Page 131 of Finding Strength

“Do you need to just sit for a while? Maybe walk? Stretch? A massage?” He says wiggling his eyes.

I chuckle at him. “Rest for now. No. No. No.”

“You got it, Sunshine. Want a drink or anything?”

“No thanks, I’ve got electrolytes in my water,” I tell him, finishing my granola bar.

“Are those the same ones you made us for the tournament?” He asks.

“Almost. I added blueberries this time. Want one? I made a whole batch,” I offer.

“Sure, if you have lots,” he says, grabbing one and passing the container back to E, and everyone ends up grabbing one.

“These are good, Summer,” Jaxon says. “What’s in them?”

“It’s basically a granola bar with added protein and minerals.”

“Cool,” he nods.

“Hey look, the twins are up for the 100m sprint,” Holly says.

I turn around to watch. They’re on the far side of the track, but we are high enough to see well. I stand up as they get set on the starting blocks.

“Go, twins,” I holler. Everyone stands up with me, and as the gun goes off, we cheer them on as loud as we can. Twin one wins, followed closely by twin two. It wasn’t even a close race today. They look over at the stands, surprised at their cheering section.

“I’ve got to go to the washroom,” I tell the guys as Zander climbs back up into the stands. “Has anyone seen them yet?” No one has, and Zander just walked the perimeter and didn’t see anyone either.

“I’ll go with you,” Holly offers.

“Me too,” Seb says.

“Keep your eyes open,” Zander reminds us.

We enter the side hallway past room two, down to the main hall in the complex. “Everything is locked up except the bathrooms inside, so no one can get into anything,” Holly explains as we get to the washroom.

“Okay ladies. I’ll be right outside standing guard,” Seb says, saluting us.

Shaking my head at him, I smile and follow Holly inside. As soon as the door closes, I hear a click and the lights go out. I turn to grab the door handle in a panic, but a cloth covers my mouth and nose that smells sweet. I flinch, but I’m quickly getting weak. Just before I drift off, I hear a voice. “Leave the other one. Bring Summer over here.”

Chapter 47

Zander looks at his watch for the second time. “Something is wrong,” he tells the others. “They’ve been gone too long.”

“There is only one way in and out of the gym,” Alex informs him. Everyone hurries towards the gym complex, entering the side hallway. Zander and E take off running towards the washrooms. As they round the corner, E shouts, so the rest of the guys pick up the pace. Seb is lying on the floor unconscious, and Zander is banging on the bathroom door when they arrive.

“It’s locked,” Zander says. “Alex and Bay run outside and go around to the left side of the gym. See if anyone is around. Jaxon, go outside and head right. Take the far side. Go now,” he yells. The guys take off running.

“He’s not hurt,” E says about Seb, “just unconscious, I think. Shit!” He exclaims.

“I’m heading outside. Are you okay here, E?” Zander asks.

“Go. I’ll stay here with Seb. Find her Zander. I’m calling the principal.” Zander takes off as E makes the call. He tells the principal what’s happening and that they need the girls’ washroom unlocked ASAP. He promises to call the janitor on duty at the school and drive down here.

What feels like hours later, there’s a commotion at the front of the building as E stands up protectively in front of Seb. Zander comes running around the corner. He unlocks the bathroom door and rushes inside. “FUCK!” is screamed in anguish.

Bay comes back, going into the washroom as well. He comes back into the hall minutes later, looking horrified and carrying an unconscious Holly. “The bathroom window is open. She’s gone,” he says.