I sat, restless and excited, watching the clock tick second by second. My jailer, Mr.Tanner was sat at the front of the classroom, studying some paperwork quietly. He had been doing so for the last fifty minutes.

I was not alone, there were other inmates with me for the detention. Unfortunately, it was the worse group possible. Madison, Lisa, and James were all clustered in seat’s close together whilst I was an outlier, choosing a seat with a view of the door, the clock, and Mr.Tanner. Though I could not see them, I could, however, hear them. The soft sounds of their whispers and the occasional muffled chuckle sounded out.

I was honestly surprised Tanner didn’t say anything, I mean it was definitely audible to him. I guess he wasn’t so strict regarding that, which was strange as Mr.Tanner was known for being rather strict. Perhaps he was just too focused on his work to care or notice. Regardless, it wasn’t exactly my problem, so I just continued watching the clock tick away whilst the snickering continued.

I was anticipating my date...wait was it a date? Could I really describe it as such? I’d say it was, but I wasn’t presumptuous enough to say it meant anything….yet at least. Sure I knew she liked me, I thought she was pretty enough, but I wasn’t sure I was interested. It was a confusing situation, I wasn’t used to being social in any sort of way. I had distanced myself for a reason, for several reasons actually. Some of those reasons were seated behind me right now n fact. It probably wasn’t a good idea to start involving myself again, I tended to have troublesome situations follow me when I went down that path.

The clock finally indicated that the time was 4 pm, and I was eager to leave. A large, exaggerated cough sounded out behind me.

“Mr.Tanner, It’s 4 o’clock now. Can we leave?” James asked.

“Hmm? Oh yes, yes you can go now. Madison...Clay wait a moment please.” Mr. Tanner replied, looking up from his work.

This didn’t bode well. Additional detention perhaps? I’d find out soon enough, as I walked over to Mr.Tanner, Madison a few steps behind, as Lisa and James went outside and waited.

“I understand that you two have some issues with one another. Regardless of those problems, you should not allow that to affect your professionalism, especially regarding academia.” Mr.Tanner paused, taking a sip of water before continuing. “Overcoming personal problems is very important to building character. I’ve spoken to your other teachers and they are in agreement. Any classes you share where group projects or work takes place, you two shall be paired together - for the rest of the year.”

Oh great. Just great. Let’s just antagonize the situation shall we, what a fantastic idea Mr.Tanner!

I could feel the unbridled indignation ebbing from my left.

“Sir! Please. We’d both rather not be party to such a restriction. If anything, surely this has shown we are unreliable teammates to one another, surely this would damage our studies rather than aid them? Please reconsider.” Madison spoke clearly and eloquently, but under the surface of her words, there was clear derision towards the idea.

I was in agreement with her - what a stupid idea.

“Sir, I agree. Putting us together is no way to encourage improvement. It will cause more issues than it fixes, we have a dysfunctional relationship and forcing us to be together more than necessary will just aggravate the situation more.” I spoke my disagreement as well.

Mr.Tanner raised his hand. “Enough, I’ve heard your complaints, they are noted. But it doesn’t change the strategy decided. You may leave now.”

I sighed, as I left the classroom. I passed James and Lisa who was leaning against a wall. Madison followed a few steps behind, and as I walked away I could hear her telling her friends the injustice that had been dealt with her.

“----Tanner said that Clay and I will be forced to work together in any group projects for the rest of the year. He’s trying to ‘build character’ he said.”

I allowed myself a small smile as I heard her recite the character statement. Well, whatever. I couldn’t change it now. Perhaps after a few failed or troublesome projects, Mr.Tanner would relent. That or perhaps I’d be found dead - murdered in a brutal manner by Madison. I joke, of course, If she killed me, she’d make sure my body wasn’t found.

I strolled towards the library, the designated place to meet Claire. It was only then that I thought about the man in the car. He had slipped my mind in the chaos of the last few days. Would it be dangerous for Caire if she was seen with me? I didn’t know what the man wanted with me, he had been watching for several months now without doing anything.

I really did need to find out what was up with that, but that a problem for later. I had a bigger, more front facing issue currently.

I had now entered the library and was searching. I saw a brown head hunched over at a table, there were a few other students scattered about, but I could recognize that hair from a mile away. Okay that sounded a little creepy, but it was true - Claire had a lush mane of brown hair that was really excellent.

I walked towards her, noting how she was focused on reading from some sort of book. Her brow was furrowed and I enjoyed the way she tucked some of her long, brown hair behind her ear. She was beautiful, but as I thought that, the doubts on the situation came crawling back. Was it a really a good idea?

“Hey Claire, you ready to go?” I asked.

Claire jumped and slammed shut the book she had been reading from as if it was a porn mag or something.

“Uhh yeah, yes.” She responded, brushing the stray strands of hair that had been disturbed by her sudden jumping.

I really needed to work on how I approached people, considering everytime I initiated conversation with Claire she jumped in surprise. It was probably due to my lack of social experience in recent years. It would get better with time, surely.

“Let me grab my things, I’ll meet you out front?” She asked.

“Sure, I’ll see you there.”

