It's not a request, nor a statement. It's 'come with us, answer our questions or you're screwed'.
This may seem insensitive, given the circumstances,but do you remember me telling you that drama was attracted to me (You should, it's in my last/first post.)? Well that has already proven to be true... kinda.
It was an ordinary morning and we slowly dawdled through the school gate at the class bell rang, having meaningless conversations with our peers that seemed oh-so-important at the time. Then the bell rang again. The chorus moaned. The dreaded double bell always equals the dreaded impromptu school assembly. So we dawdle on towards the goddamned hall, which was, in my experience, never a happy place. Never (it also doubles as a gym).
The bell rings a third time. Triple bell? Everyone stopped, looking around at each other, wandering around in random directions, like blind sheep in a strange room (so maybe that's not the best analogy, but it was almost comical, and I couldn't think of any better way to describe it.) Then the principle's nails-on-a-chalkboard voice came over the P.A system (which I didn't even know we had. It makes me wonder why administration sends "school service" students on errands to collect other students). Three words: "To the hall." So the sheep went back to dawdling towards the hall. Another word: "Now!". Yeah... we still didn't hurry.
The usual chairs that are set in rows (turning the gym into a hall) were still packed in their cupboard. The students weren't forced to sit in their usual 'house' seats. We sat on the floor. A great big glob of students, chattering to our friends and staring, neck craned, at the sombre principle who stood behind the microphone. He cleared his throat. Students continued chattering. And then they walked in. Six police-people, four women. A stern looking lady (who was kinda like an American Julia Gilard) took the microphone. One sentence: "If any students have any information regarding the young lady who was sexually assaulted last night, we will be in administration." It was not a question. Last night was the night of the quarterly fundraiser Disco.
Apparently nobody did come forward. Because before final period we were all being filed back into the hall, seated in alphabetical order and told that each one of us would have to answer a few questions. Or maybe someone did talk. Turns out everyone was at that disco (unsurprising as participation was compulsory. It was either that, or clean-up duty), all 200 year 12 students. Finally they got to me: "Miss, we would like to ask you a few questions." It was not a request, nor a statement.
I'm not going to reveal who the victim was, but I do feel for her and her family. And I really hope they find the son-of-a-bitch. I will keep you all updated.
Thanking you, My lovelies,
Ada xx
