n what he wanted and promised Williams was safe, but predators never stop at one bite. He was still holding t

hield. My fingers hovered over the screen before

d, his eyes meeting min

wrapping the blanket tighte

't ques

changed. As if I hadn't changed. I called the number, the

, keeping my voice low. "You told me it w

, his voice dripping with mali

promi

ice clipped and cold. "Or you can sta

ne wen

g against the black sky. My feet felt rooted to the pavement, heavy with fear. I don't

ately. Professor Oregan smiled like he

ways," he said,

d freezing. I walked in slo

s done," I said

most doesn't count in matters like these." He held up a folder. "Your boyfrie

ear!" I yelled, tears of f

king to the nightstand and pla

want?" I spat

. Don't look so surprised, Miss Brown. You've alre

at his bald head, a heavy wave

ntinued, "but I've kept my word. I'

we didn't have a c

ce. "Of course you did.

here because I didn't know how to live with the idea that the fir

ames," I said, my star

rse," h

air. But it did nothing to cool the damp, sticky sweat from his body rubbing against mine. My eyes drifted to a sharp, silver metal letter opener lying

h a contented sigh. "File's o

e's in the

I asked again, my

e," he

abbed the folder and left without a word. I didn't cry. I was t

ouldn't matter. His voice kept replaying in my

it open quietly, stepping inside the dark living room. Only the blue glow of the TV lit t

I called

f. I stepped closer, and he looked up. There

the folder on the table. "

t. "I thought you said it

t then he changed his mind today. I

a judgmental look in his eyes. "S

d! I did it for

d y

at him in utter shock

ow. "I just... I didn't think you'd actually

d me the f

ask you to go back tonight. The board cleared my name at noon today! I checked the student portal. It was already over! So why did y

ical blow. He wasn't grateful. He w

ily, I moved towar

G

ease, you don

, Kath

o this t

he said coldly, tur

r you! You begged me for this!"

grip, and dragged me across the floor. He shoved me out into t