CHAPTER EIGHT
jenna
The bell rings,signaling that the school day is officially over. The classroom looks good, but I’m making sure to put everything in its place and leave it ready for Monday morning. Plopping myself down into my chair I get to work on all of the tasks I haven’t been able to get to throughout the day. Answering emails, planning and prepping my lessons for the following week, calling parents. I’m on a mission to get this all done, so I won’t have to take it home with me and ruin my weekend plans of doing nothing.
By the time I finish, it’s 7:15 p.m. The sun has set, and the night janitor, Mark, has started cleaning my classroom for the evening. I take that as my signal to head home. Packing my bag, I wave to Mark and make my way out the door.
“Have a great weekend, Jenna. See you Monday!” he says in a cheery voice. Most of the time, I’m the only teacher he sees, since his shift starts at 5 p.m.
I turn to reply, “You too! Tell your wife and that sweet baby of yours hello for me.” With that, I’m on my way to the car, finally free to spend my weekend however I want.
Once I’m outside the front doors of the school, the cold air instantly hits my skin, leaving goosebumps all over my body.This morning, in my hurry, I quickly threw on my favorite green maxi dress, a white cardigan, and my cute sneakers—fashionable and comfortable, but not suitable for this type of weather. I start walking faster to my car, the only one still left in this creepy parking lot. The flickering lights around the parking area give me an anxious, visceral feeling I can’t shake. I glance around the lot, making sure I’m alone, and relax a bit when I don’t see anyone in sight.
I almost drop my keys when the loud sound of a motorcycle roars up the street, startling me. That’s weird—why would anyone be at the school this late at night? Maybe it’s Blaze and Marley, or Cal needing something for Sarah? But that bad feeling sits heavy in my stomach, so I get in my car and lock my doors just as the motorcycle pulls around to the front of the building.
I sit and watch, unable to get a good look at the man’s face when he takes off his helmet, but I focus on what’s on his back. I take a moment, examining the name and the large image of a Reaper with blood dripping from its mouth, covering the back of his leather vest. It looks nothing like the vests Axel and his club were wearing last night. I take out my phone and dial Marley. The man pulls out his phone and looks to be making a call as well, seemingly unaware of my presence just a few yards away.
Marley answers on the second ring. “Hey, Jen, where are you? It’s late, and I already ordered Chinese!” I can imagine her doing a little happy dance at the thought of food.
“I’m still at school, but Mar, I just got into my car, and a guy on a motorcycle who looks to be part of a motorcycle club pulled into the parking lot. I’m the only one here except for the janitor. Do you have any idea why he’d be here this late?” I say, staring at the man. He’s just hung up his call and is getting off his bike. “His cut says Reaper MC on it. Do you know him by chance?”
The gasp on the other end of the line sends a shiver down my spine. Marley’s voice comes through the phone, deathly serious. “Jenna, stay in your car and don’t get out for any reason. Matter of fact start driving here, now!”
I clench my hand into a fist, trying to focus my anxiousness on something else. I hear Marley talking to someone, but it’s not me.
“You’re really starting to freak me out,” I say as the man turns and catches sight of my car. The parking lot is dimly lit, so I’m not sure he can even see me.
“Hey, Teach, can you hear me?” It’s not Marley on the phone anymore; it’s a voice I don’t recognize. “Jenna, my name is Jax. I’m from the club. Can you tell me what you see? What’s going on?”
My throat catches as the man smiles in my direction. Shit, he can totally see me. I look down at my door handle, making sure it’s locked, and glance around for anything in my car I can use to protect myself. I find a stick of deodorant and a phone cord. I make a mental note to remedy my ill-equipped car in the future.
The man sets his helmet down on the seat of his bike and starts to saunter over to my car.
“He’s coming over to the car. I’m going to put you on speaker and set my phone down, okay?” I do what I say without waiting for a response and set the phone face down on my thigh so the man can’t see the light from the screen.
“Jenna, goddammit, don’t open your door. Drive away,” Jax roars through the phone.
But it’s too late. The man is at my window.
The man is a giant—he must be 6’4” and looks like he works out at least three times a day. His biceps are bigger than my head. He bends down, and I notice his extremely greasy long brown hair tied up in a bun and a scraggly beard that really needs to be tended to. He looks at me with eyes as black asthe night, seemingly empty, and a smile that makes my stomach churn.
“Hi, Miss. I hope I didn’t scare you. I’m just looking for someone. Think you can help me?” he says in a deep, scratchy voice.
I take a deep breath to stop my voice from shaking. “I’m sorry. Everyone’s gone home for the night. You might want to check back on Monday.” I’m happy about the window between us, but it honestly doesn’t feel like enough separation.
“Well, shit. I knew it was a little late but thought I’d try anyway,” he says as he scratches his scruffy chin and stands to his full height.
I should start my car, say goodbye, and leave, but something inside me is extremely curious about who he’s here to see.
“Who are you looking for? Maybe I can tell them you were looking for them on Monday,” I say as sweetly as possible.
He eyes me for a minute and then nods. “Her name is Jenna Waters. You know her? I guess she teaches here.”
I think my heart stops in my chest. Why in the world would this man be looking for me? I’ve never seen him in my life.Think, Jenna. Think. Keep talking so he doesn’t get suspicious.
“Oh yeah, I know Ms. Waters. I’ll let her know that Mr.…” I pause for his name.
“Death,” he states.
