Chapter One

                                         ***Lyrica***

Hearing my phone go off again, I glance down. Sucking in a breath when I see the words that had popped up on the screen. My vision blurs a bit, making me pull off onto the side of the road. My hands grip the wheel even though they are shaking. I can feel my whole body shake in my seat. 'Ok Lyrica, deep breaths,' I repeat in my head. 'He is not here'

But that's just it, he doesn't have to do this to me; the text alone is enough to trigger this. This is why I couldn't stay alone this week, why I chose to come home for the break. At least there he can't reach me.

Focusing back out the windshield, I pull back onto the road. I do not remember when I reach the gates, but the familiar sight settles my nerves just a bit. Two guards pace back and forth on the inside of the gates as their eyes watch me. I come to a stop at the small shack; another guard steps out. 

A feeling of safety washes over me knowing no one can get to me here. I eye my phone again. It lay in the cup holder. 

The guard leans down, looking in my window. Seeing it is me, he gives me a small nod with a flick of his hand; the gate slides open. 

Within seconds, I was pulling into the driveway. Shutting off my car, I grab my phone; sliding out of the car, I jam the phone in my back pocket. I can feel the weight of it as I know what is on it.

Pulling open the back door, I grab my bag from the backseat. Reaching back into the passenger seat, I grab a smaller bag. I no sooner shut the door when the front door flies open and my mom comes rushing out, pulling me into a hug.

"So, how's school going?" She asks. "Meet anyone new?" Her questions are innocent, just a mom generally wanting to know her daughter's life at college. She knows I'm kinda a loner. Yes I do have roommates but we are not what I would call friends; they do their thing and I do mine. I do not dare let anyone get close to me.

She is also being a nosy mom, seeing if her daughter is dating any boys. She is trying to be subtle about it and not come right out and ask. 

But I know what would happen if I did; it would not be good for either of us. 

Not that my parents would care that I dated, but a certain someone would, and I'm not about to drag anyone into my mess. I also do not have the time, and how would I introduce him to my parents? How would I explain why they live out in the middle of nowhere with a guarded gate? To someone who does not know about us, they would think we live in a cult. 

"It's good." .. "We had a new student join the rotation last week. She seems nice."

My voice sounds flat, I know my mother will pick up on it. And on cue, she turns, raising a brow at me. She is holding two plates in her hands, walking over, setting them on the counter, then sliding one across to me. 

"You know it wouldn't hurt to be more open to people." She gives me that look, letting me know she is seeing right through me. If she only knew the truth.

I shrug, "I need to focus on my studies. I so do not have time for parties and all that. It just bogs you down. I see it all the time with my roommates, and that's not what I want."

Her face softens; she gives me a small nod. With that the conversation stops and we eat in silence, which I'm thankful for. I know she picks up that something is going on with me, but she does not want to push me; she will wait till I'm ready to tell her on my own. 

But that's the problem. I can't tell anyone. This is a secret I must keep to myself no matter what.

Once I'm finished, I grab my bags heading up to my room where I can lock myself in and hide from my troubles for now. 

Flopping on my bed, feeling the tension from lunch and her question leave me for a moment, but not for long when I pull my phone out, tapping the screen, making it light up. 

There are two messages; clicking on them, there is no name, just a number,

Running home will not keep you safe from me.

Shutting my eyes, I pull in a deep breath. Opening them I read the next one.

There is no place you can hide from me.