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  TRAPPED

  Book Two

  By

  Nicole T Smith

  * * * * *

  PUBLISHED BY:

  Nicole T Smith on Amazon

  TRAPPED

  Copyright © 2012 by Nicole T Smith

  CHAPTER ONE

  As I approached Saint Ambrose High School, I took comfort in the size of this new school that I made the choice to attend. I believe it is the biggest school I have ever attended and I have been to a lot of them. I liked that though, because a new student didn’t stand out so much.

  I held my schedule tightly as I located my first class, English 12A. I found an empty seat near the back. The teacher nodded at me as I entered. A few boys turned to watch me find a seat. I smiled smugly, only slightly appreciating their interest in me. Math followed and it is certainly not my best subject. I managed to sit closer to the teacher’s desk, which is good because I knew I would need his personal assistance eventually. Mr. Rhodes didn’t look much older than Hayden, but he definitely didn’t seem as confident.

  After lunch I located the science room on the third level. Finally the class I have been looking forward to the most. Physical Education is going to be fun this year, I mused as I quickly ran down to the gym. That’s why I took it. I wanted to excel at something this term. I thought about what Hayden would say but I didn’t care, I needed some fun. I couldn’t wait to play something now that I possessed increased strength and stamina. For the first class we just ran around the block while she talked about the rules, boring. I rolled my eyes along with a couple of other girls in the back. We laughed as the very masculine looking female coach droned on.

  “I absolutely refuse to change when she’s around,” the little blond girl running beside me said with a giggle.

  “Yeah, talk about feeling like a piece of meat, just wait till she starts gawking at you,” a girl in front of us whispered back. I couldn’t help but laugh.

  “I’m serious, she’s rude, I’m sure you’ll hear all the stories soon enough,” the girl continued, running on the other side of me now.

  “Well I plan on keeping my distance,” I informed her.

  “Me too, I’m Kate. If you need to know about any of the other teachers in this place I’ll be happy to fill you in,” she offered.

  “Thanks Kate, I’m Natalie. What about my math teacher, Mr. Rhodes?”

  “Oh baby, Mr. Rhodes has been charged with sexual harassment at another school on the other side of the city. Don’t find yourself alone with him either unless you’re into that sort of thing?” she smirked and winked.

  “Thanks for the info,” I smiled back.

  I couldn’t believe how relieved I felt to see Hayden’s car at the end of the day. I forgot how exhausting it can be when you’re surrounded by so many people all day, not all of which were of the living either. There were a few times during my first day I felt a little jealous of the students and teachers who seemed completely oblivious to all the spirits that surrounded them. Saint Ambrose is full of them.

  It is troubling at times, trying to keep them out of my site. Aside from the ghosts though, I really liked the school. There are parts of the building that are over a hundred years old. The grey stone has begun to chip and discolor but the vines that cover half of the outside walls reveal just how alive the building really is. When I first arrived this morning I could see the spirits looking down from the top floor windows at the students as they arrived.

  There were a few spirits I couldn’t help but acknowledge during my first day in that old school. The first one caught me off guard. It was completely unintentional, up on the third floor. I started talking to her about the drafts in the classroom freezing me. She smiled slowly as she sat down beside me.

  “I don’t feel the cold anymore,” she said grinning. I looked up at her and laughed. This really surprised her. Luckily I reached the class early and the only other student in the room still wore his headphones.

  She didn’t leave my side for the rest of the day. I felt a sense of relief in the fact that she didn’t try to follow me home. Surprisingly, she didn’t even try and leave the school when I left. I whispered ‘good bye’ to her as I walked out the doors.

  I spotted Hayden parked just up the street from the school. He was leaning against the back of his Mazda Miata, his sunglasses hid his eyes but I could tell he saw me. He smiled as I approached him. He held his hand out to me and pulled me close.

  “How did your first day go?” he asked, as he insisted on picking me up.

