With everything happening, I felt like I needed a break from the drama. I really needed to get back to studying. So, after making Asher promise not to look at Lamar’s website without me, I went to the library. Aimee and Nicole met me there. Asher must have told them about what happened. Other than
A load screen took only a few brief seconds, and then a web forum popped open on the screen. It had no title or banner. But it did have several dozen threads, all labeled with women’s names. I clicked on one at random. My jaw dropped. Images loaded, one after the next. Racy photos and sex videos
Asher and I continued scrolling through the thread, reading post after vile post of Joseph and Lamar plotting. They had it all laid out. Lamar would endear himself to me, become my friend and eventual lover. Then he would take embarrassing photos and videos with which to threaten me. You must re
He made a deep, satisfied rumble. “Good.” I changed in his bathroom, and brushed my teeth with a spare toothbrush. “Keep that toothbrush there next to mine,” Asher said, when I opened the bathroom door. “Just in case you need it again.” Heat rose in my face. When I did as he asked, placing my
Hot herbal tea, I sat down at Asher’s computer to write a statement. “I don’t even know where to start,” I admitted. He placed his hand on my shoulder. “Just write what you know. Be honest. Stick to the facts. They will handle the rest.” With his help, I wrote honestly about what I had witness
Alarmed by my recent decline in grades, I dedicated myself even more to my studies. Burying myself in the books was helping in multiple ways. Not only was I keeping to my learning track, I was able to distract myself from my plethora of fears. They still existed inside of me, but when studying, I
Joseph was definitely following me, and he was closing in. Panicking, I ducked into the student union. Even at night, it would have lots of people around. Joseph wouldn’t dare hurt me in front of other people. “Cynthia!” he called. I stilled. Better to deal with him here, now, under the fluore
Behind Joseph, a figure began to take shape from nothingness. I recognized Lamar’s smile. No. No, not here! Too many people! Too many witnesses! Joseph seemed satisfied by my reaction and loosened his hold. I wasted no time. I turned and ran. “Lilith!” I called in my mind. “Find refuge