Page 17 of Unmasked

My phone beeps again. I have no idea why I look at it, but I do.

UNKNOWN: Breathe in and out, slow and steady. I’m with you, little prey. Look outside the window at the lush green campus. The way the sun enhances its beauty.

My brows furrow, yet I follow his instructions.

After a few minutes, the shakiness subsides, and the feeling of being out of control is almost gone.

UNKNOWN: Good girl. I only want to take care of you. Make you happy, confident, and secure.

I stare at his message, biting my lip. What he did was creepy yet sweet.

ME: Thank you for helping me.

UNKNOWN: You’re welcome. Focus on class. We’ll talk later.

I blink at the message, unable to believe what I’m reading. I have whiplash from him shifting from possessive to caring.

He doesn’t know me. How can he care about me?

Taking a deep breath, I hold it for a count of five before slowly releasing it.

I won’t think about the fact that he’s watching me.How else would he see me spiraling?

And why can’t I see him?

CHAPTER 15

Mallory

Iget through class without any more incidents from my stalker.

When it’s over, I gather my stuff and shove it inside my backpack, taking off to my next class with Mandy. I know I’ll feel better when I’m around her.

Mandy’s already inside the classroom when I arrive. I paste a smile on my face, pretending nothing is wrong.

As I unpack my stuff, I have a nagging urge to text my stalker and ask if he put the mark on me. But I refrain, knowing that will send me spiraling, and then I’ll have no choice but to tell her what happened.

I still haven’t blocked his number. It seems unlikely I will.

After class ends, Mandy and I head to the Learning Center for initial consults with our respective tutors. Mine is named Adam. He’s a biology major, and from his biography, he seems to know his stuff.

Noticing my silence, Mandy says, “Are you nervous about the tutoring appointment?”

My gaze darts to hers, and I give her a shaky smile. “Yeah. I hope he can make the material easier to understand.”

“I once had a tutor who confused me more than the textbook and teacher. We parted ways, and I found someone new.” She shrugs. “It’s not the end of the world if you don’t vibe with your person.”

I nod. “True.”Too bad that’s not what’s bothering me.

We enter the library and stroll to the Learning Center. Two friendly students at the front reception desk greet us. Mandy is whisked in one direction while I go in another.

I sit in a chair outside a closed office door, waiting for Adam.

Pulling my phone from my backpack, I enter my code to unlock it and then go to the text conversation between unknown and me. Doubts swirl through me, but I don’t let it deter me.

ME: Are you the same guy who wore the red purge mask? The one in the stairway?

My hands are sweaty as I press send and wait for his response.

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