Chapter 16
Chapter
Sixteen
Saturday
I think I’m losing my mind. I tossed and turned all night while the dogs on the property howled like wolves. I dreamt of being chased in the woods, caught, and fucked on the dirty ground.
Again.
This was becoming a big red flag for me. As soon as I get a driver, I’m off the property and heading back to school. But everything seemed off. I don’t feel safe.
Not at the mansion.
Not with the driver.
Not in the city.
I feel eyes on me everywhere I turn. I lost track of time and wandered from errand to errand, trying to stay on task. I locked myself in bathrooms a few times or in dressing rooms to get my breathing under control without prying eyes.
If I’m not careful, I’m going to land in the hospital with a massive panic attack.
I’m trying not to crush the tomatoes at the farmers’ market when someone bumps into me. I scream like I was stabbed and fell to the ground, balling myself up, waiting for the sky to fall on my head.
“Are you ok?” A strong hand grabs my shoulder.
The warmth and weight of the unfamiliar touch are soothing. I peer through the fingers of my hands that I’m currently hiding behind and see a young man smiling down at me.
“Um, sorry. I’m jumpy today,” I stand slowly with his help.
I readjust my backpack and the bag of groceries I’ve already purchased today.
“You’re good.” He drops his hand off me the moment I’m upright and then walks away.
“Huh, I guess some young men do still have manners.” The elder woman running the stall comments as I bag up my produce and pay.
“Guess so,” I mumble back.
I managed to get everything I needed and started to head the four blocks to the sorority house.
Everywhere I turn, I see people in Halloween costumes, and I have a few more jump scares. Then I stumble into the coffee shop to grab a cup to calm my nerves.
I place my order, and the guy beyond me slaps his card on the counter before I can pay.
“It’s on me. Happy Halloween.” I smile in thanks and move to the side to wait for my drink.
I can feel eyes on me, but when I glance at the guy who bought my coffee, he’s reading a newspaper. He couldn’t care less what I’m doing, so I glance around.
“GENESIS!” I jump and scare the lady next to me.
“Sorry,” I say as we giggle at the strange encounter.
I grab my cup and head outside.
There, parked on the curb, is the motorcycle that’s been following me. I search the street but don’t see the rider.
Shit.
Should I go back inside and wait for him to leave? Do I make a run for it? But what if I run right into him? He could be anywhere. I cross the street to give myself as much distance from the bike as I can.
I have two options to get back to the house on campus, or I could hail a cab back home. I think of Val and sigh. She’ll be so mad if I bail.
“Okay,” I say to myself as I look down the street, which would be the direct route, or I could go through the alley and cut through the quad. It’s technically a shortcut, but way more secluded.
Less known too.
“Fuck it,” I turn to towards the alley and ignore my brain telling me how stupid I am.
I walk faster until I approach it and take in my surroundings. Nothing seems off, but I still feel like I’m being watched. I hitch up the heavy bag of groceries and take a deep breath.
I turn into the alley, and the sun is instantly blocked out by the buildings. The temperature drops, and the cooler breeze makes goose bumps pop up on my arms. I try to walk fast enough that it says I’m in a rush, but not so fast that it projects that I’m scared.
A movement in a dark corner makes me jump, and I almost fumble the groceries. When a cat runs by, I laugh at my reaction and relax slightly until I see the rat chasing it.
“AHHH!” I scream and jog for the quad exit.
I can see the sunlight ahead and slow down.
My heartbeat is so loud in my ears that if I’m not careful and catch my breath, I’m about to pass the fuck out. There are park benches in the grassy area of the quad. If I can get to one, I’ll be out in the open and safe to breathe normally again.
My vision dots as I huff and puff the last few feet.
I collapse on the bench and drop the bag on the ground, then I throw my head between my knees.
I snap my eyes closed and concentrate on the air coming and going from my lungs.
In, one, two, three.
Out, one, two, three.
I slowly sit up and look around. Everyone is in the holiday spirit. Decor is popping up all over the place, and the trees are tee-peed from the foolery last night.
Inspired, I pull out a sketch pad and start to draw what I see around me. It’s a habit I’ve developed to help me stay calm.
Mischief night sounds like fun in theory, but it’d be too easy to land your ass in jail. It would only take one prank gone wrong. But what a story you’d have to tell. I watch everyone moving around and get lost in my head.
So much so that I don’t notice the motorcycle parked down the street. Or the biker facing directly towards me. I stand quickly, grab my bag, clutch the papers to my chest, and make a dash for the sorority house doors.