Page 31 of The Hunt

“Don’t worry! I made her promise not to say anything to anyone, and she won’t, because she knows Jake might escalate if he realizes you’re finally telling people what he did,” Bree said hastily. “Anyway, she feels horrible about how she spoke to you today, and she wants to apologize. But she’s too chickenshit to call and ask you to come here herself, because she’s convinced that you totally hate her now.”

I took a slow step backward, eyes focused on the shadows moving in the crack of light spilling out from the bathroom. “Bree… are you saying you’re with Tessa right now?” I asked in a low voice. “Literally as we speak?”

“Yes, we’re at The Cabin. Can you meet us? Sloane is on her way too.”

“Oh my god,” I whispered, slowly backing away. “I think someone’s in my dorm.”

“What?” Confusion filled Bree’s voice. “Ev, are you okay?”

The bathroom light turned off. Then the door burst open, and a tall man dressed in black stepped out, his face hidden behind a black-and-white skull mask.

I opened my mouth, but no sound came out. The hollow, empty eye sockets of the mask seemed to pin me in place, as if they saw straight through me. It felt like every nerve in my body was screaming for me to run, but my feet wouldn’t move. I could only stand there, frozen, as the masked man took one slow, deliberate step toward me, silent as a shadow.

Then he lunged at me.

I screamed and scrambled out of my dorm, legs feeling like they might collapse beneath me at any second as my heart slammed against my ribs. The skull-faced man strode straight past me without another glance in my direction, cutting through a group of students gathered in the hall. They all laughed as they saw him pass, presumably thinking it was some sort of prank.

I ran back into my dorm and slammed the door shut. Every nerve in my body was buzzing with panic, but I forced myself to step into the bathroom. As I flicked on the light, my heart dropped.

There, lying shattered in the sink, was my laptop, its screen a jagged spiderweb of cracks. Cold dread clawed up my spine as my gaze lifted to the mirror above, where blood red letters were smeared on the glass. A warning.

Get out before it’s too late.

7

Everly

“I’m so sorry, Ev.”Tessa squeezed my hand, her teary, red-rimmed eyes wide and beseeching. “I will never, ever forgive myself for this shit.”

“You’ve already apologized a hundred times,” I said, giving her a watery half-smile. “It’s okay. You didn’t know the full story.”

“That’s no excuse, and it’s really not okay.” She shook her head. “I’m such an asshole. I should’ve believed you about Jake. He’s clearly a total fucking psychopath.”

I swallowed thickly and glanced at the university officials, campus police, and Havenport PD officers who were clustered on the other side of the dean’s office.

I turned back to Tessa. “You didn’t say anything about him to the police, did you?”

“No. Don’t worry.” She lifted a palm. “I know I’ve had trouble keeping my mouth shut in the past, but I promise I won’t breathe a single word about him to anyone. Not unless that Julia girl changes her mind.”

I sighed. “She won’t unless we get solid proof of what he did.”

“Yeah, I know. They told me what her deal is,” she said, glancing at Sloane and Bree. “Anyway, I think we should try to get something on him. I mean, we can’t just let him get away with terrorizing you like this.”

Sloane nodded. “I agree. I don’t know how exactly, but we need to prove to the world that he’s a total piece of shit.”

“I really wish we could,” I said glumly, shoulders sagging. “But I have no idea how. He’s never going to admit it on camera, or anything like that.”

“There has to besomethingwe can do,” Bree muttered.

“I managed to get that horrible Holler post taken down, at least,” Sloane said. “I just hope they print the retraction soon.”

I breathed a quiet sigh of relief. “Thanks so much.”

Tessa sighed heavily, her face still etched with guilt. “I know you’re sick of me saying sorry, but I’m going to keep saying it, okay?” she said. “I feel like such a bitch for jumping to conclusions over a stupid Holler post.”

“Tess. Seriously. I forgive you.” I gave her another small smile. “I’m just glad we’re friends again. I really need all the support I can get right now.”

“Excuse me, ladies.” The dean drew our attention to him as he stepped over to us. He offered me a conciliatory smile. “Ms. Marlowe, first and foremost, I wanted to offer my sincerest apologies about this evening’s incident. I want you to know we’re doing everything we can to investigate it and keep you safe in the future.”

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