So, one way or another, I was going to get to the bottom of it. Because for whatever reason Flora’s safety was importanttome.
Chapter 3
Flora
Rubbing my eyes, I tried my best to keep reading, but the equations in front of me were starting to dance across the page, numbers blurring into random shapes I could no longer make sense of.
The library reeked of old paper and stale coffee, but it wasn’t offensive. Instead, the scent had a comforting familiarity, like a well-worn blanket. I had tucked myself into a quiet corner on the second floor, where there weren’t many students, allowing me to focus without being overwhelmed by too many distracting scents. Sometimes, having the sensitive nose of an omega sucked. After class, I went back to my little studio apartment and changed into an old pair of jeans and sneakers while making some ramen before venturing back out to the library.
With the bridge of my nose pinched, I took a deep breath, trying to will away the ache growing behind my eyes. It was my eighth consecutive late night in the library, and I was nowhere near prepared for the “surprise” test Professor Hillbrant was going to spring on us next week. While it was intended to be asurprise, he was notorious forspringinga test on students just a few weeks into the semester. The forewarning had been passed down from older student to younger student, and now we kind of all knew it was going to happen.
It was one of the worst-kept secrets on campus. Even I, a recluse who hardly socialized, knewthat. A kind upperclassman had told me about the traditional ordeal during the first week. It had to have gotten back to Hillbrant by now, too, which made me think that he was probably sticking with the charade because it got his class to prep for the test.
To prepare, I had been studying tirelessly. Usually, learning and solving equations was enjoyable, almost soothing. I could lose myself in the rhythm of logic and the satisfaction of finding the solution. But there came a point—probably around day six of intense studying—when it became a little less enjoyable and somewhat more tedious. Each term of the equation blurred into the next, and the pages of my notes seemed to grow heavier. The weight of all that new knowledge pressing down, and the joy of each discovery giving way to gnawing fatigue.
After pushing back from the table, I stood up, stretching my arms and back as the hours of being hunched over notes caught up with me. My neck popped satisfyingly as I rolled it, stiff from sitting in the same position for so long. Hunger was starting to niggle at me as well, so, glancing at my phone, I checked the time. Usually, a few snacks from the vending machines would keep me going until I could grab something more substantial, but since it was nearly nine o’clock, it was probably best to head home and get something more than the ramen I had eaten in a rush earlier.
With my textbook closed, I gathered up my supplies andmade my way out of the building. There weren’t many students lingering around anymore—it was a Friday night, after all. Most were out enjoying themselves, something I was a little envious of.
But there was no time for that. I had tests to study for.
As I exited, the library’s automatic doors made a happy little swoosh as they opened, and I stepped into the cold air, the skin on my arms pricking. My flimsy university T-shirt and jeans weren't doing anything to keep me warm. I had forgotten my jacket, so my chilly walk was my own fault.
Now, I was kicking myself because I usually carried at least a sweater in my bag. Not that forgetting was anything new. I was forgetful by nature, something that drove me crazy.
There was no use grumbling over it, though, so rubbing my hands up and down my arms, I started trekking across the large courtyard. Hopefully, I could shave my walk down by a few minutes by taking a shortcut and be back in my cozy nest before I knew it.
All the way across campus.
The rent was dirt cheap on the edge of campus, but as I was shuffling as quickly as I could, my teeth chattering, I was beginning to regret my decision. Most of my classmates only had to walk ten minutes from the library to get home, but my apartment was roughly thirty minutes of walking in the cold.
It’s fine, Flora. Just think of how much money you’re saving on rent. Let the savings keep you warm.
My family refused to contribute to my education because all their savings were going toward my older brother, who was in medical school. As a result, I was forced to choose the cheapest options at every turn. Leave it to them not to be impressed with their daughter pursuing a higher education in a subject that wasn’t teaching or childcare.
Hugging myself, I hurried down the deserted road that led to my studio apartment. Darkness had fallen long ago, and after the initial brightly lit courtyard, all I had to guide my way was the muddy glow of the streetlights.
Walking in the dark felt unsettling, a sensation that clung to me as I glanced around several times, that instinctual fear of walking alone instilled in me. The skin on the back of my neck tingled as I rounded a corner, my heart thumping against my ribs. It wasn’t from the cold weather. It was that nagging feeling I’d been having—like I was being watched. My steps faltered when I turned to look behind me. There was no one there.
Sighing, I shook my head when I didn’t notice anyone. I was probably being paranoid. This wasn’t a dangerous part of town or anything, yet every sound seemed amplified, transforming the quiet into a menacing silence. The lack of sleep was likely getting to me.Just get home, Flora,I reminded myself.I focused intently on putting one foot in front of another as I passed a few dorms on the edge of campus, their windows dark and still. The streetlights were casting long, distorted shadows that danced in my periphery. Everything appeared quiet, but my senses thrummed with unease, the hair on my arms standing up.
With two hands, I gripped the shoulder strap of my bag, holding on tightly. The Avalon University campus was safe, but as I moved farther from the library, I found myself in darker, more secluded areas. If it hadn't been for the fact that I needed that particular textbook to study, and I didn't have the energy to carry the behemoth back to my place, I would have been home when it was still light out. Now, I found myself reconsidering whether a backache would have been a fair trade-off.
I just needed to hurry. I’d be safe and sound in a few minutes.
Behind me, I could just make out the light tapping sound of footfalls—but the noise didn’t come from my shoes. I hesitated and turned again, my steps becoming unsteady as I stumbled slightly on the uneven pathway. With my heart racing, I peeked over my shoulder, grappling with the growing tension inside me, unsure of what I wanted to see. If it was nothing, I was just being paranoid, which didn’t feel awesome. But if I saw something…
Sure enough, as I strained to peer into the shadows behind me,someonewas there.
Just a dark shape, devoid of details in the poor light, but it was obvious. I wasn’t imagining things, and nausea tugged at my gut as my pulse sped up.
It’s just someone else walking home—no big deal. You’re fine.
I tried to repeat the words in my head like a mantra, but as I turned another corner, and the footsteps still came from behind me, the reassurance faded into nothing.
Are they following me? Why the hell would someone be following me?
My heart was pounding so hard that my head spun, the panic immediately giving me a tension headache. I hurried instinctively, but the person behind me didn’t falter. I tried to cross the street, but whoever was there wasn’t deterred. My heart raced, my stomach turning uncomfortably, and a primal instinct screamed at me to flee. Yet doubt gnawed at the edges of my mind. My athletic abilities were virtually nonexistent—would running really make a difference? Despite the looming uncertainty, I had to try something. Standing still was not an option; a desperate sprint might be my only shot at escaping. Itwas now or never, and I was determined to fight against the odds. Right?