  “Not so bad. I have some decent teachers. I’ve met some nice people,” I explained casually. He nodded and smiled, looking like he expected me to say something more.

  “That’s good but I couldn’t help but notice that there are a few spirits lingering around the school. I hope you managed to avoid them,” he asked as he set his eyes on mine.

  “Of course Hayden, don’t worry about me. I’m at school. I’m safe.” I wished he would leave this alone but he knows me better than I thought. I can’t help myself though. I have always liked spirits more than most of the living people I’ve met. In a strange way they have comforted me all my life.

  As the days passed and the weather warmed I tried to spend my breaks and lunches outside. When no one else joined me, Beth usually appeared beside me, the ghost I met on the third floor my first day. She seemed careful about how far she would venture from the school, but the grounds seemed to be okay. I liked her company. She enjoyed telling me stories about her family and all the pets she used to have. I assumed she hasn’t really talked to anyone living in a long time.

  Early one day I felt the need to escape the school for a little while and enjoy a reprieve from all the voices surrounding me. I walked out to the farthest side of the field and sat down in the grass when Beth appeared beside me, looking a little more sullen than usual. I tapped her hand as she looked into the woods, seeming a million miles away.

  “Are you okay Beth?” I asked her.

  “I just saw the chalkboard, with today’s date written on it. I’m never really okay on this day,” she said as she continued to stare into the woods. I tried to follow her gaze but couldn’t see anything. I remained focused on the dense forest as she began to explain the complications she experienced due to an unplanned pregnancy.

  Her teacher loved her, or so she thought. She used to be very smart and so eager to learn that she would stay late after school to read in the library. Mr. Black would sometimes join her. They would discuss politics and social injustices around the world. Sometimes these conversations would get heated. Then one day they were so deep in discussion she hadn’t notice how close he moved towards her until she felt his hand on her leg. After that first time they would meet a few times a week at his house. She loved his company.

  When she found out she was pregnant she told him immediately. He promised her he would take care of her and that everything would be okay, but the next day he never arrived at school. He didn’t show for the rest of the week. She went to his house and found it empty. He left her. He didn’t even say good bye. She became so depressed. She couldn’t eat or sleep. When she fainted at school the nurse called an ambulance to take her to the hospital.

  She miscarried later that day. Her parents were furious with her. She sunk deeper into her depression. She became so ill that one morning her mother went into her room to wake her up for school, but she didn’t respond. Her mother yelled at her to get up. ‘If you don’t get up and go to school then you’re not allowed to live her anymore, do you understand?’ When Beth didn’t respond she walked over to the bed and pulled the blanket off her. The scream that escaped from her mother’s lungs sent her father racing into the room. He grabbed her and stammered, ‘What is it? ‘Look at her,’ she cried. He glanced quickly
at Beth then ran to get the doctor.

  “She must have died during the night,” the doctor said as he examined her. Beth told me she stood there in the room and looked down at her lifeless body. She couldn’t believe the color of her skin, a purplish blue covered her body and her eyes were wide open, staring up at the ceiling. She felt sorry for causing her parents such a fright but they emotionally abandoned her when she needed them the most. She was so alone in her last few days. The autopsy would reveal that she suffered from an infection due to the miscarriage and it spread through her blood. An antibiotic drip would have saved her but her parents didn’t listen to her when she told them how sick she felt. They told her she needed to be punished for her sins.

  I turned back to Beth and looked into her eyes as she continued to stare into the woods. I followed her gaze again. At first I thought she may have fallen deep into despair from drudging up this horrible memory that she couldn’t help but just stare off into nothing, but then I saw something. Just a flicker of a white light but I knew it still lingered there. Someone is in the woods watching me. Beth knew this before she sat down beside me.

