�She�s at a presentation for fourth-year law students. Even though she�s most likely not going to be a lawyer. That girl was never a good arguer.� Alyson smiled at the thought.
�But law enforcement sounds good for her. I think I�d feel very safe if one of us was a cop.� Siobhan smiled, too.
�But can you imagine her wielding a gun and yelling at a crook?� Kennedi asked, giggling as she sat on Siobhan�s bed next to her friend, who had books and papers spread out. Alyson was at the computer, and from the book by her side, Kennedi deduced she was working on her paper for her fourth-year education class.
�Sure. It�s just a very funny image.� Siobhan giggled, too, then frowned, �I�m hungry!� she complained.
�What time does Tara get back?� Kennedi asked, looking at her watch, which read ten minutes before five.
�The presentation ends at five, she�ll probably be back soon. We could go now, and bring her back something,� Alyson said, and closed the book, �That�s all for today. I�ll come with you to get dinner.� she offered, �Siobhan you�re staying right here. That test you have is very important.� she ordered, and Siobhan stuck out her tongue, which Alyson returned.
�Be right back, Siobhan, okay?� Kennedi said, and Siobhan nodded. Kennedi kissed her friend�s forehead and stood up. She and Alyson got their dinner cards and left the room, shutting the door, but not locking it, since Siobhan was in the room.
* * * * * * *
He had been watching for a week now, and figured the girl would never be left alone. He had found her dorm room easily, and hid in a dark corner watching the door. This morning, he saw all four of them leave together, then the redhead came rushing back almost an hour later, and then left again. They hadn�t appeared for several hours until she came back, but she was with the redhead. It wouldn�t work to take her now. He was getting a cramp, but he really wanted to take her today. He groaned as the other dark-haired girl entered the room. It was getting late, and they would all probably go down for dinner together as they always did. But, wait, two of them were leaving, the redhead and the other dark-haired girl. That meant she was left...all alone...and they didn�t lock the door. He grinned evilly, and advanced, after he was sure her friends were out of sight.
* * * * * * *
Tara didn�t like walking alone in the dark, and it was now getting dark. She hurried across the campus to her dormitory hall, and breathed a sigh of relief as she entered. She hadn�t crossed the threshold to the stairway when she heard her name called, �Hey, Tare-bear, the door please!�
She whipped around and saw Kennedi and Alyson heading up the steps, their arms full of food from the dining hall. Tara opened the door for them, smiling, �What is this?� she asked.
�Just a little dinner for us hard-working gals.� Alyson smiled at her best friend, as she passed her friend and followed Kennedi up the stairs.
�Can I carry something?� Tara asked, following Alyson.
�No thanks, honey, just get the door for us. We left it un...locked.� Alyson trailed off. The door in front of her was wide open, and there was no sign of Siobhan.
�I thought...where�d she go?� Kennedi asked, stepping into the room. Siobhan�s bed was a mess, there were papers all over the floor, and, �Oh. My. God. Is that....� Kennedi trailed off.
�That�s...oh, God.� Tara said, extremely quietly. Some of the crisp white pages were stained with a red substance that looked like blood. Very realistic blood.
�Ally, call 911. She�s been kidnapped.� Kennedi said, suddenly.
Alyson quickly went over to the phone and dialed, her voice shaking as she spoke, �Um, my friend...she�s gone and there�s blood...from the college...Edina State...I dunno, we went to get dinner and when we got back the door was wide open and there were papers everywhere and she was gone and there�s blood...too much blood...room 217, Tigerlane Hall...yeah...Alyson Almond...thanks.� she hung up, looking pale. Alyson looked at her friends, who weren�t doing much better. She reached out her arms to them, and they came, holding each other close.
* * * * * * *
�Missing 21-year-old female, brunette caucasian, brown eyes, name of Siobhan Arintero. Signs of a struggle. We�ll get you the picture soon, just get the APB out.� the tall and handsome police officer spoke into his radio and then walked across the room to the girls, �We�re going to need to talk to you in the hallway, away from the crime scene. The CSIs will be here momentarily.� she said, apologetically.
�Right.� Alyson nodded, grasping both Kennedi and Tara�s arms and pulling them out of the room with her. Both of them were clearly in shock, Tara hadn�t said a thing past her �Oh, my God.� and Kennedi was shaking.
�Okay, there will just be a few questions we need answered and then you girls might want to go get some rest.� the officer said, �First of all, I�m Special Agent Linus, Missing Persons.� she smiled at the girls.
�I�m Alyson Almond, and this is Kennedi Limon and Tara Maclayne.� Alyson introduced her friends.
�Nice to meet you. What is your relationship to Miss Arintero?� Linus asked.
�Her best friends.� Alyson said, in a firm voice.
�What was approximately the last time you saw Miss Arintero?� he asked.
�Well, it was almost 5:00 when we left, and we were back by 5:20, so she probably went missing between 5:00 and 5:15, because we didn�t see anyone coming out of the dorm while we were heading here.� Alyson answered.
�Does she have any enemies? Anyone who might have a grudge on her?� he asked next.
�No,� Kennedi was the one to speak then, �She�s such the sweetest girl, no one hated her, no one would have a reason to.�
�I hate to ask this, but is it possible she may have run away?� he asked.
�No!� Tara shouted, suddenly.
�No way. She loves us, she�s having a good life. She said so herself that she can�t live without us. She wouldn�t leave.� Alyson said, a little forcefully.
�What was her mood when you left her in the room?� he asked.
�She was fine. She was giggling with us, and she stayed behind to study while we went to get dinner. She looked eager for us to come back, I don�t think she left on purpose.� Alyson said.
�I don�t think so, either.� Kennedi backed up her friend.
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