Scarlett Brown - The Half Witch

Chapter Fifteen

Once again we were gathered in the auditorium for the headmaster's speech. This room had become a symbol of bad luck for me and I couldn't wait for it to be over.

I felt eyes on me every step that I took, I was nervous and tried to hide away from the eyes that I mostly felt but never actually saw. Due to the incident that had taken place the last time we were all gathered here it felt unnerving being here, of course it was probably all in my head because people have already forgotten about it, or so I had hoped. Many of the students were chatting away some about their upcoming tests, latest gossip who did what at the last party and others mumbled about Jasmine's situation. I breathed out calming myself, nothing will happen today.

After a few minutes more of waiting Mr. Brown and his deputy walk up to the stage to address us. Mr Brown spoke about Jasmine's incident, there were no leads or any indication of what happened to her. Apparently nobody knew of anything but thankfully she was alive.

"I'm glad to announce that Ms White is now in better health but unfortunately still not fit enough to join us once more. As I said we still do not know what caused her incident and because of that I plead to you all to take care and be extra careful with what you do and where you go that's not within the school grounds."

"I would like to also ask that whoever sees any suspicious activity or person to please let us know. We can prevent any future incidents if you report your suspicion and perhaps save a life. Thank you all for coming you may leave"

He stepped down and with his vice and walked out through the back door. Amanda, Hanna and I walked out but stopped outside when Hanna said we should wait for Jacob, she had something to give him.

While waiting for Jacob we saw Mr Brown walk towards us I silently prayed that he hadn’t seen me and would walk past us but not such luck, Mr Brown walked straight towards us. "Good morning." He smiled at us all briefly before turning to me, "Ms Brown may I have a word please."

"Yes Sir" He walked forward I turned to Amanda to ask for help I was not comfortable being alone with anyone, anything could happen. "Go I'll follow you." She whispered to me. I followed Mr Brown to his office feeling a bit at ease knowing that she was outside the door in case anything happens

"Please have a seat" He settled himself then looked at me. "I just wanted to follow up Ms Brown about our last conversation. I haven't heard any report of your episodes, has anything happened since the last time we spoke?"

"No sir nothing has happened"

"So they just stopped?" He didn't seem to trust what I just said.

"Yes I haven't seen or heard from her since our last talk." He was sceptical and rightly so because far worse things have happened since I last spoke to him.

He cleared his throat, leaned forward and looked at me straight in my eyes. "Ms Brown I hope that you are not lying to me because all I want to do is help you and I can't help you if you don't tell me what goes on with you." I don't know what he was aiming for but his demeanour only managed to make me trust him even less.

I put on my best poker face and looked back at him just the same, "I'm sorry that you feel that way sir, but nothing has happened since we last spoke. I thank you for your help but it's all over now." I made a show of smiling at him to finish off.

He sighed then pulled himself back unfortunately spilling some papers on the floor. He shuffled them roughly instead of picking them up which resulted in him getting a paper cut.

"Oh damn" He muttered quietly to himself. Within seconds my nostrils were filled with the smell of his blood. I shifted in my seat uncomfortably my first thought was to pounce on him but I tried holding myself back.

"If that is all sir may I leave? " I said through gritted teeth. He looked up at me like he had forgotten that I was there. "Yes yes Ms Brown you may leave"

I rushed out of that office as fast as humanly possible. I found Amanda stationed on the side of the door with a knife hidden behind her back. "What happened, why do you look so pale?" she moved us away from Mr Brown's office.

"I-wwell he uhm," I took a few deep breaths to calm my self. I was shaking at this point I had to stop and take a few deep breaths to clear my head and calm my heart. "He had a paper cut and the blood just got me a bit weird." she nodded in understanding.

We walked on making our way out of the building towards our room when my phone rang. It was Hanna, amidst all that had happened I didn't realise she wasn't with us "Hanna?" I was met with silence. The phone crackled a bit then it cut.

"That was weird" I said out aloud.

"What?" Amanda asked

"Hanna called but said nothing. Her phone crackled a bit and then it cut. Do you think she is okay"

"I don't know, I had left her behind waiting for Jacob when I followed you to Mr Brown's office. I didn't think to check on her."

"Maybe I should try to call her" I called back but it cut straight away. I tried again but still nothing. I didn't want to worry Jeswing was supposed to be a safe place for us students but after Jasmine's incident I couldn't help my mind getting carried away.

"Let me try Jacob" I said. It rang for a while and then he picked up. "Hey Jacob is Hanna with you?"

"No we were supposed to meet up after the meeting but I got held up with something when I got outside none of you were there."

"I got called into Mr Brown's office Amanda said she left Hanna waiting for you. I tried calling her but she isn't picking up can you let me know if you see her please."

"Okay no problem I'll ask around and see who last saw her. I'll let you know if I get anything."

"Okay Thanks Jacob"

Amanda and I reached our room. I didn't want to imagine the worst but bad things just keep happening it was impossible not to.

"Scarlett come look at this" Amanda called out to me. On top of Hanna's bed was an envelope. She took it out slowly being careful. A small note was inside "It says "Come clean or else Hanna will pay the price" " Amanda read out. My heart dropped at this, I couldn't imagine Hanna being tortured or worse being killed because of me.

I sat down on the bed feeling a bit sick." I'll go call Stewart." Amanda said leaving the room.

Who was this person and what did they want? The many questions kept going on and on in my head until I felt dizzy. Why did they have to kidnap Hanna, to scare well it really worked. The whole “my life is in danger” thing has no just become my reality. I wanted to give myself up in exchange for the petite girl I had grown to love so much.

This just goes to prove that Amanda was right, my life truly was in danger it’s me that they wanted and they would go through any lengths to get it if the attacks on the students was their doing I should be fearful. I had to make it all stop I needed to save my life and the life of those around me.

I don't think I'd bear it if anything were to happen to Hanna. It was thanks to Hanna that I didn't feel too bad about Grams bringing me to Jeswing. With everything that was going on she had become my source of strength without knowing it and now I had to be that for her.