
I swallowed down the lump forming in my throat and tucked the canister into my pocket. Then I stepped in close, took Eli’s face in my hands, and kissed him.
He didn’t hesitate. His hands found my sides with that quiet steadiness I'd come to rely on. When I pulled back, his eyes met mine, calm but a little tight with worry.
"I'll text when I get there," I promised. "And when I leave. Deal?"
His shoulders relaxed just the tiniest bit. "Deal. Don't make me send a search party."
I gave him a flat look. "You mean yourself and a very dramatic voicemail?"
He smirked. "With sound effects and everything."
"You're a dork."
"And yet you still picked me."
I rolled my eyes, but it tugged a smile out of me, anyway. I gave his hand a quick squeeze. "Be back soon."
"Alright. Be safe."
I nodded once, then slipped out the door.
The cold bit at my face as I stepped outside again, but I barely felt it.
My hand stayed curled around the canister in my pocket, more for reassurance than anything else.
I kept my eyes up as I walked, watchful and alert but surprisingly not tense.
Not like I used to be. I didn't feel the need to brace like I did even a few weeks ago.
I kept a steady pace on my way to the school, listening to every sound around me, but nothing stood out. No footsteps where they shouldn't be. No shadows that looked out of place. It was kind of nice not having to watch my back so closely.
By the time the school came into view, the tight coil in my chest had loosened. I stepped inside and let the door swing shut behind me. The warm blast from the heaters was a relief against the winter air. As I pulled my gloves off, I realised how cold my fingers had gotten in such a short time.
Eli was right. I needed better gloves.
I stuffed them into my other pocket and moved to the side to send off the text I promised. I hadn't even typed a word, though, before a familiar voice called out to me.
"Mr. Hale! You're back!"
I looked up to see Finlay, one of my SEN kids, on his way out with his mother. He had his school bag slung over his shoulder and his usual shy smile on his face.
"Hey, Fin. Yeah, I'm dropping some things off. Haven't seen you in a bit. How are you?"
"Good. School's... You know. School. But it'll be better when you're back. Mrs Hollis is nice and all, but history class isn't the same."
I chuckled. "I'm sure she's doing fine."
"Yeah, but she doesn't know all the cool stuff that you do. Like that story you told us about the sieges on Dover Castle. That was awesome."
Fin's excitement brought a warmth to my chest I hadn't felt in a while. This was what I loved about teaching – connecting with the kids and making history fun for them. It reminded me of why I did this job and who I was beyond all the chaos that had uprooted my life.
"I'll make sure to have more stories when I'm back. I've got a lot lined up next term."
"Nice. Can't wait."
I glanced down at my phone, and then I got an idea. "Actually, Fin, you remember my friend Eli?"
"The guy with the camera?"
I snickered. "Yeah. Him. I was about to text him. You want in on it?"
Fin nodded eagerly, so I waved for him to come stand by me. We took a quick selfie, and I sent it off to Eli with: Made it. And Fin says hi. I knew he'd be waiting with the phone in his hand, and sure enough, the three little dots that signalled he was replying showed up almost immediately.
I was not prepared for his response, though: Tell Fin he's the favourite now. You've been demoted.
My mouth dropped open, and I nearly broke into a fit of laughter.
Fin sent me a curious look. "What? What'd he say?"
I couldn't read it out loud with a straight face, so I turned my phone around for him to see it. He laughed, gave a quick wave, and walked out grinning.
His mother hung back with a smile on her face, but it dimmed once her son was out of earshot. "How are you holding up, by the way? I heard you got hurt pretty badly before the first term even started."
The question made my adrenaline spike, but I couldn't really be angry at her. She didn't know my situation. "Yes, I did. I'm fine now."
"That's good. A lot of the parents were concerned when they told us you'd be out for half the year."
I forced a smile. "No need to worry. I'm alright."
She nodded and gave me a sympathetic look. "I'm glad to hear it. Fin'll definitely be happy to have you back."
"Thanks. I look forward to it."
With that, she gave me a final smile and hurried to catch up to her son.
I waited until the door clicked shut behind her before looking back down at my phone. Fuck you, I typed, then hit send without hesitation.
By the time I reached my classroom, I had a reply: Love you, too.
* * *
I pushed through the front doors of the school and immediately had to tug my coat tighter around me as a sharp gust cut through the grounds.
It felt like the air had dropped several degrees just in the twenty minutes since I got there, drastic enough that I muttered a curse under my breath.
And I'd left my bag in my classroom, so I didn't even have that to block any of the wind.
I pulled out my phone and tapped out a quick message to Eli: Heading back now. Be there in ten. Then I stuffed it away again and started walking.
The road was mostly quiet, save for the occasional car passing by or a shout from a kid on the next street.
Christmas lights and decorations blinked from several windows, casting soft glows that didn't quite reach the pavement.
I kept my head down and picked up the pace, more for warmth than anything else.
It felt fine at first. But about halfway home, a prickle started at the base of my neck. Subtle at first. I thought it was the wind blowing down the back of my collar, but something didn't sit right. I slowed down just a fraction to glance across the road, then over my shoulder.
I didn't see anything obviously out of place or anyone close by. Still, the uneasy feeling wouldn't go away. I turned my gaze forward again and kept walking. Faster this time.
I slid one hand into my coat pocket, and my fingers curled tight around the canister. The other pulled out my phone. Maybe if I called Eli and kept him on the line for the next few minutes –
I didn't even get the screen unlocked. A hand slammed over my mouth, yanking me backwards so suddenly my feet nearly left the ground. My phone flew out of my hand and hit the pavement with a sharp crack.
I didn't need to see him. I knew that grip.
Panic threatened to take over, but I didn't try to fight his hold. I already knew that wouldn't work. Instead, I fumbled with the canister, tore it out of my pocket, and aimed it blindly over my shoulder. A harsh blast hissed next to my ear, followed by a strangled yell.
The hand on my face jerked away immediately, and I heard Marcus stumble behind me. "Fuckin' hell – what – "
I ran.
The cold air burned my lungs. My hand still clutched the canister as I cut across the road, weaving between parked cars, trying to put as much distance between us as I could. If I could just get around the corner –
His fingers caught the back of my coat. I stumbled off balance when he dragged me almost off my feet again, rough and fast. I twisted and raised the canister –
But this time his hand snapped around my wrist and squeezed so hard my fingers went numb. I couldn't press the button before he wrenched my arm to the side and twisted. Pain shot up to my shoulder. The canister slipped from my hand and clattered to the ground.
"You little shit. Ya think this is funny?!"
I tried to yell, but his other hand clamped over my mouth, this time tight enough to cover my nose, too. I kicked at him and clawed at his arm, but it didn't do any good. My lungs screamed for air. Everything started to tilt sideways. My vision tunnelled, narrowed to a smear of lights and motion.
Then nothing.