It was about 2 o’clock in the afternoon, mid January, with the rain lashing on the window panes and the biting wind howling outside when the stranger first arrived. Walking down the streets with resolute determination he headed towards the school …
Lacey stood frozen, her fingers pressed to the cold, rain-streaked glass. Questions flooded her mind – where was he going? What did he seek at the school? A shiver travelled down her spine. The figure paused and turned to unzip the bag. It was then that she saw his face – completely masked by a black balaclava. She shuddered…he was definitely up to something, Lacey was sure of it. She peered through the grimy glass, observing the man’s every move. He fumbled in his bag and finally brought a mobile phone. He then continued walking until he reached the towering padlock gates of the school and halted. The gates were locked at the weekend, programmed by an electronic code. After checking the phone screen, he replaced it in his bag before quickly typing a sequence of numbers. Seconds later, the gates creaked open. The stranger paused and surveyed his surroundings stealthily before proceeding.
Adrenaline rushed through Lacey and her hands began to shake. How had he gotten that code? Why was he going to the school at the weekend? She racked her brains for answers unsuccessfully. What was she going to do? She couldn’t just sit back and forgot what she had just witnessed. The way he had looked around before entering was highly suspicious. Lacey sighed in despair, what was she to do – follow him? Her parents were out and wouldn’t get back for hours. If that was what she was to do, they wouldn’t find out. She made up her mind, not even pausing to debate the consequences. She then pulled on her boots and rushed out of the house, gripping her buttoned coat tightly.
Lacey groaned as a gust of wind sent pellets of icy rain into her face. Still, she trudged determinedly towards the back of her school. If she wanted to find out what was going on she would have to remain undetected. To do this, Lacey was going to use the back entrance. She crept quietly down the stairs and found herself standing in the stale basement. The walls were peeling, the floor mouldy and a damp scent hung in the air. Suddenly, she heard a shrill, piercing scream…
Lacey swung around in fright, and her pulse began to race. She felt her heart hammering in her chest. Her eyes fell upon the view in front of her and her racing pulse stopped. There lying in front of her was the secretary, Miss Watkins – her hands chained to the wall, her hair dishevelled, her complexion paler than ever. The stranger knelt by her side, grasping a sharp glinting object. Terror flashed through his eyes and he lunged at Lacey with the knife. What happened next was blurred. The last thing Lacey remembered was her head colliding with the floor. Her world then turned black… she was gone.
