The Ordinary Tuesday

Bailey bounced her soccer ball against the brick wall of Starlinghold Academy, watching the other students head inside after recess. Her tiger bracelet caught the afternoon sunlight as she dribbled the ball between her feet.

"Bailey! Come on!" her friend Marcus called from the entrance. His dark hair stuck up at odd angles from running around the playground. "Mrs. Henderson's starting math soon."

She kicked the ball one more time, harder than intended. It sailed over the wall into the parking lot beyond.

"Great," she muttered, jogging toward the school's side gate. The parking area was usually empty during classes, but today a black van sat near the far corner.

Bailey squeezed through the gate and spotted her ball near the van's back doors. As she bent to pick it up, those doors swung open.

"Perfect timing," said a gravelly voice.

Before Bailey could turn around, strong hands grabbed her shoulders and pulled her into darkness.

The Silver Watcher

The van doors slammed shut, trapping Bailey in complete darkness. She pressed her back against the cold metal wall as the engine roared to life.

"Got her," the gravelly voice said from the front seat. "The boss will be pleased."

Bailey's heart hammered as the van lurched forward. Her tiger bracelet felt warm against her wrist, almost like it was trying to comfort her. Through a small window, she glimpsed trees rushing past.

"Where are you taking me?" she called out, trying to sound braver than she felt.

A woman's voice answered from the passenger seat. "Somewhere your little friends at that fancy school can't find you, sweetie."

Bailey noticed a strange mechanical humming coming from above. Through the window, she saw a small silver drone following the van, its camera pointed down at them. Were her kidnappers using it to watch for police?

The van hit a pothole, and Bailey bounced against a wooden crate. Something inside rattled—it sounded like bottles clinking together. Whatever her captors were planning, they'd come prepared.

"Almost there," the gravelly voice announced.

Bailey touched her bracelet again. Maybe it was time to use her secret.