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“This early?” Derrick asked “Wouldn’t a student wait until class started first?”

He was probably right, but the position of the cops and the fact that people were still dropping off kids along the side of the building didn’t seem towas incredibly off

Silas parked far back in the student lot, almost next to the baseball field They all cli into the school and catching up to a few of the other students going in that direction Heads were turned toward the front of the school No doubt everyone was curious as to as going on

Nathan slowed to create distance from them Silas followed his lead as did Marie

When Marie slowed, Danielle flat stopped “What are we doing here?” she asked Her book bag that seeht it with her elbow “We said we didn’t want to”

Marie waved to her, o with it”

It was the first time Nathan heard Marie speak up to her He was rather proud of that Danielle tended to be over dra how she wanted and often needed to be convinced to change course Her o in with us,” he said, backing up Marie “We’ll explain You wanted out This is what it takes”

Danielle kept her frown but put her book bag back into position on her shoulder and proceeded to walk forith them “This better not be a trick,” she said

“Like one of yours?” Nathan asked and turned from her to head toward the school “No We’re not like that” He bit his tongue, i what he said He was supposed to be befriending them

She flashed hiet his coet it from her later

They entered the far side of the school, the long part that extended around the gym section The hallas mostly clear

“I’ on up front,” Silas said “Bring them to the music room”

Nathan wanted to knoas going on, too, but he agreed He needed to keep the girls focused Unless Mr Blackbourne or someone else said to alter the plan, they needed to stay on course

“We’re not going to class?” Danielle asked

“We’re taking a test,” Marie said

Danielle groaned loudly “You’re kidding me”

Nathan led the way to Music Room B He held open the door for them and closed it behind himself once they were inside

A folding table had been plac

ed in thesat at one of them She shared a wide-eyed look with Nathan but otherwise kept where she ith her hands in her lap

Dr Green stood by the piano with his usual happy expression “Welcoirls and then did a short wave to Nathan “Hey You made it”

“What’s all this?” Danielle asked

Dr Green picked up a couple of manila files There were na “I need you two to do o to hos”

“I thought we didn’t have to go to class,” Marie said, looking over at Nathan for confirmation

Dr Green held a palm over his heart “I promise, it’s just to homeroom We need your teachers to mark you present That’s the report that ensures you’ve arrived and gets you off the phone call list After that, you’ll co to co to stay here and do the same”

Nathan hadn’t been aware of this part, but in a way, perhaps it was for the best If Sang illing to go along with it, it irls in line

It was almost a complete waste of time for her but maybe it was better like this She’d be safe today, out of the way of whatever was going on

Sang had a cup filled with pens and pencils that looked like it ca it along in case Marie and Danielle hadn’t brought anything She took one of the pencils fro a couple of pencils in a bun Where was her clip? She lose it?

The bell rang, indicating everyone on ca to homeroom Dr Green checked his phone and then waved to Marie and Danielle “Reet back”

Danielle and Marie left their bags, and they walked out together Their heads tilted toward one another, whispering

Sang popped up out of her seat as soon as they were gone “Did you see North’s Jeep? What’s going on out there?”