Chapter 2

Just as the operator picked up, the mob reached the door, throwing their bodies against it.

"Hailey! Get the hell out here!"

"Hailey, you promised you'd apologize! Don't back out now! Just come out!" Chloe's voice echoed.

I pressed my back against the door and yelled back.

"I've called the police! They're on their way! You'd better stop!"

My warning only enraged Brenda. She threw her entire weight against the wooden door.

She was massive, and the preschool doors were cheap. Within two minutes, the lock gave way, and the door flew open.

I was knocked to the floor as she burst in.

Brenda’s eyes were completely vacant of reason. She mounted me, pinning my arms down, and began slapping me across the face with terrifying force. "You bitch! You think you can play games with me?!"

My ears rang, and my face felt like it was on fire.

The blood from my cheek smeared across her hands and got rubbed all over my face with every blow.

I didn't even need a mirror to know my face was a bloody mess.

When she finally grew tired of hitting me, she panted heavily and began tearing at my shirt.

"If you won't strip yourself, I'll do it for you!"

I thrashed under her, but my shirt ripped open.

Through the doorway, several parents were holding up their phones, recording the entire thing.

My consciousness was slipping, and tears of utter helplessness rolled down my temples.

Just then, the distant wail of police sirens echoed from the street.

4

"Who called 911?"

I heard an officer's voice outside the main entrance.

Then, Logan's voice replied, "Oh, nobody! No one called. It must have been a prank call."

"Yes, officer, everything is perfectly fine here. Just a false alarm," Chloe chimed in, her voice sweet and helpful.

The two of them lied through their teeth.

And of all the parents and coworkers standing outside, not a single person spoke up to tell the police I was trapped in here.

The officers seemed skeptical, but they sounded like they were preparing to leave.

Panic seized me. I don't know where the strength came from, but I reached up, grabbed Brenda’s arm, and sank my teeth into her flesh as hard as I could!

"Ahhhhh!"

She screamed in agony.

The taste of warm copper filled my mouth, but I bit down harder, refusing to let go.

"You bitch! Let go of me!" Brenda went wild, using her free fist to repeatedly hammer my head.

But I held on.

The commotion finally drew the officers' attention. I heard heavy footsteps approaching the classroom.

Chloe and Logan were still trying to block them.

"Really, it's nothing! Just a kid who fell and is crying!"

"Yes, we've got it under control. Don't waste your valuable time, officers."

Hearing them right outside the door, I finally let go of Brenda’s arm.

With the last bit of energy in my lungs, I screamed, "Help! In here!"