Trevor rushed out the door and spotted Fiona, laying on the ground covering her head. “Fiona?” His mouth formed the words but he couldn’t bring himself to say them. Just as he took a step out the door Osburg grabbed Trevor and swung him around to face him.

“You heard him!” Osburg raised his voice glaring at the teenaged boy.

Trevor pushed the man’s hand off his arm. “I’m going to help her.” He replied through clenched teeth.

Osburg laughed, an evil, sickening laugh. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” He turned on his heel and walked away.

Trevor peeked around the corner, Fiona now sat against a wall, grimacing as though she was in pain. He glanced both ways and went up to her. “Are you ok?” His eyes were filled with concern.

“He shot the gun.” She grimaced moving her shoulder. “I think the bullet grazed me.” Her eyes suddenly went wide and her mouth opened.

“It did graze her, but if you don’t follow orders, she might end up worse.” A voice sounded behind Trevor.

He spun around and faced the man. “Let her go.” He stood up, glancing behind the man.

“Why?” He waved his gun at Trevor then Fiona. “She has something I want. Something both Osburg and I want.” The man reached down and yanked Fiona to her feet.

Trevor dodged the gun as the man pulled the trigger. He moved to the side and stayed put. “You better stay there.” The man brought his gun against Fiona’s side. “Or she gets hurt.”

Trevor looked at the man, “Conor.” His voice hardened. “Why don’t you let me take her down to the lower levels.”

Conor looked at Trevor quizically. “Why?” He lowered his gun and his voice went down a notch. “Who’s side are you on?”

Trevor glanced at Fiona and lowered his voice to a whisper. “Who’s side do you think I’m on?” He looked into Conor’s blue-gray eyes.

Conor looked at him. He pushed Fiona down back to the wall, as soon as he released her she bolted. “Get back here, girl!” He raised the gun.

“Wait!” Trevor stepped in front of it. “I’ll get her.” He took off in a run to chase her.

“You better get her back up here, Trevor!” Conor shouted. “Osburg will want to know if you’re really on our side.”

Trevor pounded down the stairs going after Fiona. His heart pounded and thoughts swirled around in his mind. What was he doing? Why did he just betray this poor girl? He stopped gasping for breath as he tried to decide what his next move would be.

***

Fiona stopped, trying to turn the doorknob to an exit door on the last floor. It wouldn’t budge, she panicked. Based on the conversation she had heard, it sounded as though Trevor was going to turn her over to this Osburg man. She kicked the door with her foot, but it only resulted in pain. Her eyes filled with tears as she sunk down next to the door.

She pulled her knees up to her chest and listened. A few minutes earlier she had heard footsteps coming down the stairs, but now it was quiet. She closed her eyes and held back a sob.

Soft footsteps sounded on the stairs again, except slower and quieter. Fiona’s eyes flashed open she slowly stood and pushed herself into a shadowed corner. She saw Trevor’s shadow coming down the rest of the stairs. Fiona quietly wiped tears from her cheeks with the back of her hand. Trevor stopped, from his shadow Fiona could see he had reached into his pocket. He pulled something out, but from her position Fiona couldn’t tell what it was.

She pushed a strand of hair out of her face, her heart pounded inside of her chest. Trevor started to walk towards the door. “She probably got away.” He mumbled. His hand grasped the doorknob and he tried to turn it but it was locked.

Fiona pushed further into the corner, hoping to turn invisible. Trevor turned and locked eyes with her. Fiona stared right at him, tears once again gathered in her eyes. “Why?” She whispered.

Trevor took two steps closer to her. “Please, just trust me.” He reached his hand out. “I can-” His voice broke off as a shout pierced the air.

“Did you get her yet?” Osburg’s voice shouted from the top of the stairwell. “Hurry it up, Trevor!”

“I’ll be there.” Trevor’s reply came, his voice once again transformed to a harsh tone. “Come on, girl! Move it!”