  I heard the bell and tried to shake off the trance I felt consuming me. I’ll have to race back for class, I thought as I forced myself to stand. Beth seemed frozen as she continued to watch the spirit in the trees. No matter how sorry for her I felt, I don’t have a choice but to leave her there. I’ve exposed myself to something I shouldn’t have. I’ve put myself at risk by being out here alone with this unknown spirit so close. I held Beth’s hand tightly then released her before running as fast as I could back to the school. Luckily everyone has gone back in and hopefully won’t notice me sprint at an inhumanly possible speed across the field.

  I didn’t see Beth for the rest of the day. The next morning after my first class I went to the library to study. I sat down in the farthest corner of the room. I began to read the first novel assigned to us in English. As I absorbed the words in the Heart of Darkness she appeared beside me. Beth seemed happy and relaxed again. Neither of us mentioned yesterday, the story of her death or the spirit in the woods. Instead we talked about the students and laughed quietly. She giggled as she told me she heard the latest news regarding this week’s round of crushes. We laughed and gossiped like two normal high school girls. It was the closest to normal I would get. I wasn’t interested in the boys that were trying to get my attention. I didn’t want to go to the school dances. I just wanted to get through this last term so that I could graduate, begin my travels and work for Clive.

  Hayden thought I should concentrate on my studies and worry about being a Seeker later. I just couldn’t escape the constant urge to hunt. Every day I could feel the need getting stronger. I would use my senses during the week to plan my attack on ghosts in the halls and in the classrooms. I listened for them constantly. It still surprised me when I could hear conversations between people at the opposite end of the hall from me. In the classroom I could hear the whispered conversations as if they were shouting. It definitely made it difficult to concentrate, but in those times I would remember Sofia telling me how to focus and how to fade them out. I practiced every day until finally I managed to zone in on one conversation and all the others would fade away.

  Later in the week I told Hayden I would be late coming home from school. I climbed the stairs up to the top floor. Walking through the attic I smiled at all the ghosts watched me. They knew I saw them and I wasn’t afraid. I actually believe they were afraid of me. I found a door and walked out onto the roof. I waited for the last teacher to finally leave then I waited patiently for the janitor to lock up. As soon as he drove away I skipped to the far end of the roof and raced down the length of it. As I leaped off the edge I flipped in the air just before landing, exactly as Carlos taught me.

  I jumped up laughing. I grabbed a hold of Beth and hugged her as I continued to squeal with excitement. I could see the shock on her face as I spun her around.

  “You’re not exactly living are you? I mean most people can’t jump from four stories and land on their feet without some kind of impact or injury,” she questioned, trying to figure me out.

  “I’m special Beth. I have to do that again!” I said grinning

  I climbed the school walls, thrilled with my speed and agility. I wasn’t thrilled by the dirt on my jeans though. Hayden will definitely be suspicious, but at that moment I didn’t care. I needed to jump again. The feeling of flying was just too exhilarating and it’s the only bit of excitement I’ve enjoyed in a long time. I loved the rush I felt at the moment my feet leaped from the edge of the school. I really wished Carlos could be here with me now. I’m sure he would have found a way to make it more challenging. I’m going to call him later, aside from Hayden he is my best friend. He stayed by my side during the painful days following my mother’s and Luke’s death. He held me when I couldn’t stand, he sat in silence beside me when I didn’t want to talk and when I did want to talk he listened without judgment. I sighed as I realized how much I missed him.

  I explained to Beth that Carlos taught me to fly, well jump far and land. I didn’t tell her how I achieved this power though. I really didn’t want her to be afraid of me, but I could tell she questioned this skill I demonstrated, thankfully she didn’t ask any more questions.

  “Hi Hayden,” I said as I put my knapsack down on the table, trying to control my exuberance that still lingered.

  “Natalie, your home, did you finish your project?” he asked, as he walked toward me from his den. I forgot which excuse I gave him for being late today.

  “Yes, thank you, I did,” I mumbled.

  “Rough day?” he asked pointing to the grass stains on my jeans. He noticed immediately.

  “I fell during a game of Frisbee at lunch,” I lied.

