Chapter 95 Paxton
The student's expression shifted in an instant, the warmth draining from his face so fast Bianca could almost see it happen. She frowned slightly, but forced down her irritation and kept her voice low.
"I'm her cousin. She hasn't been returning my messages..."
"If she hasn't contacted you, she's probably up to something she doesn't want anyone to know about. I've never seen her. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to get inside and grab my books." His tone was clipped, his gaze edged with open disdain.
Bianca didn't understand the sudden chill in his manner, but she stepped aside all the same.
He brushed past her with a cold snort, his shoulder bumping hers deliberately before he strode into the classroom.
Her phone vibrated again.
She snatched it up, fingers trembling as she swiped to answer—accidentally hitting the speaker button.
Jasmine's voice burst into the empty classroom, high and panicked.
"Bianca, Blair's locked me in the bathroom in the old school building. I... I'm scared. It's so dark here, and... and there are strange noises."
The fear in her voice hit Bianca like a punch to the chest, quickening her breath.
"Jasmine, stop it! Blair would never do something like that!" The boy with the books flushed red, glaring at the phone as if he could burn a hole straight through it.
Startled by the outburst, Jasmine's voice wavered. "Bianca... is someone there with you?"
Bianca's gaze turned to steel as she looked at the student. "Shut up."
The words were sharp enough to cut.
His lips pressed into a thin line. Realizing he'd actually flinched from her, shame and anger flickered in his eyes. He opened his mouth to speak again, but Jasmine's choked sobs cut him off.
"Bianca! I... I think someone's here. I'm so scared. Please, come get me."
Her voice cracked, thick with tears, each word broken by shaky breaths.
"I'm in... I'm in the old... old school building—"
The line went dead.
Bianca's fingers shook so hard she almost dropped the phone.
"Jasmine! Jasmine!" Her voice rose, frantic, but there was only the cold, mechanical tone of a call cut off.
Her chest constricted. She didn't think—she just ran.
"Wait!" The boy's voice rang out behind her.
She ignored him, her mind locked on Jasmine.
"You even know where the old school building is? You're going the wrong way." His voice was as cold as water poured down her spine.
Bianca stopped dead. The softness in her eyes was gone, replaced by fire.
"What are you trying to pull?"
"I'll take you." He tossed the books onto a desk and strode toward her. "I'm not trying anything. Blair would never do what Jasmine said. There's a misunderstanding, and I need to clear it up. I won't let anyone drag her name through the dirt."
Bianca frowned.
It sounded ridiculous, but she needed someone who knew the way. For now, at least, they wanted the same thing—find Jasmine.
He didn't wait for her reply, just headed off at a brisk pace.
The old school building was long abandoned. The corridor lights flickered weakly, the glass panes in the windows rattling in the wind. Dust coated everything, and the air carried a damp, stale chill.
Somewhere in the shadows, an insect made a rasping noise—maybe the "strange sound" Jasmine had mentioned.
Even Bianca felt a chill crawl up her spine as they stepped inside.
Every so often, a draft slipped through, brushing past their ears like a whisper from something unseen.
"I... I'm Paxton," he said suddenly, his Adam's apple bobbing. "How could Jasmine even think of coming here alone?"
"She wouldn't. Someone lured her here." Bianca's voice was flat, edged with impatience.
Paxton bristled. "It couldn't have been Blair. She's the kindest person I know. Even if Jasmine was telling the truth, someone must have been using her name."
Bianca let out a low, quick laugh, then strode past him, her eyes darting over the surroundings, tense and alert for the slightest sound out of place.
They reached the far end of the corridor. A faint sound reached them—soft sobbing, so quiet it could have been imagined.
"You hear that?" Paxton's arms wrapped around himself, his steps hesitant. "A woman crying?"
"Shut up." Bianca's glare cut him off.
She wanted to ditch him—he was too loud.
The sobbing grew clearer as they neared the farthest bathroom on the second floor. The sign above the door was corroded, hanging crooked. Inside, Jasmine's cries were sharper now.
Bianca grabbed the mop propped against the door and flung it aside. It clattered to the floor, narrowly missing Paxton.
He stared at the makeshift barricade, the truth finally sinking in. Someone had trapped her.
His jaw tightened.
"Jasmine, don't be afraid!" Bianca called out.
The crying stopped, replaced by a rush of relief. "Bianca! Is that you? You came to get me?"
She pounded on the door from inside, but it didn't budge.
"Stay back, I'll get you out!" Bianca shoved at the door, but even with the obstacle removed, it didn't move.
The impact jarred her arm.
Her eyes narrowed. She kicked it hard. The wood didn't give, holding its secrets.
"It's locked," Paxton said quietly.
Bianca crouched, peering through the gap. Sure enough, the lock was in place.
Paxton's face was pale now. He didn't like Jasmine, but even he had to admit—this was deliberate. Someone wanted her stuck in here.
The building was deserted, forgotten. Cold. Isolated. No one would come looking. A person could be left here for days. Long enough to starve.