8. Mallory
CHAPTER 8
Mallory
M andy and I walk out of the classroom together, comparing our schedules. We have a class together tomorrow, but the rest of our schedules differ. But I’m okay with that because I’ll see her in class three days a week.
She walks me to the stairwell of Grayson Hall before turning to me, a hint of fear and nervousness evident in her eyes and shaking hands. “It’s too bad you’re not in my math class. I dread it, “ she says, making a face.
I give her a sympathetic smile. “That’s one of my worst subjects. But I hear they have a great tutoring center here. I may need to utilize it for my biology class this afternoon. I’m even worse in biology than math.”
“If you go to the Learning Center for tutoring, I’ll sign up, too. I’m sure they have math and biology tutors.”
“Give me your number, and I’ll log into the portal and check it out. I’ll text you the info.”
Mandy rattles it off, and I enter her into my contacts before texting her so she has my name and number. “Feel free to text me anytime.”
Mandy beams at me. “Thanks, Mallory. I’m glad I met you.”
My smile widens. “Maybe we can go for coffee and commiserate over our classes?”
“I’m game.” She looks at her phone and sighs. “I’ve gotta head to class.”
“Bye.”
I watch her exit before pushing through the stairway doors, smiling because I made a friend.
As I climb the stairs, my smile vanishes when the hair on the back of my neck stands up. I feel like I’m being watched.
I whirl around, but there’s no one behind me.
I resume trekking up the stairs, goosebumps covering my arms.
I’m halfway to the top when I look over the railing and freeze. A guy is standing at the bottom of the stairs wearing a red purge mask. His head is tilted up, staring right at me.
My heart pounds furiously inside my chest. I grip the railing tighter, unsure what I should do. Should I scream at him? Take off running? Surely I shouldn’t head toward him and demand to know what he’s doing here and why he’s wearing a mask?
My mouth is dry as my pulse races so fast I feel lightheaded. I tighten my grip on the railing as we continue our stare down.
Run.
I take off, terror causing my breath to rasp from my lungs. My skin is clammy, and my heartbeat thrashes inside my ears.
When I reach the top of the stairs, I look over the railing, fear climbing up my throat, expecting to see him standing in the same spot.
He’s gone.
I look behind me, afraid he’s following me, even though I didn’t hear footsteps coming up the stairs. But there’s no one there.
Reaching out, I grab the railing to keep myself upright, my legs weak. Did I imagine the masked man?
I shake my head. No. He was there.
Even though I couldn’t see his eyes with the two large neon Xs over them, I felt them boring into me. Just like the guy I saw beneath the tree. Am I being stalked? Is it the same guy or two different men?
I take a few deep breaths to steady my nerves before I exit the stairwell. My heart rate and pulse thrash inside my ears.
Blowing out a breath, I do my best to shake off the eerie feelings plaguing me and head to class.
I feel much better when I enter the classroom, carefully choosing one away from the windows.
Opening my backpack, I remove my class materials. Looking at the clock, I have fifteen minutes before class begins.
You need a damn distraction. Focus on researching the Learning Center and sending Mandy information.
All the tension drains from me since I have a purpose. I find information about math and biology tutors and how to make an appointment and text it to her.
As I log into the class portal, my phone beeps. I grab my phone and freeze when I see a text from an unknown number on my screen.
UNKNOWN: Your fear is like an aphrodisiac. The way those baby blues widened as you stared at me made my dick harder than hell .
What the fuck? Who the hell is this pervert? I’m scared and angry, yet somehow turned on.
My fingers furiously fly over my screen, a wave of rage washing over me.
ME: Who the hell is this and how did you get my number?
UNKNOWN: In due time, little prey. Good things come to those who wait.
Little prey? What the hell kind of nickname is that?
ME: Are you the one who’s been stalking me?
UNKNOWN: I prefer to call it watching what’s mine. See you soon, little prey.
What the fuck? My heart feels like it’s going to explode right through my chest cavity. My body joins in, and I tremble in my seat.
Who is this arrogant asshole? And why is he calling me little prey?