Page 64 of Cruel Riches

With shaking fingers, I pointed toward the stacks. “There was a man in there! He had a knife!”

“Did you two see him?” the librarian asked, looking at Laurel and Ruby. They shook their heads.

“I swear I saw someone,” I babbled, still pointing at the narrow passage. “He was right there. The lights were going crazy too, flashing on and off.”

“That passage between the stacks is a dead end,” the librarian said, brows knitted. “If there was actually someone there, he’d still be there now, or else he would’ve exited right where we’re all standing.”

“I’m telling you, I saw him.”

“I’ll go and check,” she said in the same soothing tone a person would use with a child throwing a tantrum about a monster under their bed.

“Don’t,” I pleaded. “He’ll hurt you!”

She ignored me and stepped down the passage. Once she made it to the end, she turned around and walked back to us. “See? No one there.”

“But…” I shook my head, eyes wide. “There was someone there. He had a knife.”

Sympathy flickered in her hazel eyes. “Look, I understand that everyone is very scared and upset right now,” she said. “These murders… they’re truly awful. The shock of it has probably made you very jumpy. But there’s nothing there. I promise.”

“Thanks for checking for us,” Laurel said quietly. Her cheeks had turned bright pink.

“You’re welcome, but I’ll have to ask you to leave if I hear any more noise coming from down here,” the librarian replied before walking away.

Laurel and Ruby turned to help me off the floor.

“What’s going on, Alexis?” Ruby asked.

“Are you kidding?” I narrowed my eyes. “Why did you lie to her?”

“I didn’t lie. I didn’t see anything.”

“You’re seriously telling me you didn’t see the lights going on and off?” I said.

“Yes.”

I scoffed. “There’s no way you could’ve missed that.”

Laurel gently lay a hand on my shoulder. “You’ve had a really tough time over the last few weeks, Alexis. That sex tape thing was horrible for you, and now your neighbor has been killed,” she said softly. “We’re all stressed about the murders, obviously, but it must be worse for you, considering everything else you’ve gone through.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m just saying… maybe you need to see a therapist. There’s a free counseling service here on campus for students. We could take you right now if you want.”

My mouth went dry. “Oh my god. I get it now,” I whispered.

“Get what?”

“He’s paying you, isn’t he?”

“Who are you talking about?”

“Nate Lockwood.” I swallowed hard and took a step back. “He’s giving you money to hang out with me so you can gaslight me and make me think I’m losing my mind. But I won’t let you do it. I know what I saw.”

Laurel and Ruby exchanged glances. “Alexis, we’re your friends. No one is paying us to do anything to you.”

“I think Laurel is right about the therapy stuff,” Ruby added softly. “You’re being paranoid and seeing things that aren’t real. You need help.”

“I don’t need help! I need friends who don’t lie to me!”

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