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
I didn’t understand what was happening. What could bring a boy as strong as Asher to his knees like this? Whatever it was had me shaking. “Asher, please…” I didn’t know how to help him. I felt so powerless. Yet after two long minutes, he sucked in a deep breath like he could finally breathe
Asher’s entire body tensed, tight as a coiled spring about to pop. His hands formed fists. His eyes were a blizzard. His mouth was a hard line. “He will never touch you or your child.” Asher’s assuredness was ever a comfort. “Any investigators or killers that come for you will have to go through m