Trevor turned back to Fiona, his hand outstretched towards her again. “Please, Fiona. I know what I’m doing.” Fiona slowly reached to touch his fingers. He grabbed her hand and gently pulled her out of the shadows. His voice lowered to a whisper. “Please, just go along with what I say.” He grabbed her arm and led her back to the stairs.

Fiona followed him up the stairs. When they reached the top they both halted. Trevor opened his palm revealing a knife. “I won’t hurt you, I promise.” He whispered, as he placed his hand with the blade behind her back. “Just go along with what I do, or Osburg might hurt you.”

Fiona turned to look at him. “How do I know you’re not lying?” Her voice cracked and a tear trickled down her cheek.

“Trust me.” He replied before gently pushing her ahead of him. “Got her!” He announced.

Osburg nodded his approval, he holstered his gun. “Tie her up.” He pointed to a room. “I’ll be back.”

Fiona walked into the dim lit room. Trevor strode in front of her. He picked something up off the ground and walked back to her. He bound her wrists together with rope and sat her in a chair.

“Trevor, why are you doing this?” Fiona risked a whisper as he stood in front of her.

He looked at her, Fiona’s hands were now placed in her lap, her eyes were filled with fear, hurt, and confusion. “It’s the only way I could catch these guys.” He whispered in reply.

“Stop squirming!” He raised his voice, then lowered it to a whisper again. “Sorry, I had to shout like that.” 

A male voice sounded outside the room. “Fiona?”

Fiona jumped up from the chair, “Daddy!!” She screamed. Osburg lept over to her and pushed her back down.

“Stay quiet!” He hissed through clenched teeth. He turned to face Trevor. “Make sure she stays quiet.” He pressed something into Trevor’s hand.

Trevor nodded as Osburg stepped outside the room. “Ah, Kyle Mathison.” Osburg’s voice crooned in a low voice.

Trevor stepped behind Fiona and stretched a gag to place on her mouth. Fiona slipped her hands over it when he reached in front of her face. She yanked it down and pulled it away. Fiona jumped up to face Trevor and kicked the chair out of the way. “Dad! I’m in here!” She screamed at the top of her lungs.

Trevor tackled her and they both rolled to the ground. “You better stay quiet.” He whispered as his hands pressed her down.

Osburg appeared at doorway, his face red. “Trevor, I told you to make her be quiet.” His voice was low, deadly. He walked over to Trevor and Fiona. “Get up.” He grabbed Fiona’s arm and pulled her up.

Trevor moved out of the way. His eyes searched for some sort of weapon. Kyle stepped into the room. “Let her go, Osburg.” He held something in his hands, it sparkled and emitted a soft glow.

“First you hand it over, then I’ll let her go.” His hand reached into his pocket and pulled a knife. He held it to Fiona’s throat. “Do it, or else she gets hurt.”

“Don’t do it!” Fiona’s voice came shrill. Osburg jerked her, the blade pressing into her neck.

“Quiet!” He hissed into her ear. His green eyes shifted to Kyle. “Now, hand it over.” He released the knife slightly from Fiona’s throat.

“Dad!!” She managed to call out. “It’s a trap!” She grimaced as Osburg gripped her arm tighter.

“Hand it over!” He shouted, causing everyone to cringe slightly.

Kyle slowly reached his hand out extending the sparkling globe. “Here.” His voice firmed, “Let her go.”

Osburg took the ball in one hand and kept the knife at Fiona’s throat with the other. “Step out into the hall. Start down the stairs. Then she will be let go.” His eyes flashed, holding some sort of secret.

“Don’t, please.” Fiona looked at her father. Her eyes were desperate. “It’s a trap.” Her voice whispered.

“Stay and she won’t get released.” Osburg glared at Kyle. “Go and I’ll release her.”

Kyle slowly stepped out the door he turned and footsteps sounded, slowly descending the stairs. Osburg slowly lowered his knife. As he drew the sparkling globe towards Fiona, the glow grew stronger. “Interesting.” He murmured. “Trevor! Get over here.”

