The Devil's Gift by Joshua Robinson

Author:Joshua Robinson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Ghost Orchid Press
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

13

After line-up in the chill Monday morning of the playground, students from Years Seven to Nine were led directly into the sports hall. This meant an assembly, but for what, Daniel had no clue.

Chatter filled the hall as the headteacher, Mr Michaels, along with a few others, finished setting up on the main floor below. As Daniel’s eyes glazed over and his ears tuned out all the noise, he thought of Gabriella. How she loved him—bloody hell—and how they were both more than fine with being abnormal, because that was what made them even more special than the rest.

But despite being in awe of Friday morning ever happening, and soaring high on cloud nine, Daniel also thought about how that’d been the last time he’d seen her.

He’d gone to the park on Saturday, aching ‘just to be’ with Gabriella. Only, he couldn’t find her anywhere, not in the morning near lunchtime, or when he went again in the late afternoon. On Sunday, he only got to visit once thanks to a boatload of homework he hadn’t bothered with since eating a basketball. And again, no sign of her.

So where was she?

Mr Michaels tapped the microphone and the customary screech sounded through the hall. “Everyone. Can I have your attention, please?”

The chatter wound down to the odd whisper as students settled and faced forward.

From the corner of his eye, Daniel noticed Matt and Terry glancing back at him. They were seated three rows down in the stands. He hadn’t thought twice about them since Gabriella came to visit, told him that she’d never ever think less of him. Gregory had been miles from his mind too, but he wasn’t with his cronies today. Daniel hadn’t seen him outside, either.

Mr Michaels cleared his throat and adjusted his polka dot tie. “As a few of you may have heard, one of our Year Eight students, Gregory Boyle, has been missing since early Saturday morning. He went out to the shops and never came home, I’m sorry to say. The police have been informed and are currently … ”

Daniel’s gut leapt into his chest, not because it was Gregory, or even that he was missing, but because every fibre in his body knew where he was, deny it as he tried.

I’ll always take care of you. Always.

He shuddered in his seat. Sue Colton gave him a dirty look.

“You’ve no doubt heard this many times,” Mr Michaels went on. “But regardless, it cannot be stated enough, and it’s so simple, so basic. Always be careful when dealing with strangers … ”

Strangers?

What kind of stranger grabbed a kid first thing in the morning?

Not to mention that Gregory lived right by the main road. That was where the shops were: by the busy road. Still, Mr Michaels prattled on about how best to act and what to say to them if they did initiate contact, advice that took Daniel straight back to primary school.

Stranger Danger! Stranger Danger!

But the only real danger was Gabriella, the only one that made sense, anyway.

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