ログインWrenThe cold night air hit my face like a slap as I was yanked violently backward into the dark alley behind the faculty building.I couldn't scream because a thick, heavy leather glove was clamped tightly over my mouth and nose, suffocating me. The smell of cheap motor oil and stale sweat filled my lungs. I thrashed wildly, kicking my legs and slamming my heels into my attacker's shins, but his arms were like iron bars wrapped around my chest."Shut up! Stop moving!" a raspy, unhinged voice hissed directly into my ear.He threw me forward with terrifying force. I flew through the air and slammed hard against the rough brick wall of the building. Pain exploded across my shoulder and back. I fell to my knees on the cold, damp pavement, gasping desperately for air."Get up!" the voice barked.I pushed myself up, wiping the tears from my eyes, and looked up into the dim moonlight.My heart completely stopped. My blood ran pure ice.Standing in front of me, holding a heavy roll of duct t
WrenThe moment the overhead bulb flickered to life, the breath was completely sucked out of my lungs."Oh my god," I whispered, pressing my hand over my mouth.Ross’s room didn't look like a student's bedroom anymore. His bed was unmade, but the rest of the room was dominated by the far wall. Tacked across the white plaster was a massive, terrifying grid of photos, printed email logs, maps, and handwritten notes connected by thin lines of red string.Dani and I stepped slowly into the room, staring up at the wall in pure horror.On the left side of the board were high-resolution photos of Blake, Julian, and Sienna. Beneath Blake's picture were printed transcripts of his university Honor Council records and bank statements. Beneath Julian's picture were printed blueprints of the psychiatric facility where he was currently locked up, complete with security guard shift schedules highlighted in yellow marker."He’s been tracking them," Dani said, his voice barely a whisper, his eyes wide
WrenThe apartment froze into an agonizing, suffocating silence.Ross stood in the open doorway, his knuckles white around his car keys. His eyes were fixed on us, on my arms wrapped tightly around Dani’s waist, and on Dani’s hands resting protectively on my lower back.Dani didn't pull away from me. Instead, he shifted his body slightly, stepping forward to shield me with his broad shoulder."Ross," Dani said, breaking the silence, his voice low and tight. "Where are you coming from so late?"Ross didn't look at Dani. He barely seemed to register that his own brother was speaking to him. His gaze remained locked entirely on me, dark, hollow, and completely devoid of the warmth I had known my entire life.A bitter, lifeless laugh escaped Ross’s lips. It was a cold, quiet sound that sent a shiver straight down my spine."Well," Ross said, his voice flat and devoid of emotion. "I’m glad to see you’ve finally made your choice, Wren."My stomach dropped. I blinked at him, my heart stutter
WrenDani froze. His furious expression shattered, replaced by a look of sheer, stunned shock. "What did you just say?""You heard me!" I vented, months of built-up frustration pouring out of my mouth in a tidal wave. "You act like you own me, but you won't even set a clear boundary! Even Sienna confronted me on campus today, putting me down and reminding me of all the girls you used to sleep with! I am so tired of your past hanging over my head while you stand here screaming at me for talking to a classmate!""Is that what you think this is?!" Dani roared, his hands shooting out to grab my upper arms. "You think I give a damn about Sienna or anyone else?!""You used to sleep with half the campus—""I DON'T WANT HALF THE CAMPUS!" Dani screamed right into my face.Before I could blink, before I could process the words—Dani grabbed my waist, yanked me violently forward against his chest, and slammed his mouth onto mine.A gasp was trapped in my throat.The kiss wasn't gentle. It was po
Wren"Hello?" I called out, my voice sounding small and weak in the cold air.Only the rustling of fallen leaves answered me. Frustration and fear pooled in my stomach. Am I losing my mind? I thought, pressing my hands against my temples. Julian is locked up. Blake is ruined. Why can't I stop feeling like I'm being hunted?"Wren!"I turned and saw Anna running toward me across the grass, waving her arm."Hey!" Anna said, catching her breath as she stopped beside me. "Why are you standing out here looking like you just saw a ghost?""I... I thought someone was following me," I admitted softly, looking back over my shoulder. "Anna, I feel like I'm losing my mind."Anna’s energetic mood instantly softened into deep concern. She grabbed both of my hands, looking me in the eyes. "Wren, look at me. You just survived a stalker, a break-in, and an academic sabotage all in the span of a few months. Your brain is on high alert. It's trauma, okay? You're hyper-vigilant.""Maybe you're right," I
Wren"Please remain behind after class," Professor Vance said over the microphone, his tone calm, authoritative, and utterly unyielding. "We have an important matter to discuss in private."The large wooden doors of the lecture hall clicked shut as the last student left, leaving an uncomfortable silence behind.I stood in the middle aisle, my backpack strap clutched tightly in my hand. Down on the front stage, Professor Vance was calmly packing a stack of papers into his leather briefcase."Miss Wren," Professor Vance said softly, not even looking up from his bag. His deep voice echoed off the empty wooden seats. "Please, step down to my desk. Take a seat."My feet felt heavy, but I walked down the carpeted steps and sat on the cold chair across from his desk."Is everything okay, Professor?" I asked, keeping my voice polite and distant."That’s what I want to ask you," Professor Vance replied. He sat back in his leather chair, folding his long fingers together over his stomach. His d
WREN “Damn you, Dani.” I turned around and literally sprinted to my room, my cheeks flustered. Did Dani just wink at me? I dropped my plate on the nightstand and plopped on my bed, staring at the ceiling. I slapped myself lightly wondering if this was a dream but from the slight sting I coul
WRENI ran so fast I nearly broke the door down.The kitchen. I needed to get to the kitchen, find something to do with my hands, and blur my mind from the atrocity I had just watched…. Something I shouldn’t be watching or even have ever seen but the image had been buried in my mind and it wasn’t g
WRENThe ceiling of my dorm room had a crack in it shaped like a question mark. I'd spent the last three weeks staring at it. I had been on the list for a room change for a week. I kept staring at my phone, hoping for good news."Wren." Ross snapped his fingers in front of my face. "Are you even li
Wren’s POVThe doorbell pulled me out of sleep.Once. Twice. Then continuously.I lay on my back and stared at the ceiling.Footsteps in the hallway. Ross’s door. Ross on the stairs, moving fast.Then his voice as he opened the door, stripped of its composure, “Get the hell away from this door.”A







