Chapter 17

Unfortunately, the storm wasn't bad enough to allow me the day off of school. Monday morning. As soon as I opened my front door... I was blinded. There were tremendous flashes and shouting... they called my name.

"Miss Ryder," Shouted a man, "how do you feel about being a psychic heroine?"

"Florence, was it because of your special ability that you were able to find them cheerleaders?" Then, unbiddenly - when my vision returned to normal - I was encircled by these big microphones and cameras.

"Look," I prayed that they couldn't hear how shaky my voice was, "all I really want to do is go to school. So if you wouldn't mind...?"

"Absolutely!"

"We get to see where the psychic heroine studys and how she spends her days." The reporters were telling the cameras.

"Is that where she gets it from?" A reporter asked the camera - as if it would answer! "Has she studied so hard that she has unlocked all of her brain, unlike us normal people?"

I wanted to laugh so hard! Studied? I try but my grades aren't the best. And normal people? What was the deal with that?

"Come on Flo," Tammie grabbed the car keys, "maybe when we get to school, they won't be aloud to enter the school grounds?"

Boy. Was she wrong! We got into school. So did the reporters. Mr Rodwell, our headteacher, 'escorted' them aroud to observe how I spend each day at school. They watched me in P.E. - playing football - and maths, science, french, lunch (where all the popluar people acted as if we were such good friends) and psychology. They didn't see much. But they followed me around school the next day - where Mr Ward and Mr Rodwell said that I had the subjects I enjoyed more, which is true since I love english, dance, (depends on my mood) P.E, again, lunch, law and drama - of course not in that order.

First period: Drama. I had to perform a scene that we had learnt from a script and the explain why we staged it in that way. Lighting, staging, costumes - that's right - and props.

Second Period: Dance. Practising my solo again.

Third Period: Law. After watching legally blonde, with the funny Reese Witherspoon, I loved watching law-themed programes that had mysteries and excitment. 'Apparently' I am a futur psychic-lawyer that will bring justice to the world - so the reporters told their cameras.

Fourth Period: English. The lesson where the reporters perked up and found something 'juicy' to film. Mrs Lane explained how the story we are studying was written by my grandmother. Then Winter started saying "Oh, Florence is always making these incredible analysis of the story. She's inspiring to us all." Everyone in the classroom was shocked to hear Winter saying that. But the looked she gave was daring anyone to contridict her. That's how, during lunch, I explained my life story - the one Winter didn't ask for, that time Mrs Lane had first introduced the novel.

Winter and her friends joined us at lunch. Winter squeezed in between me and Tammie. But with Josh still next to her, Tammie didn't mind. I did. Tom sat on the other side of me and draped his arm across my shoulders.

"Aw," this caused the reporters to scribble in their notebooks, "would you look at that. Young love-"

"What?" I nearly choked on the pepsi I was drinking. "No!" I couldn't breathe. I was being suffocated by people that were acting and being... fake! Seriously, I'm not popular, I have a wonderful boyfriend already, I'm not that good in lessons... It was a parallel universe!

"Oh, Tam." Tom said leaning backwards so he could see her face. "Remember not to wait for Flo, she's studying at mine today." Tom reminded me - in front of everyone - and made me go bright red.

"Oops, I forgot," I made voice sound all ditzy, "I have an appointment with Mr Ward, my counciller. So I will see you guys in P.E. Since you can't watch my session, you can interview them." I pointed to everyone. I couldn't wait to see what everyone says about me!

After picking up my stuff, I pegged it to Mr Ward's office and threw open the door to his office - making him jump from the file he was reading.

"Florence!" He closed the file, "what a pleasant surprise. What can I do for you?"

"Not let the reporters follow me around school." I shrugged as I slipped into one of his chairs. "I hate this."

"I was just about to look over your file..." Mr Ward took a sip of his coffee.

"I know the file inside out. I can even read it upside down." That's how many times I've been in his office. "Is there anything I can do to make it all go away?"

