Chapter 12 Themes: Mentions of gun violence, bullying, threats Liam's Perspective Something was up. Screaming echoed through the halls of the school. The Elites' feet pounded on the tile floor as they ran past me. Mysterious laughter bounced off the walls and played with my fight-or-flight defense. What was going on? The only thing I could think of was that Joseph was up to something. Then I remembered what he had said to me that day in the cafeteria. Suddenly, I realized people weren't just running around for no logical reason. They were chasing something invisible. And the only thing I knew that roamed the halls of Wilbur Academy that couldn't be seen was Sara. This had something to do with Amelia. "Amelia!" I called. I ran through the corridors desperately, my mind racing even faster than my legs. "Amelia, where are you?!" Finally, I turned down the hallway that held the 8th grade English classroom. There I found Joseph and Amelia. "What are you doing!?" I screeched at the bully. Joseph stomped over to me and glared a hole through my face. "None of your business, Campbell." "Actually, I think it IS my business since you're harassing my friend," I countered. "Girlfriend, you mean," Joseph smirked. That was the last straw. Even though he was older than me, I still shoved him. "Man, what is your PROBLEM!?" "Sara Wilbur is. If your girlfriend Ava hadn't started hanging out with her, this wouldn't be happening." "My name is AMELIA!!!" Amelia blurted out from behind Joseph. As quick as a flash, Joseph grabbed his backpack, ripped it open, and pulled a gun out of his pack. He twisted around and pointed it at Amelia. "What did you say your name was?" he said in a threatening voice. Amelia's eyes widened. "Wh-where did you get that from?" "My brother," Joseph answered dismissively. "Y-your brother?" I stammered. "Oh, yeah, that's right. I forgot to mention...I'm Gill Marcus's brother." "WHAT!?" Amelia screeched. "You didn't actually think my last name was Mare, did you? That was just a cover," Joseph smirked. We were frozen in fear, so Joseph continued to explain. "Gill knew the ghost would get in the way, so he enrolled me in Wilbur Academy so I could get rid of the ghost and he could get back in. He couldn't use my real name, though, or the staff would grow suspicious. So he officially dubbed me Joseph Mare. Now all his hard work is finally paying off." "Y-you can't do this!" Amelia exclaimed. "Of course I can. I'm Joseph Mare, brother of Gill Marcus! I can do anything I please!" Joseph cackled. "No, you can't, you big BULLY!!!" I screamed. I threw myself at him and started throwing punches. I was fed up with him. He had treated the students of Wilbur Academy terribly for too long. I heard Amelia shriek behind me faintly, but I was too caught up in the fighting to hear it. And that's when I felt the bullet plunge into my soul. Author's note: This was so fun to write! Sorry about the cliffhanger, and see y'all next time! <3
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