Page 84 of Shattered Silence Duet

It’s… not good. It could have been worse, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t traumatic. Thankfully, it seems Gideon and Tucker got there before it could escalate any further.

After asking a few follow-up questions, Officer Graydon leaves. Jasper hugs a quiet Mina to his chest and I pull out my phone, opening our guys’ group chat.

Tucker:Brad attacked Mina in the library. Me & G caughthim in the act, and I took him to the office. Police have been called. Gideon and the twins are with her now.

Ben:Is she okay?

Atlas:We’re coming.

Dom:Is she hurt?

Tucker:I don’t think she’s physically hurt. I haven’t seen her since; she’s still with the others.

Gideon:She’s in my office with the twins, waiting for the police officer to take her statement.

Ben:She shouldn’t be doing that without a parent or guardian.

Gideon:I told Principal Clarkson and the officers that her mother isn’t attentive and would be at work anyway. They agreed not to contact her, for now, thankfully.

Dom:Good idea. Keep us updated.

Gideon:A female officer is with her and the twins now.

About twelve minutes passed with no new messages before Dom texted again.

Dom:Update?

Atlas:This radio silence is killing me.

Atlas:That’s it, I’m coming in.

Tucker:No.

Tucker:You can’t bust in there when she’s talking to the cops, nor do you want to be seen on campus by any suspects.

I finally jump into the conversation.

Me:Hey, she’s done with the officer now. Hopefully, we can leave soon.

Ben:How is she doing?

Max:She’s been crying a lot, but she’s calmed down a bit now.

Atlas:I’m going to kill Brad.

Dom:Get in line, brother. We’re in the parking lot. Bring her to us as soon as you can. I need to see her with my own eyes.

Max:She wrote her statement, and I took a photo.

Atlas:Send it.

Tucker:That’s probably not a good idea. Maybe we should wait until you’re home with a punching bag in front of you.

Dom:Send it.

I send them the picture, and nobody texts again for a while as they read and process what she just went through. I hang my head at this shitshow. It’s my fault. I overheard some guys talking about a friend in college who liked dating high school girls, so I called Jasper in so we could listen in more to the two guys who had mentioned it. Locker rooms are where you’re most likely to hear the sort of gossip we need to solve this case.

I hear a bit of commotion outside the office and grab my phone, sending a message.