Emma’s mouth drops open, and I resist the urge to laugh at the look of disbelief she burns into my skin. “You’re still going to go to that?”
Shrugging, I sling my bag over my shoulder. “Why wouldn’t I? Because of the note? I can’t just stop living my life, Em, I refuse to be scared of some spineless creep.”
Her arm darts out, and she grabs my wrist, her grip tight as she pins me in place. “At least let me walk with you to your class this morning. I need to get something from my locker anyway.”
“Okay, sure.” I peel off her fingers, why was she more afraid of my stalker than I was? “We can grab some coffee on the way.”
When we get to campus, I notice people avoiding the area near our lockers, and when we get closer, I’m not surprised. Someone has defaced my locker door with graffiti, writing words like ‘whore,’ ‘cam slut’ and ‘filthy bitch’ over and over again. Some of them have even been scratched into the metal, the anger and jealousy evident. I guess my stalker had seen my shows and put two and two together, but who were they?
People were whispering and staring, as a small crowd was starting to gather, and I could feel my chest tighten. I liked being the centre of attention...when it was on my terms. Swallowing, my mouth feels like it’s been stuffed with cotton, and I can’t seem to force myself to move.
Pulling me into the toilets, Emma shoves me against the wall of the stall and closes the door, trying to give us some privacy. “Fuck, Bec, this is serious. You can’t go to the astrology club tonight.”
Her face is pinched, and I’ve never seen her like this before. She still has her hand fisted in my jacket, it’s how she dragged me in here.
Pushing her away gently, I straighten. I needed to text Carter. Things were escalating. “I can, and I will.”
She hisses, running her fingers through her hair. “This is dangerous.”
“I appreciate your concern, but I am going.” I manoeuvre my way around her and let us both out of the stall, where it finally feels like I can breathe again.
I text Carter, who tells me to come straight to his studio after work. He wants to lay a little trap for my stalker, and I’m inclined to let him. I wasn’t going to be slut shamed in college or ostracised because someone was jealous and delusional.
The rest of my day passes quietly, the janitor paints my locker door, promising to have it replaced by next week and the pastoral team give me the details for a contact in the police department who will be able to help. Emma texts me almost hourly, checking I’ve made it to the rest of my lectures and classes without any trouble, but she avoids asking me again about astrology club.
It’s dark when I’m finally done, and it’s time to head over to the studio, although to be honest I’m not sure if I want to be naked on camera right now. I’m already feeling pretty exposed, and not in a way that makes me feel in control. I grab my keys between my knuckles, prepared to use them like a knife if I need to.
“On my way,” I text Carter, just so he knows to expect me. I cut through a lane down into a park, it was the quickest way to get to him. The soft sound of footsteps makes me pause, but when I turn, I see nothing. The darkness plays tricks on me, as it looks like things are shifting, moving, but really it’s just my eyes trying to adjust. I hold my breath, to see if I can hear any tell-tale sounds of another person nearby, but there’s nothing but the night filling my ears.
With a soft sigh, I continue. The familiar burn of eyes on my skin makes me pause, but yet again, nothing. Somewhere in the distance I can hear a tram squealing past as the traffic of downtown gets louder. My brain focuses on that, and I don’t notice the footsteps approaching. I don’t realise that I’m no longer alone, until a cloth is brought over my mouth and my world goes black.
Chapter Eleven
Carter
Ruby is late. When I call her, there’s no answer, and I know, I just fucking know that something is wrong. Grabbing my bag, I keep hitting re-dial as I make my way to the campus. I don’t know what I’m expecting or where I’m hoping to find her, but it seems I don't need to worry about that as I receive a text that reads ‘Come to art room 206.’
A sheen of sweat is slick on my skin, and I don’t know if I’m worried...or excited. I’d guest lectured here a few times in the art department, so I was vaguely familiar with the layout, but it was odd that Ruby wanted to meet there. She was a medical student, wasn't she?
The building is in darkness, with a few stray lights on, here and there. University campuses are never really closed, what with late-night exam preparations, a twenty-four hour library and various student hangouts. But I still don’t know what I’m expecting to see when I open the door to 206, however Ruby tied to an art bench in a dimly lit room isn’t it. She has a dirty rag stuffed into her mouth, tears streaming down her face as she’s restrained by ropes, wearing nothing but her underwear. Her eyes go wide when she sees me, but she isn’t afraid, she’s pissed. It takes me a few moments to realise why when I notice that her stomach has been carved, for better want of a word, with the words ‘MINE’ and ‘SLUT.’
“What the fuck, Ruby?” I hiss as I step into the room, only to be