I didn’t question why she didn’t seem to want me to accompany her while she did what she needed to do, I just assumed perhaps she needed to make a trip to the ladies room. Instead, I decided to just head out of the building and wait.

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Winter was here now, the frosty cold air was biting. Claire and I had strolled at a brisk pace towards the high road, where the shops were located. We walked close enough that occasionally our hands touched. I wondered whether this was the time I was supposed to try and hold it, but I didn’t.

Whilst walking, I had scanned the surrounding area, searching for the man in the car. His absence was particularly noticeable due to the seeming lack of subtly he had shown in the previous months when he followed me. This was strange. Perhaps he had thought I slipped out of school already and was searching, but that didn’t make much sense. Any time I stayed at school for a time longer than expected, he had waited outside for me. So I couldn’t help but wonder if something was up.

I kept these thoughts twisting and turning around in my head as we entered a popular coffee shop. The room was warm, filled with a variety of people basking in the cozy atmosphere. Many flocked here during the winter, taking shelter from the icy cold winds that terrorized town during the season.

I liked it here, though I wasn’t fond of the crowds, the scene was a comfortable space so I often overlooked it. It was one of the few spaces that I frequented in recent years, I didn’t tend to head out to places much, after, you know, being made a pariah.

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Sometime later, Claire and I were strolling casually down the high road. We had sat and talked for several hours in the coffee shop, over hot drinks in the comfortable atmosphere. I had eventually let my guard down some, allowing myself to open up a little. I enjoyed the talking, it was nice… it was different.

I liked the change in pace, I liked learning about Claire, and I enjoyed telling her about myself too. It took a little while to break through that awkwardness present from not knowing one another very well, but once it did, the conversation flow was really good.

Overall I would say it was a success. I had a good time, and I think Claire did too.

It was dark outside now, though it was still early enough. I had offered to walk Claire home, it felt chivalrous to do and I had seen it done in the movies, but she kindly declined.

“Oh, It’s okay, I’ll be fine. Thank you though. Really, today was great.” She said as she flashed an award-winning smile.

“Well, if you're sure. I’ll drop you a text later. It was nice, perhaps we could do it again sometime.” I responded. It felt like a good response, I was subtly implying that another date was on my agenda, and she seemed to get the message.

“Bye. See you tomorrow.” She said finally, turning around and walking in the opposite direction that I would be headed.

I watched her retreating figure for a few moments until she stole a glance backward and met my gaze. I blushed, and turned away suddenly, heading for home.

I left the high street rapidly, the chill in the air trying to penetrate my bones. I didn’t notice how cold it really was before, I mean, it seemed to suddenly be freezing. I shivered. It was actually ridiculous at how cold it had suddenly become. Sure it was winter, but it was just turning from autumn.

I turned another corner, taking a shortcut through an alley that cut between two streets. It was a long and isolated path, the growth of trees on either side forming a tall extension to the brick and mortar walls.

As I was halfway down the pathway, a car suddenly pulled up at the end. This was somewhat of a concern, this alley was a known hotspot for muggings, but I had hoped it was still early enough to avoid such trouble. Two men got out of the car and started walking toward me. Their appearance was formal, both men were suited and wore black shades concealing their eyes. This put me at rest a little, no common thief would walk around dressed so conspicuously.

When the second car pulled up behind me, the tires screeching as the car came to a stop, I didn’t see it but the sound was clear and apparent.

I was really confused, now.

I kept walking, trying to be as casual as possible, and just before we met, the two men in black suits stopped in front of me, spreading to block the path. I come to halt and glance at the new obstacle.

Mentally, I was preparing myself, I’ll give them what they wanted and come out of this encounter at least breathing and relatively unharmed. No possession was more precious than my life, after all.

“Mr. Cooper. Let’s not play any games and get to the point shall we...Where is it?” The voice came from behind, each word drawn out longer than necessary.

I was surprised when my name was called and I spun to see the speaker, another man dressed in similar attire to the two in front.

“What? Where is what? I’m sorry, I don’t understand.” I stammer. I must admit I was quite nervous at the situation. “Listen, I don’t want any trouble.” I hold my hands up in placation and to show my intention of non-violence.

“There will be no trouble if you simply give it up. The Crest. Pass it over now.” The man responded.

His two companions, now to my rear, started edging closer. I could sense their slow but steady advance, glimpsing the movement in the corner of my eye. What was this crest? Why did they think I had it? Was this because of the other day, was it Mark’s doing?

Cold sweat was trickling down my back, the frozen chill in the air was no longer bombarding my skin, if it was I could no longer feel it as heat flushed across my body. My breath became shallow and hastened. How I wished now that I had pushed harder to walk Claire home, or that I had taken another route on the way back to mine.

It was an unfortunate circumstance, a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. That was all, I was sure.

“Look, you can have my phone. I have nothing in my wallet of value to you. I don't know what a crest is...Just take it, man, I don’t want any trouble. Just take it.” I must admit I was shaken. I tried offering what I had of value, hoping to placate these well-dressed robbers.

“Fine, have it your way. If you don’t want to hand the Crest over, we will take it.” The man who had spoken thus far spoke, reaching into his pocket to grab something.

Then suddenly…

CRASH!!!