Chapter 8: Get Lost, Part 1

My morning passed rather uneventfully. Abby didn't hover. I assumed it was because she was too busy with Marc. Ellie, however, had been by my side most of the morning, and I was okay with that.

"So, anyway, I'm having a sleepover next weekend. It's totally middle school, but they're fun, and I think it would be great for you to get to know Tonya and Gina, and they're really stoked by the idea. So, you'll be there, right?" Ellie asked.

"Huh? Yeah, of course," I said when Ellie stopped talking long enough to take a breath. "I'll have to check with my aunt and uncle, but I'm sure it will be fine. Sounds fun."

"Great! You can ride home with me next Friday after school if you want."

"Cool."

We continued down the hall together until she stopped and pulled on my sleeve.

"Chloe is on board for the sleepover Friday night," Ellie announced to Gina and Tonya.

"Fantastic." Gina closed her locker. "Hope you don't mind scary stories, because I am like the queen of those. Last time, I made Tonya pee herself she was so scared."

"No, you didn't." Tonya hugged her books to her chest and gave Gina an annoyed but humorous look.

"Oh please. I'm pretty sure I still have a video of you from that night." Gina pulled her phone from her bag. Huddled together, she and Tonya looked at the phone, occasionally giggling.

My gaze wandered the crowded hallway and landed on Trent, who stood outside of our next class, watching me. At least, I assumed he was watching me, but I couldn't be sure where he was looking with those sunglasses covering his eyes. My heartrate spiked.

"Hey, I'll catch up with you guys later. I need to go to my locker," I said.

"Okay, see you in a bit." Ellie waved.

After grabbing my history book, I shut my locker door and turned to head toward class. Marc came walking down the hall. I was surprised to see he was alone. Where was Abby? He slowed his stride as he passed me. Something about him didn't seem quite right. The hairs on the back of my neck stood on edge, and goose bumps spread up my arms.

He winked at me and whispered, "Get lost." Then I swore he blew a kiss in my direction.

"Excuse me?" I said, but he strode by like he hadn't said a word.

I shivered and looked away. So weird. I headed down the hall to my class only to realize I'd gone the wrong direction. How had I managed to do that? I turned around and went back the way I came, but that wasn't the right way, either. I stopped and looked up and down the hallway. Where was I? I spun around and froze.

A thick fog seeped through the hall. Long, swirling tendrils of mist curled around my feet, holding me in place. I whipped my head around frantically as my heart thrashed in my chest. What was happening? Panic crept up my spine. Didn't anyone else see what was going on?

I attempted to move, to lift my foot, but it was like I had lead weights tied to my ankles. Help! The word died on my lips as if I hadn't even spoken. Students walked by, laughing and talking, oblivious to me. To the fog. How could they not see what was happening?

Oh, God. I covered my nose with the back of my hand. That smell. It was putrid, and I gagged. The final bell rang, but it was muffled and distant. The hall was completely empty now.

The fog cleared, but the disgusting scent lingered in the air. My entire body was suddenly lighter, and I was able to move again. I whimpered and backed up against the lockers, hanging my head in the hopes it would clear. What was wrong with me?

Chloe. . . You don't belong here.

I jerked my head up to see who had spoken, but I was completely and utterly alone.

Go back where you came from. No one wants you here.

I slid my back down the locker and slumped to the floor. Tucking my knees to my chest, I pressed my hands over my ears.

If you stay, you'll die.

I squeezed my eyes shut and rocked forward. "No. It's not real. It's not real," I repeated, but the words continued to whisper through my mind, each repetition getting progressively louder. Tears burned my eyes.

"Chloe?"

I lifted my head and squinted against the haze clouding my vision. "Trent?" I knew it was his voice, but it didn't look like him. His form was slightly distorted.

"Are you okay? You're trembling." He kneeled beside me, his hand on my shoulder.

Some of the tension eased from my body. "I'm. . . I can't. . . Did you see it?" I frowned.

"See what?" His voice was soothing, but I didn't miss the underlying worry in his tone.

I hesitated. If I told him what I'd seen, he'd probably think I was crazy. Maybe I was. I sure as heck couldn't explain what had happened, so how could I make him believe me?

"Chloe, what did you see?"

"Nothing." I shook my head and rose to my feet.

My legs wobbled, and I reached for the locker to steady myself, but Trent was faster. He wrapped his arms around me and hauled me against his chest, the movement so fast, it made me dizzy.

"Whoa," I whispered. His unique scent settled over me, and I inhaled deeply. "You smell good."

His laughter rumbled through me.

I placed my hands on his biceps. He was all hard lines and taut muscles, but at the same time, he was soft and safe. His entire body was several degrees cooler than mine, too, but I wasn't complaining. It helped ease the confusion from my mind. And I couldn't deny I liked the feel of his arms around me.

"You okay?" he asked.

"Yes." I licked my suddenly dry lips.

His eyes narrowed as his gaze dropped to my mouth before snapping back to my face. "Please tell me what happened. Why are you so frightened?"

"Nothing." I shook my head. "I mean, I don't know. I think I had a panic attack."

His sharp blue eyes darkened several shades in front of me, and his expression went from concerned to impassive, stonelike. And then as quickly as he'd grabbed me, he released me.

I swayed unsteadily on my feet for a second.

"We're late for class," he said.

"I got lost trying to find the room."

"You got lost?" He raised a brow, disbelief coloring his expression. "It's right there." He pointed to a door a few feet away from me.

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, I'm sure." Then he opened the door and motioned for me to enter.