  “I didn’t know you played Frisbee,” he mused, not exactly accepting my answer.

  “I don’t, at least I didn’t but I find I can play a lot of games now and I must admit I am damn good at it too,” I said smiling, remembering how I landed perfectly off the school roof. Hayden wasn’t buying any of it, but he played along.

  “I’m glad you’re having fun,” he smirked looking me over. I kissed him quickly before I walked to the bedroom to change.

  After dinner that night Hayden told me Clive called earlier with a request for him. Hayden has decided to resume his work, starting tonight.

  “Please bring me Hayden, I need to hunt,” I begged him to take me but he refused.

  “You need to get to bed early so you won’t be tired in the morning,” he responded with a quick smile as he turned away from me. He sounded worse than my parents did when they were alive. I glared at him.

  “Hey, it was your decision to go back to school,” he said, still not turning to look at me. I could feel my anger and frustration growing as I stood there. I tried desperately not to throw something at him. How dare he be so controlling. He left without another word or a glance back to me. I grabbed the phone and called Carlos immediately.

  “Hello?” he answered, in a thick Brazilian accent. I immediately wished he wasn’t so far away from me.

  “Carlos! It's Natalie. How are you? I hope I didn’t call at a bad time?” I felt nervous all f a sudden.

  “Natalie, darling, have I missed you. What have you been doing?” his voice sounded so good to me just then. I didn’t realize just how much I missed his friendship, or how much I missed him.

  “Well, I’m going back to high school,” I told him. I could hear him laughing.

  “Are you done?” I said, trying to sound annoyed.

  “Sorry Nat but I just can’t picture you sitting still,” he continued laughing.

  “Well, just between you and me, I did jump off the roof of the school today, four stories Carlos! I landed perfectly, thank you very much,” I boasted, feeling proud of my accomplishment.

  “That’s my girl. You’ll have to show me when I get there.”

  “When are you getting here?” I squealed wi
th excitement.

  “Have you missed me?” he asked sweetly.

  “Of course I have. I need to get out. I need to run. I need my trainer. When are you coming?” I tried to not sound as desperate for his company as I felt.

  “I’m flying in on Saturday. I have a special mission. I actually begged Clive for it because it’s close to you. Don’t tell Hayden because he’ll be pissed that Clive didn’t tell him about it. Clive’s already given him an assignment though, as I’m sure you know. It’ll keep him busy so I can take you out on the town,” he said excitedly.

  “I’ll call your cell Saturday afternoon then. I can’t wait to see you Carlos,” I twirled around the room.

  “I’ve missed you Natalie. See you soon. Bye darling,” he said just before he hung up.

  As I gently placed my phone down, I caught myself grinning. My emotions kind of surprised me, the butterflies swirling in my stomach and my elated mood. The anticipation almost seemed too much. I haven’t felt this way in a long time. I finished my homework and tried to study for a few hours. Hayden still wasn’t home when I decided I couldn’t stay awake any longer. I climbed into bed and eventually fell into a deep sleep.

  In my dream, I arrived back at the beach house, alone again, without Hayden. I walked along the shore. The stars were out and the moon shone brightly down on me as I began to run. I really don’t know why but I ran as fast as I could. I eventually realized I could see a man up ahead. I started to run faster when I saw him wave to me, but it didn’t matter how fast I ran I couldn’t reach him, he continued to be too far in the distance. I awoke covered in sweat and panting as Hayden walked into the room.

  “Natalie, what is it? What were you dreaming about?” he asked as he held me up.

  “I’m okay Hayden. I’ve just been running in my dream. I don’t know why,” I lied but I didn’t want him to come to any conclusions. I still needed to figure it out for myself. Why couldn’t I reach Carlos? Why did I decide to run to him? I loved Hayden but I felt a craving for the fun I knew Carlos would give me. Could I really be so wrong? I hoped not. I rolled back over and fell asleep.