"There is one thing. I was kind of hoping the government would discuss it with your parents before I told you, but what the heck, eh?" Mr Ward seemed to give me a cautious smile.

"What do the 'government' want to take me away and do some 'tests' and 'experiments' on me? Do they want me to 'work' for them, or something?" I was being sarcastic but from the look on Mr Ward's face I knew I had just answered my own question. "I am never going to admit to having my ability! I am not working for them!"

"And why not?" Mr Ward spoke again before I could answer, "you'd be saving so many people and reuniting families, Florence. You'd earn a lot of money from it."

"Money?!" I could feel hysteria taking over my voicebox. "It isn't about money!" I thought about Blake. That time I had found him so alone... I offered to take him to the police station but he demanded me not to. The government were just using him and that they'd cause him much more trouble. I had never asked him about it because I'd always feared that he would get upset and never speak to me again. How can I even protect Blake, if I'm working for what he needs protection from? And John? I would never be able to see him again. How do I know that the missing person wants to be found? Or if an innocent person was going to be found for something they didn't do? "Mr Ward, I thought you were on my side..."

"It isn't about sides, Florence." Mr Ward said, tiredly. "It's about safety. Safety for the missing person, safety for the town, safety for you... for your friends and family."

I was so taken aback by this I only managed to squeeze out a hoarse, "how?"

"There are some people in this world that will go to extreme lengths to keep that person missing and threatening your loved ones is one of the ways they might go about it. You know what I am talking about, Florence," Mr Ward looked at me sorrowfully, "you went through it at the weekend. When you saved Megan, them kids, Grayson and Paisely-" I shuddered at their names - "They tried to hurt you so no one would know what they did to Megan."

He was right. My ability was threatening - I was threatening - my friends and family. I'd experienced it first hand, put John and Blake through hell and I wasn't going to stand by and let anyone else get hurt because of me. "I'll think about it. No promises." I said, got up from the chair and left Mr Ward's office.

P.E.... Athletics. Of course I was one of the fastest in my class. I had to be so I could out run the culprit that I am saving the victim's from. The press ate that one up. After getting warmed up, the class had to have a variety of races. We had a relay race - I got put with the slower people of the group - and my team came second. Then we did individual races. I got through to the finals.

"Florence! That was so close to breaking the school's record!" Miss Ainsworth clapped.

"You really should consider going to cross-country club." Mr Shaw was trying to hide the fact that he was impressed by my speed, considering I had beaten up one of his star players.

The reporters loved that. It was me versus Winter, Rose, Tammie and Danica (the next fastest people in the class). I was running. I felt free. But I knew Winter was on my tail. I just simply imagined that I was in a rescue mission and was running towards John and if I slowed down then I was dead. I was cheered on by others in my class and the boy's football team that Mr Shaw was coaching. I was running at lightning speed. I was scared that I was going to die without reaching John. This thought increased my speed dramatically and I won the race - miles in front of the others and smashing the school's fastest record.

My chest was drumming hard in my chest. I fell to my knees as everyone cheered and Miss Ainsworth and Mr Shaw were shouting "you did it! New record!"

I couldn't stop panting. I couldn't breathe. I felt like the collar of my P.E. top was strangling me. No matter how hard I clawed at my neck, I just couldn't breathe. I fell on my back on the fresh cut grass. Everyone rushed over to congratulate me but then they realised that I was suffocating they called for Miss Ainsworth.

"Tammie, does Florence have asthma?" Miss Ainsworth asked.

"No. She doesn't." Tammie pulled out her water bottle and brought it to my lips. It dribbled into my mouth and I spat it out on the grass.

"I need some space" I said when the straggling had stopped. No one was listening to me. They kept gaining on me.

"Florence, come on." Tom grabbed my hand. "Let's get you out of here." As much as I didn't want to go with Tom... I needed to. I couldn't stand everyone then. It was just too overwhelming.

Tom had collected my belongings from Miss Ainsworth who brought them out of the changing rooms, meanwhile I was leaning against Tom's car door, answering questions.

