“You’ll be safe. Don’t worry.”
I clutched the strap of my backpack tightly as we walked down the dimly lit path with trees on both sides. What had been meant as a means to beautify the path had turned it into a dangerous area for anyone after dark.
Halfway to their house, I began to relax until Teddy shouted, “Watch out!”
Electricity coursed through my body. I saw a look of surprise on Teddy’s face as I blacked out.
THIRTY-SEVEN
Austin
I sat in the living room, staring blankly at the television while waiting for Brooke and the others to return. Many different emotions, some I’d never felt before, whipped through my mind.
When the door opened, I sat up, desperately wanting to see her face. Teddy came inside, followed by Brian. They both rushed by, heading toward their bedroom.
“Hey, what’s going on?” I called after them as I stood up. “Where’s Brooke?”
I glanced at the open door, hoping she would walk through. After walking over and looking outside, I realized she hadn’t arrived with them. Fuck!
As I ran to Teddy’s bedroom, I saw him standing with a tablet in his hands. Brian stood at his side, peering at the screen. Both looked up as I came in.
“Sorry, Austin. I tried to stop them, but there were too many of them.”
“Who?” I asked, ready to bash skulls. “Was it that frat-fuck and his friends?”
“No,” Brian said. “Some guy with a mohawk and a bunch of other people.”
I tilted my head to the side and looked at Teddy for clarification.
“Don’t worry,” he said, still looking at the screen. “I dropped my phone in her backpack before we ran.”
“How the hell is that going to help?” I asked.
He held up the tablet.
“I’ve got an app that tracks my phone in case I lose it.”
“He loses it a lot,” Brian added.
I walked over to them.
“Where is she now?”
“It’s not super exact, it’s a free app, but I think she’s in the park.”
“The big one?”
I saw a red, flashing dot on the map.
“There?” I asked.
He nodded.
“Let’s go,” I said.
“Wait.” Teddy pulled his phone out of his pocket. “We need to call the police.”
“There’s no time.”