It Comes In Three's

Chapter 91

Lottie’s POV

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Bonu

07:3

“I can wait with you until he comes if you want? But I have the dentist at half past so I might be short for time!” Anna checks her watch, as we both look around for Alex car.

He’s not here yet… he’s usually never late…

“No, no! I’ll be fine to wait here honestly! He won’t be far! Head to the dentist you don’t want to miss your appointment.” I shoo Anna away, as she nods gratefully.

“Yeah, ok! Text me when he’s here at least? I’ll see you tomorrow morning again!” Anna chimes, as she walks off towards her own car – as I wave.

I slump down onto the school steps, noting that it was now ten past three…I know it’s only ten minutes, but for a man who never forgets about anything or who is never late… this wasn’t like him.

I suddenly remember my phone, as I fish it out of my bag cursing myself silently having not thought of checking it sooner!

No doubt there will be a missed call or a text on here to explain why he’s late…

I finally find it, unlocking it to check, only to find no notifications? That’s weird?

I squint down at the phone, confusion seeping in as I click to open my text messages with Alex from earlier. He still hadn’t read or responded to the text I sent him before English?

or sent someone else…

If he wasn’t able to pick me up today, he would have at least told me so or

I decide to call him, giving him the benefit of the doubt as he’s a busy man these days. Perhaps he got caught up in a meeting?

The call rings, before ringing some more, as I listen to its endless sound – praying for his voice to fill up the line.

This seriously isn’t like him!

The call soon sends me to voicemail, as an unsettling feeling creeps into my gut, what do I do now?

I decide to shoot him another text, seeing that it was after quarter past now… I could call Anna to come back for me, but if she did, she would miss her dentist appointment.

It’s not worth the bother…

“Hey I’m outside waiting for you, did you get caught up in something? I’ll start walking, it’s a nice day. Call me when you can?”

1 send the text, before standing to my feet deciding it was my only reasonable option to walk. I don’t mind walking, however I preferred to have company when I did walk places.

I plod my way down the path, leaving the school grounds, certain that I know my way home from here… although it will probably take me some time

on foot!

Thankfully, some other kids were still leaving, which meant that the streets weren’t quiet and uncomfortable to walk through either!

I’ll head into the main town, that way I know for certain how to get home from there rather than doing short cuts through different streets or parks….

I continue to glance at my phone every minute, curious as to why Alex had totally forgotten to pick me up today. I mean, he was the one who had reminded me twice today that he would pick me up at three?

1 sigh, feeling like a brat, as I try to remain calm and collected in this situation.

I glance down at my bare legs, grimacing at how naked I looked now that I was away from the school – with no other cheerleaders nearby to help justify my outfit

People would certainly think that I was just wearing this for the sake of showing off my body..

The group of younger teens ahead of me soon turn down onto another street, leaving me to walk by myself now in the direction of the town.

Bonus

07:36 © 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

Maybe I can stop for a coffee and a cake whilst I wait for Alex there instead of walking the whole way back? I think on the idea, shrugging to myself as I continue on down the pavement.

I’m thankful for the fresh air and warm sun, making my walk all the more bearable, before I groan loudly, noticing that my shoe lace had come undone.

Great!

I bend down to fix the lace, tying it tighter than usual to avoid the mishap again. I then decide to redo the other shoe, now feeling it’s looseness in comparison to my recently tied sneaker.

It is only during tying my second lace, that I notice a presence standing across the other side of

My head cranks around slowly, an eerie chill running up my spine, as my eyes land on the hooded person – frozen in their steps and staring straight

over at me.

in shead…

ne walker up

I force myself to stand, looking around at my surroundings before becoming thankful to the elderly dog

I trust my instinct, and begin to quicken my steps down the street, knowing that I wasn’t far now from the bustling town centre.

If I make it there, I can just wait for Alex, then I be fine!

I look back over my shoulder, noticing that the individual remained on the opposite side – however had also started to quickly walk – heightening my anxiety,

I catch up to the dog walker, as she turns to offer me a polite smile – which I force back.

Th–Those are lovely dogs!” I stutter, making small talk with the lady – taking full comfort in her presence.

At least if anything happened to me, she could be a witness!