Trevor slowly walked over. “Yes?”

“Hold this.” He handed Trevor the globe. “You drop or break it, you and the girl are dead.” He growled as he released Fiona.

Another pair of footsteps sounded in the stairwell and a gunshot echoed. “Agh!” A muffled shout was heard.

“DAD!!” Fiona screamed and lunged out the door. Her feet flew down the stairs and she slipped down the metal steps. Her heart raced. A man holstered his gun and rushed the rest of the way down the stairs. The door slammed shut at the bottom.

Kyle laid on the ground moaning. A pool of blood surrounded his shoulder. Fiona slid down on her knees and knelt next to her father, touching his forehead. “Daddy?” Her voice cracked as tears started to trickle down her cheeks.

“I’m- ok-” He gasped out breaths. “Don’t-” He coughed and grimaced in pain. “let Osburg get you.” He whispered, his hand stroked her cheek.

Fiona clutched his hand and spotted the gunshot wound on his shoulder, close to his collarbone. “Daddy, hang on.” She whispered. Her hands gently pressed on his shoulder. Blood seeped through her fingers.

“Fiona, you must go.” He rasped. His eyes were moist with tears.

“I won’t leave you.” More tears fell down her cheeks. Footsteps sounded down the stairs.

“Fiona?” A soft voice called.

Fiona sniffed and looked up, her tears dripped to the floor. “Trevor?”

“Yeah.” He went next to her and knelt down. His hand touched her shoulder. “Osburg will come after you. We need to go.”

“I won’t leave my dad!” She managed to speak between sobs. “He’s all I have left.” Her voice lowered to a whisper.

“Fiona, we need to go.” Trevor looked behind him. “Osburg will come after you. I know he will.”

Fiona ripped a piece of her dad’s shirt and held it against his wound, causing him to wince. “Why?” She applied pressure. “He has what he-” A memory flashed in her mind that left her shaking. “No-” She whispered.

Trevor gently pulled her arm. “Fiona, please.” He glanced at Kyle. “If we hurry, we can get him help.”

Fiona slowly stood. “Fine.” She gently lifted her father’s uninjured arm. “Can you stand?”

Osburg’s voice was heard at the top of the stairs. “I want that girl.” A static filled reply came through, probably on a walkie-talkie.

Trevor looked at Kyle and Fiona and helped lift Kyle to his feet. Kyle swayed slightly and stood shakily. “You two leave me here.” He leaned against the wall for support and took a deep breath. “Trevor, I trust you will keep her safe.” His eyes stared right at Trevor.

“Yes, sir.” He tried to steady his voice but couldn’t.

“No, daddy. I won’t leave you!” Fiona sobbed, tears streamed down her face. “I can’t leave you.” She whispered as her father lowered himself back down.

Kyle looked into her eyes, his voice low and serious. “Fiona Gertrude Mathison, you must go now.” His eyes closed. “I will be fine.”

Trevor grabbed Fiona’s hand, and started down the stairs. They got to the door and Trevor grabbed the handle it wouldn’t turn. “Locked!” He whispered and punched the metal door. Grimacing he pulled back his hand and shook it, trying to rid the pain.

“We’re trapped?” Fiona’s voice squeaked.

“I don’t know.” Trevor paced. Footsteps, heavy footsteps, sounded on the stairs and started clomping quickly. “Fiona.” He grabbed both her hands and looked into her eyes. “You have to sing, but you have to sing at the highest pitch you possibly can.”

Fiona pulled her hands away. “Why?” Her eyes started to sparkle, no more tears fell down her cheeks.

The footsteps stopped. “Where’d they go?” Osburg’s voice shouted.

“I.. won’t... tell..... you..” A labored reply came.

“Fiona, please.” Trevor grabbed her arm and pulled her closer to the door. “Just sing at the highest pitch you can.”

“You better explain afterwards.” Fiona drew in a deep breath. “What do I sing?”

