CHAPTER ONE
“I don’t know how I feel about you moving in with a boy, Jules,” my dad said, looking around the living room of my new home.
“Come on, Dad,” I replied. “It’s a good deal, and Ben seems like a nice guy.”
Dad harrumphed, while Mom patted his shoulders. “Ignore your father,” she told me with a wink. “He’s just protective.”
I nodded because I understood where he was coming from. I’d be alarmed if one of my sisters was moving in with a total stranger, especially if that stranger was a man. But Ben Hudson was a friend of a friend who lived in a huge two-bedroom apartment right near campus. When I’d heard through the grape vine that he was looking for a roommate, I jumped on the opportunity. I was starting my junior year of college, and there was no way I was enduring another year living in the dorms.
I’d met Ben a few times, and he was, well…he wasn’t very threatening. He was tall, but slim, always wearing oversized baggy clothing. His brown hair fell into his eyes, and he wore rectangular black-framed glasses. I’d met him a few times at parties and other college events, but he’d never spoken much. He’d been polite, but he’d mostly stared at the floor or avoided eye contact. I figured he was a massive introvert.
Well, that worked for me. I wanted a quiet housemate, and he was the last person to throw a house party. Besides, the rent he was asking was really affordable.
“Well, I think that’s all the unpacking I need to do for now,” I said.
My parents nodded and I gave them both a goodbye hug. They’d need to leave early if they wanted to drive back home before it got too late.
“Don’t hesitate to call if you need anything,” Dad warned me.
I fought the urge to roll my eyes. Ben wouldn’t attack me or anything.
“I will,” I promised.
Mom reminded me to take care of myself and then they left, closing the door behind them. I was left alone in a silent apartment.
For a second, I felt panic, but I quickly pulled myself together. Sure, it was my first year at college away from the dorms, and it was my first year without my older sister, Ella here — she’d graduated last May — but it was fine. I’d be fine.
I spent the next hour organizing my bedroom and putting all of my toiletries in the shared bathroom. Thankfully, Ben was one of those rare twenty-one year old guys who cleaned up after himself and kept the bathroom spotless.
Afterwards, I checked my phone. Ben had let me know he would be working all afternoon — he had a part time job at the student help centre — so he hadn’t been around to help me move in. According to the time, he would be here in half an hour.
I sat on my couch, feeling a bit antsy. In the end I decided to kill some time watching TV.
I looked around for the TV remote. It wasn’t on the coffee table or on the couch. I looked under the cushions, but it wasn’t there either. I wandered around, checking the kitchen and even the bathroom.
Huh. Maybe it was in Ben’s bedroom?
I walked over to his door, and tentatively tried the handle, expecting it to be locked. To my surprise, the door swung open,revealing a king-sized bed, a nightstand on either side, a desk, and a bookshelf packed with textbooks and novels. I hovered in the doorway.
I didn’t want to invade his privacy. It was extremely rude to look around someone’s bedroom. But surely he’d understand that I was only looking for a remote, right?
And also…
My dad’s warnings echoed in my mind. Iwaspretty sure Ben was a good guy. But there was no harm in having a quick look around to make sure he wasn’t a serial killer.
Besides, he’d never know I was here.
I took one step into the bedroom, then another. A quick survey of the room didn’t reveal the TV remote. I opened the closet and glanced around. No weapons — just hoodies and sweaters hanging up on the rack and a pile of neatly folded jeans.
I glanced under the bed, but there was nothing strange there either — it was completely empty, and clean too. He was the type to remember to vacuums underneath furniture.
That’s when I caught sight of his nightstand. There were two drawers and the bottom one had a keyhole.
I drew closer. That was odd. Was it a safe or something?
I tried pulling the drawer open, but it was locked shut. I peered closer at the silver keyhole, wondering what kind of key was needed to unlock it.
That’s when I heard the front door open. I quickly stood up and ran towards the door, but I was too late.