"What are you and Tom doing this evening, Florence?" A reporter asked.

"Studying..." I was appaulled by their question and then quickly added, "and no it's not code for something else, before you ask." Seriously? How long does it take for someone to collect some bags?

"Is Tom your type... like for a boyfriend?"

"Er, I have a boyfriend, thank you very much and I am not telling you his name." I wanted to get out of there! "I don't want you to pester him."

"What was it that happened to you, after you broke the school's record?"

"I don't know." It was half true. I don't know why or how. Or what it exactly was but I knew that I was couldn't breathe as if I was being strangled.

Chapter 18

"My parents aren't home." Tom said as he joined me on his sofa.

How, I thought, convinient for you. If he tries to pull anything he's going to get worse than that shinner I gave him. "Just get to the studying."

"Nice try." Tom pulled some books from his bag. "I know the 'I need to catch up on english' was just an excuse to get out of coming over to mine."

"Oh, was that what I was doing?" I said sarcastically.

"You're really good in english," stage one: compliment, "I'm the one who needs help with it."

"I bet." I mumbled.

"Could you help me read chapter fifteen, I don't understand it." Tom had left my bag in the hall - where my book was. Stage two: sit nearer to 'study-partner'. That's right he moved closer to me with his book so I could 'see' what we were studying.

"Tom, that's one of the easiest key chapters in the book!" I rolled my eyes.

"Look, I'm seriously not trying to pull anything." Tom caught on from the nervous look on my face. "How about I order some pizza?"

"Sure." Stage three: order a pizza or a takeaway.

"I have got one question for you," Tom said as he walked back in - after ordering pizza. "Why him?"

"Why who?" But I knew who. "John?"

"Yes... John. He's older than you, he works at a garage.... and I'm afraid to say it... but..." Tom's voice went low and quiet.

"He's an outskirt." I finished for him. "I know and considering how I fit in so well with his lifestyle... I'm not afraid to say I'm an outskirt too." I smiled proudly. "John... the amount of times he's saved my life... I can never repay him."

"John's on probation, right?" Tom asked. I couldn't tell if he was bluffing.

"How'd you know about that?" I blurted out before I could think.

"Just a guess." Tom shrugged.

"So are you parents at work?" I said to make conversation.

"Yeah... what about yours?"

"Dead." I answered flatly. Everyone thinks my parents are Nancy and Terrance - even if they aren't my real parents - but I have never, still don't, felt that way.

"How did it happen?" Tom was unable to make eyecontact with me. "Car accident?"

"Yeah. I would love to find out more but... as time goes on, it seems more and more impossible to find any trace that proves they were alive." I chewed on my lower lip.

"Let's," Tom said after a while.... "lighten up the mood." He put the radio on. Stage four: music

The pizza finally came, we completed our homework, studied for a little while, watched a couple of movies - not the way John and I do - sitting far, far apart and then Tom dropped me off at home. But of course Nancy invited him into the house for some 'ice-cream' and Tom took her up on that offer.

The reporters were back. I could hear them bugging Tom with questions about our 'date'. Better him than me I thought. As soon as Tom pulled away... that's when all hell broke loose.

"So how was your date? Did he do the four stages?" Tammie asked.

I nodded and thankfully Tammie stayed silent. "It wasn't a date."

"Did he help you understand your work better?" Nancy joined in on interigating me.

"Yes." I lied.

"It was a shame it was a peck" Nancy shrugged and then went into the kitchen. Nancy meant the 'peck' on my cheek that Tom had given me - if that gets in the news I am going to make him unable to even speak.

I made a break for it and ran upstairs into my room. I was lying on my bed just thinking about everything that John and I have been through. I was wondering if he was going to speak to me ever again. And then my mobile rung.

"Hello!" My heart skipped a beat. The caller ID flashed it was John and I had jumped for my phone. "I was actually just thinking about you-"

"Ryder." John didn't sound to thrilled. "Are you going to explain to me what happened to you today or do I have to wait for the media to tell me?"