He glanced at the stairwell. “Just do it like you’re practicing scales in choir class.” His blue eyes glimmered as he turned back to her. “Sing the highest note and hold it until I say to stop. Please.”

Fiona nodded and took a breath of air, she then sang out the highest note she could. It was an ear-piercing pitch, the air seemed to shake but as she held it, it grew stonger.

Osburg thumped down to the bottom, his face furious and the sparkling globe was in his grasp. “What is this?!” His voice barely was heard over the high pitch Fiona was holding.

The globe starting to brighten, he glanced at it, and his eyes narrowed. Slowly the globe made a light so bright it was blinding.

Fiona’s voice started to shake again and the pitch started to grow lower. “Keep going.” Trevor whispered. “It’s working! Just a little longer.”

Fiona tried again to bring her voice up high and she succeeded The globe’s glow started to fade and then disappeared. A cracking noise sounded. The globe was breaking.

“Stop!” Osburg screamed as he watched the globe breaking in his hands.

Finally Trevor motioned for Fiona to stop, she stopped and gasped for breath, her heart racing. The globe crumbled into little bits of dust and the dust floated to the ground.

Osburg’s face turned bright red, his green eyes were filled with anger and he marched over to Fiona. “You-you-” He sputtered but couldn’t get the words out.

Trevor hit Osburg over the head and he slumped down unconsious at their feet. “Good job.” He felt for keys near Osburg. Finally he got the keys and unlocked the door.

Fiona stumbled through the doorway and stopped in front of Trevor. “Now, you need to explain.”

“I will.” He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “First, let’s get your dad to the hospital.”

Snickers floated down the hallway of Greensville Highschool. Fiona lowered her head as she passed through students, there was no doubt that they were laughing at her. Every school Fiona had been to, people made fun of or bullied her. Fiona did look a little different, her hair was white, as white as snow; her eyes were a blue-brown and freckles spattered her cheeks and nose. Her mother always told her she was beautiful, Fiona thought otherwise. White hair and unique colored eyes made her different and a freak to everyone else.

Whispers floated around as Fiona passed by, her heart pounded as she reached her locker. She opened her locker with shaky fingers and tried to push away the previous day’s events from her mind. Fiona only hoped the current day would hold better things. A laugh sounded behind Fiona, a female laugh. “Hey, snowy.” A sneer sounded.

Fiona ignored the voice and pushed her locker closed. She squeezed by and hurried to her classroom. She kept her head down and eyes glued to the floor; suddenly she bumped into someone. “Sorry.” She murmured. Her books slipped from her arms and clattered to the ground.

“Are you ok?” A gentle male voice asked.

Slowly Fiona lifted her eyes, that was the first time someone spoke to her gently and kindly, everyone else sneered. In front of her stood a teenage boy, probably 17 or 18 years old. His blue eyes studied her and he smiled. “I’m Trevor.” He reached his hand out to shake hers.

“Fiona.” She replied, shaking his hand.

Trevor bent down and picked up her spilled books. “Here.” He handed them to her.

“Thanks.” Fiona managed to reply. Trevor’s kindness towards her made her feel hopeful, maybe she would make some friends at this new school.

“I gotta head to class. See you later.” He took off down the hall and disappeared into a classroom.

Later that day...

Fiona started to walk out of the school building. Someone grabbed her arm and pulled her behind the school. A masked man pushed her against the brick walling of the school. He slapped a hand over her mouth, keeping her from screaming. Fiona stared at him with wide eyes, her heart was racing. Had someone set this up? She had been set up by bullies in the past, but nothing like this

His eyes darted back and forth, scanning the area. “Don’t you dare scream.” He hissed, slowly pulling his hand away from her mouth.

Fiona nodded as his hand came off her mouth. “What do you want?” She whispered.

He kept her pinned against the brick wall, holding her shoulders down. “Is your father Kyle Mathison?”

Fiona eyed him suspicously before answering. “Y-yes. What do you want?” She pushed her knee out and discreetly wrapped her leg behind the captor’s.

