“Fine, but I will not play any of the games, drink, smoke, or participate in any orgies.” She goes quiet again, but this time I wait her out.
“On second thought, I’ll dress you like a nun.”
Bitch.
Chapter
Sixteen
Saturday
I thinkI’m losing my mind. I tossed and turned all night while the dogs on the property howled like wolves. I dreamt of being chased in the woods, caught, and fucked on the dirty ground.
Again.
This was becoming a big red flag for me. As soon as I get a driver, I’m off the property and heading back to school. But everything seemed off. I don’t feel safe.
Not at the mansion.
Not with the driver.
Not in the city.
I feel eyes on me everywhere I turn. I lost track of time and wandered from errand to errand, trying to stay on task. I locked myself in bathrooms a few times or in dressing rooms to get my breathing under control without prying eyes.
If I’m not careful, I’m going to land in the hospital with a massive panic attack.
I’m trying not to crush the tomatoes at the farmers’ market when someone bumps into me. I scream like I was stabbed andfell to the ground, balling myself up, waiting for the sky to fall on my head.
“Are you ok?” A strong hand grabs my shoulder.
The warmth and weight of the unfamiliar touch are soothing. I peer through the fingers of my hands that I’m currently hiding behind and see a young man smiling down at me.
“Um, sorry. I’m jumpy today,” I stand slowly with his help.
I readjust my backpack and the bag of groceries I’ve already purchased today.
“You’re good.” He drops his hand off me the moment I’m upright and then walks away.
“Huh, I guess some young men do still have manners.” The elder woman running the stall comments as I bag up my produce and pay.
“Guess so,” I mumble back.
I managed to get everything I needed and started to head the four blocks to the sorority house.
Everywhere I turn, I see people in Halloween costumes, and I have a few more jump scares. Then I stumble into the coffee shop to grab a cup to calm my nerves.
I place my order, and the guy beyond me slaps his card on the counter before I can pay.
“It’s on me. Happy Halloween.” I smile in thanks and move to the side to wait for my drink.
I can feel eyes on me, but when I glance at the guy who bought my coffee, he’s reading a newspaper. He couldn’t care less what I’m doing, so I glance around.
“GENESIS!” I jump and scare the lady next to me.
“Sorry,” I say as we giggle at the strange encounter.
I grab my cup and head outside.