"What?" I said indignantly. "I already told you on friday, that Nancy forced me to go over to Tom's to study and-"

"I know about Tom's." John interrupted me. "I mean, what happened in P.E."

"Oh, that?" I suddenly found myself speaking with a modest tone, "It was nothing, I broke the class record today. It's weird how what you think can affect-"

"Florence." John was gradually becoming impatient with me. "I know you broke the class record - which is pretty cool. Florence, what happened after you broke the record, when you collapsed on the grass?"

"Simply that." I fell back on to my bed. "I was running so fast that my muscles were aching and I needed to catch my breath."

"Florence," John said in a don't-mess-with-me tone, "they said you were struggling to breathe... you looked as if you were being strangled and your classmates say that you were clawing at your neck. What happened?"

"I... I don't know, John." I said, tiredly. "I really don't know. One minute I was fine, the next I was suffocating, alright?" I was getting a little peeved with him.

John didn't say anything for a while. A part of me felt like he had hung up, but then he said, "did he do the stages?"

"Yes, but he only got to stage four." I laughed a little. "On friday, please don't try any of that. It's really corny."

He laughed. It was good to hear him laugh. "Ryder, you are really weird, you know that?"

"Don't I ever." I joked, again. But then something bugged me: "John, how does Tom know that you're on probation?" Silence. "Why was it that two cheerleaders went missing?" Silence, again. "You don't think that Grayson, could have been threatening Tom - since Eliza was his girlfriend - and Tom's last resort was to use me? And to make me agree to helping him against the threats that Grayson held against Tom, he was using you?"

"I think... you're right. Tom used me, to get to you, to stop the threats that Grayson held against him. Okay, so we need to find out what 'threats' were being held." John cleaned up the situation.

"John..."

"We don't want to let them know what we're up to..." John continued. "So a plan - a good one - will be neccessary-"

"John!" I got his attention and then said in a quiet, shaking voice, "there's not just the threats we need to find out. How did Tom know about me?"

"What do you mean?" John's voice asked faintly.

"He didn't know that I have my ability until after I had found Eliza and Harriet. So how did he know before that I have my ability?" Silence. "If Eliza was the threat that Grayson held against Tom and he needed my help, how did he know?"

John hesitated. "I... I don't know, but you know, we just assuming here. It's a theory." I knew John was saying this more to himself - so he could comfort himself.

"Florence!" Max shouted up the stairs, "phone!"

"Look John, someone's called the landline and it's for me." I said trying to make my voice sound normal again, but something was bothering me. It was as if something was poking my mind going 'hello? Remember me?' and my mind's reply is 'nah, not really. You aren't important if I can't remember you.' I sighed. "I'll see you soon."

"Yeah, see you soon." John said softly.

We never say 'goodbye' because we want to make sure that we see each other again. It's our little thing, don't stress if you don't understand. Also, everytime I say 'I'll see you soon' to John, I silently add 'I love you' but because John isn't too big on the idea of them, I don't say it.

"They wouldn't give their name," Max answered to my 'who is it?' "and they sound weird but I think it's a male?"

"Oh, okay." I took the phone from him. "Hello?" I asked in my politest voice.

"Florence Ryder?" Asked the muffled, rough voice. "Quit while your ahead. Stop asking questions!"

"What?" I said quietly.

"Stop trying to find answers!" The dark voice bellowed through the phone. "If you don't stop you're going to end up like Eliza Dixon and Harriet Phillips or like... your parents... dead." That's what happened to the line. It went dead.

Frozen, my fingers gripped tighter on to the phone. I didn't even dare to press 'redial' I was too shaken up to even consider such a thing. But, naturally, of course, I couldn't stop asking questions. At that moment I had a million questions in my head: 'Who was that?' and 'how do they know I'm solving the Eliza/Harriet case?' and 'how do they know my parents are dead?'

It turns out that I had an even bigger problem than someone threatening to kill me. When I walked downstairs, because Nancy had asked me in a very timid tone, I wished someone had killed me...