He noticed her trying to trip him. He swung her around and held her in a choke hold, his arm wrapped around her throat. “You think you’re smart, don’t you?”

Fiona coughed and rasped for air. She tried to kick the man, but couldn’t get a solid kick planted in his leg. A van pulled up nearby, a door opened and another masked man hopped out. “You got her?” He jogged over.

“She’s fiesty.” He held Fiona tighter, she rasped, trying to draw in a breath of air.

A cloth went over her mouth and nose and she felt herself becoming drowsy. Just before she blacked she heard a shout, “Fiona!”

She turned her head and through her blurring vision she saw Trevor. The ground swayed beneath her feet and everything around her went black.

Fiona moaned softly as she woke up. Her head was hurting terribly. “Ohhh..” She softly moaned.

“She’s awake.” A deep male voice announced in the darkness.

Fiona squinted, trying to make out the people who stood somewhere near her. “Who are you?” She managed to say.

“A very important man.” The same voice rumbled through the room and a laugh sounded.

Pain rushed through Fiona’s scalp and she yelped, someone was pulling her hair. “Your family has something we want, and we will get it.”

“B-by using me?” She squeaked out.

There was no answer. The pain subsided and she was pulled up to her feet. “You have the phone?” Another voice asked.

“Yes.” Fiona was yanked over to a table. “Call him and tell him he better cooperate; we have his daughter.”

A knock sounded somewhere outside. “Who is that?” The man who had pulled Fiona’s hair pulled her away from the table.

“Don’t know.” A female voice sounded.

Fiona’s eyes ached trying to see in the darkness. Lights flashed on along the ceiling, blinding everyone. Suddenly the door flew open, Fiona squinted, “Trevor?” She mouthed, but no words came out.

Trevor stood in the doorway, along with some other people, police officers. “Let her go.” One man drew out his gun.

The man holding Fiona pulled something from his pocket, a knife. “Lower your weapons and she won’t get hurt.” He growled.

The police officer slowly lowered his gun, but Trevor stopped him. “Don’t back down.” He whispered to the officer. Trevor disappeared into the hallway.

Fiona gulped as the man brought his knife to her neck. “I said lower your weapons.” Her captor said louder.

The officer took a step forwards. Suddenly Fiona and the man holding her fell over. Trevor knocked the man down. “Let her go, Osburg.” Trevor’s voice came out harsh.

Fiona squirmed and pushed out of the way, but not fast enough. Osburg grabbed her ankle and shoved Trevor to the side, kneeing him in the chest. Fiona kicked and yanked her foot away from the man’s grasp.

She crawled next to a wall and sat, trembling. Trevor pulled Osburg down and pinned his legs down, Osburg grunted. A bang reverberated through the room, a police officer fell down, groaning in pain.

“Let Osburg go, or another officer gets hurt.” A voice shouted. Someone stepped out of the shadows and glared at Trevor.

Trevor released Osburg and jumped back. He watched, panting as Osburg stood and brushed his pants off. Trevor’s eyes followed Osburg’s every move. “Tell your officers to back off.” Osburg trudged over to Fiona and yanked her up. “Or she gets hurt.”

Trevor waved his hand at the officers. “You heard him.” He told them. His eyes shifted back to Osburg who now held the knife back at Fiona’s throat. “Now, let her go.”

Osburg pushed Fiona away, sending her stumbling into the wall. “She’s free now.” His eyes glinted. A beep sounded and an explosion shook the building, causing everyone to lose their balance.

“Fiona! Run!” Trevor screamed.

Fiona turned to run out the door but someone blocked her way. A tall man pulled out a gun and grabbed her. “You all stay here, until the bomb goes off and no one will get hurt.”

Trevor stood watching helplessly as the man pulled Fiona out the door. He crept towards the doorway, a scream, yell, and gunshot sounded. Trevor rushed out the door and spotted Fiona, laying on the ground covering her head....