I curse myself mentally for thinking such a dark thought, completely ignoring what the lady had said in response as my mind clouded with panic.

I turn back to find the hooded person again, now crossing the road to be on the same side of the street as us, as I politely say my goodbyes and rush off again.

I walk on, my steps turning to a slight jog, before I turn back to make sure that the individual hadn’t caused the elderly woman any hassle…

When turni

turning, I notice that the hooded stalker had indeed, passed the lady, and like myself, was now basically jogging to catch up with me,

My breathing hitches in my throat, panic severing through me now… I’m being chased!

I begin running, only around the comer now from the town centre, as I don’t waste time on looking back

This person could be anybody! This could be the person helping Tommy to send me letters for all I know! They could be dangerous!

Why did I ever decide to walk home alone?! Especially after knowing that there was a potential risk to my safety following the letters!

I rush on, my strides becoming a sprint, before I see the first row of town shops up ahead….

I glance back one last time, only to gasp loudly when seeing that the hooded figure was also running, gaining on me as I push myself to sprint faster.

They were careful on never showing their face as they held their hood up tightly keeping their identity a secret – causing my fear to skyrocket.

–

I panic, seeing a familiar pub come into view, as rush across the road–causing a car to honk loudly and slam its brakes on me as I run without looking…

I continue on, ignoring the enraged driver for my own safety, before I push open the bar doors– entering the smoky room filled with drunken middle aged men.

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A few of them eye me as I enter some creepily and others in concern.

I rush my way through, before my eyes land on the man in question – tears brimming my eyes with hope that I had reached some sort of safety

07:33

“Lottle? What are you doing in here without Alex? He wouldn’t want you here! Especially dressed like that!” Freddie instantly notices me as I approach, his eyes widening as he cleans a glass.

“1-1 m… I’m in trouble… I need help!” I pant for air, my eyes leaking with fresh tears as the reality of what had just happened sinks in.

That person was after me… who are they? Why did they follow me home from school?

1 turn towards the door, thankful that they hadn’t yet entered the bar, as my heart pounds nonetheless in fear that they could be waiting outside for me still

1 can’t leave here… not on my own.

“Come take a seat in the lounge, tell me what the fuck is going on before Alex storms in here and kills us all! Freddie gestures for me to follow him, as I do so, thankful to be hidden away now in a more private section of the bar

I take a seat on one of the stools, before Freddie offers me a water–which I take and drink instantly–my lungs and legs both on fire from the run.

“Where is Alex? You shouldn’t be in here alone! Freddie scolds, as I nod and continue to breathe.

“I… he’s… I don’t know!” I gasp, the tears spilling down my cheeks as my skin grows hot and irritated with panic.

“Shhh missy! Calm down and take your time! What’s happened? Did you and Alex have a fall out? If so, I’m afraid you can’t be hiding out in here! He will rip my head off!” Freddie states, evidently dumbfounded as to why I had came here of all places.

“Alex was… supposed to… pick me up from school.. but he didn’t come… I haven’t heard from him… so I started to walk. 1 pant out in broken sentences, as Freddie squints and nods in an attempt to understand me

“When I was… walking home… someone began to… follow me… they had dark clothes, and their hood up so I couldn’t see their face… I started to walk faster… then I started to run… and they ran after me… until I ran in here!” I place my hands on my knees, allowing myself time to catch my breath.

Freddie remains silent for a moment, before seeming to curse under his breath

“Ok–ok…just stay hack here… you’ll be safe here… I’ll try to phone same of Alex men and let them know what’s happened to you if we can’t get through to Alex himself ok? Freddie tells me, as I gulp and nod – thanking him quietly.

you need anything I’ll be out front behind the bar ok? Keep trying to call him.” He instructs, as I nod and watch him sigh before leaving me behind

in here.

What the hell just happened…?

I wipe my wet face furiously, irritated by the encounter and irritated that Alex had left me without warming that he wouldn’t be picking me up!

I retrieve my phone, my heart sinking when seeing that there was still no sign of contact from him, as I hammer out a quick text to Anna telling her where I was and what had happened…

She will be in the dentist already, but maybe she could pick me up when she gets out?

I just want to go home now… I want to be safe..