For a moment, Alicia thought she might stop, might sit down and break through this wall of isolation. But Emma's eyes darted toward Brandon's table, and her smile faltered. She kept walking, finding a seat with a group of other girls who were carefully not looking in Alicia's direction. Alicia understood. She wouldn't want to be a target, either.
Her phone buzzed again. "That's wonderful. Tell me all about them later. " The enthusiasm in her mother's text made Alicia's throat tight. She pushed her tray away, appetite gone. The apple sat untouched, its red skin reflecting the fluorescent lights.
Brandon's voice rose again. "You know what my granddaddy used to say about Mr. Hayes! " A teacher walking past cut him off. "That's enough. " Brandon ducked his head, the picture of contrition. "Yes, ma'am. " "Just joking around. " But as soon as the teacher moved on, he was back at it, his voice a little lower, but just as cruel.
Alicia pulled out her history textbook, pretending to study while letting her hair fall forward like a curtain. If she couldn't see them, maybe she could pretend they weren't there. The lunch period dragged on. Alicia read the same paragraph about the Civil War three times without absorbing a word. Every laugh from Brandon's table made her flinch internally, though she fought to keep her face neutral.
When the bell finally rang, she gathered her things quickly. She'd learned it was better to be one of the first ones out, to avoid being caught in the crowd where accidents seemed to happen, shoulders checking her, feet appearing in her path. The afternoon classes passed in a blur of tension. In each one, she could feel Brandon or one of his friends watching her, waiting for any sign of weakness. She kept her answers short when called on, her eyes on her work.
The final bell brought both relief and dread. Relief because another day was almost over. Dread because the hallways would be chaos. Alicia waited until most students had left before heading to her locker. The corridor was nearly empty when she reached it.
The metal door squeaked as she opened it, the sound echoing off the walls. She was reaching for her history book when a shadow fell across her. Hey there, city girl. Brandon's voice made her freeze. He was too close, deliberately invading her space.
She could smell his expensive cologne, could see his letterman jacket out of the corner of her eye. Better learn your place, he whispered, his breath hot against her ear, before someone has to teach you. Alicia's hands trembled as she shoved her book into her backpack. She wanted to turn around, to face him, to show him she wasn't afraid, but her body wouldn't cooperate. It knew better than her mind did about survival.
She closed her locker with a soft click and hurried away, her sneakers silent on the linoleum floor. Brandon's quiet laugh followed her down the hall. She didn't run. Running would show fear, but her steps were quick and purposeful. Only when she pushed through the front doors into the afternoon sunlight did she let out the breath she'd been holding.
Her mother's car was waiting in the pickup line, a silver sanctuary. Alicia walked toward it, keeping her back straight despite the urge to hunch over and hide. She was David Carter's daughter. She would not break. She would not show fear.
But as she reached for the car door handle, her hand was still shaking. The autumn sun hung low in the sky as Alicia shouldered her backpack, leaving the empty school behind. She'd stayed late working on a science project, trying to lose herself in the familiar comfort of equations and experiments. Now the parking lot was deserted, except for a few cars belonging to the janitorial staff. A cool breeze rustled through the trees that bordered the school grounds.
The wooded path home would save her 15 minutes compared to walking along the main road. She'd taken it twice before, appreciating the quiet and the way the trees blocked out the rest of the world. Dried leaves crunched under her feet as she started down the trail. The late afternoon light filtered through the branches, creating shifting patterns on the ground. Her phone buzzed, probably her mom wondering where she was.
Alicia reached into her pocket to check it. Well, look who it is. Brandon's voice made her freeze. He stepped out from behind a large oak tree, blocking the path ahead. Heavy footsteps behind her made her spin around.
Kyle and Trevor were there, cutting off her retreat. Mason emerged from the trees to her right, completing the trap. Taking the scenic route? Brandon's smile was all teeth. How convenient.
Alicia's heart hammered against her ribs. She gripped her phone tighter, but before she could do anything, Kyle lunged forward and snatched it from her hand. No calling for help, he sneered, pocketing the phone. What do you want? Alicia tried to keep her voice steady, but fear made it waver.
Brandon took a step closer. Just wanted to have a little chat about respect. Seems like you still haven't learned your lesson. Get away from me. Alicia backed up, but Trevor was right there.
He shoved her hard, sending her stumbling forward. Or what? Brandon laughed. Daddy's not here to help you. Mason pulled something from his backpack, a length of rope.
Alicia's eyes widened. She tried to run, but there was nowhere to go. They grabbed her arms, their fingers digging into her skin. Let me go! She kicked out, catching Trevor in the shin.
He cursed and twisted her arm harder. Feisty one, isn't she? Brandon's voice was cold now. Hold her tight. They dragged her toward a thick tree, her heels leaving trails in the dirt as she fought against their grip.
Her backpack was torn off and tossed aside, books spilling across the ground. You can't do this, Alicia said, hating how her voice shook. Someone will Someone will what? Brandon got right in her face. No one comes down this trail this late.
No one's going to help you. Mason wrapped the rope around her, pulling it tight against her ribs. The rough bark of the tree dug into her back through her thin jacket. Kyle produced a dirty bandana from his pocket. Can't have you screaming for help, he said, forcing it into her mouth and tying it behind her head.
The taste of dirt and sweat made her gag. They stepped back to admire their work. Alicia strained against the ropes, but they only seemed to get tighter. Tears burned in her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. Not so tough now, are you?
Brandon circled her slowly. This is what happens when you don't know your place. Maybe we should leave her overnight, Trevor suggested with a laugh. Nah, someone might find her eventually. Brandon shrugged.
A few hours in the cold should do it. Mason picked up her scattered books, making a show of dropping them one by one into a muddy puddle. Her chemistry textbook, her notebook full of careful notes, her novel for English class, all ruined. "Oops," he said with fake concern. "Hope those weren't important. " The sun was sinking faster now, taking the warmth with it.
Alicia's fingers were already going numb where they were tied behind the tree. She tried to say something through the gag, but only muffled sounds came out. "What's that? " Brandon cupped his ear mockingly. "Can't quite hear you. " They all laughed, the sound echoing through the trees. A bird startled and flew away, wings flapping loudly in the growing silence.