I took a deep breath, my hands trembling. I had to face this reunion. I pushed the double doors open and rearranged my features into a smile. Everybody stared at me in awe. Most of them had gone downhill after leaving this dump, and although physically I was never better, my mental health was destroyed. I glanced at the familiar faces. His stood out to me straight away. I forced myself not to hyperventilate. We were in a room full of people, nothing could happen. I had to get over my PTSD, I had to stay through the whole reunion. His face also darkened when he realised it was me. He beckoned me over slowly, a fake smile plastered on his face. I didn’t want to go to him. I wouldn’t. I wouldn’t. I was walking. No, no no, I was walking towards him. I couldn’t bear to look into his eyes when I reached him.

“Hi.” I muttered.

“Hey! Lauren! It’s so good to see you!” I looked into his eyes, shocked. He looked genuinely happy to see me.

“You look so great Laur!! What do you do now?” I forced myself to smile back. Maybe he had become a better person?

“I’m the CEO of Jones industrial fasteners.”

“That’s great!” I grabbed him by the hand and pulled him outside. I couldn’t shake the feeling that something weird was happening. I ignored the childish whistles from some of the year as we left. He was the reason I’d attended years of therapy, I couldn’t just let that go.

“What’s this about Lauren?”

“Don’t act so innocent. Did you just ‘forget’ what you did to me?” He laughed lightly.

“What do you mean? Is this some sort of game?”

“A pretty sick game. I had to attend years of therapy because of you!!” Suddenly his face darkened. The sudden change shocked me to the core.

“Of course I remember,” he hissed so quietly I had to strain to hear. “I just thought you would have blocked it out. Obviously I was wrong.” He grabbed my hand this time, and dragged me to the school lake. This is where it happened. This is where he did it.

“I would have drowned you too if I had the chance. You’re not getting away from me this time. No witnesses.” He grabbed my head and plunged it under water. I remembered watching him to this to her. My girlfriend. The love of my life. I clawed are his hands uselessly. It was no hope.

“Tell Jade I say hi,” he snarled as I lost consciousness