Chapter 4 : “The Threat”

*Roanne’s POV*

As I moved between classes, the weight of my textbooks in my arms was like a shield against the world. Some days, the Ivy League halls felt like a fortress, my sanctuary from memories too raw to touch. The familiar scent of old books and the murmur of ambitious minds were a balm to the chaos that once threatened to consume me.

"Roanne! Wait up!" A voice pierced through the hum of activity, and I turned to see Jenna, a new friend I made yesterday, her smile an anchor in the sea of faces. We fell into step, navigating the throng of students spilling out of lecture halls.

"Did you finish the assignment for Professor Klein?" she asked, her eyes bright with the unbridled enthusiasm of someone who had not tasted darkness as I had.

"Last night," I replied, tucking a stray lock of hair behind my ear. "I couldn't sleep, so I figured I might as well be productive."

"God, you're a machine," she said with a laugh, nudging me playfully. "How about we grab coffee after class?"

"Sounds good." The words came automatically, but the warmth of potential friendship kindled something hopeful within me. It was these little interactions, the mundane normalcy of college life, that I clung to like a lifeline.

But as we threaded our way through the crowd, a voice slithered through the air, as jarring and unwelcome as a knife's edge.

"Roanne, playing the studious little girl as always, huh?" Sebastian's voice, dripping with condescension, cut through the chatter around us. My breath hitched, heart pounding a frantic rhythm against my ribs.

"Sebastian," I acknowledged stiffly, feeling Jenna's questioning gaze on me. His presence loomed large, a dark cloud obscuring the sunlit path I had been walking.

"Come on, don't be like that," he cooed, stepping closer. "We used to have such fun together, didn't we?"

My skin crawled at the memory of his touch, and I forced myself to look him in the eye, my resolve steeling. "That was before I realized what you really are," I spat back, the words tasting like poison on my tongue.

"Ouch, that hurts," he mocked, feigning a wounded expression. "You know, it's not very nice to reject someone who just wants to catch up."

I could feel the eyes of passing students on us, whispers swirling like leaves in the wind. Humiliation bloomed hot on my cheeks, and I wanted nothing more than to disappear. But I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of seeing me cower.

"Leave me alone, Sebastian," I said, the tremor in my voice betraying the fear I fought so hard to suppress. "I have nothing to say to you."

"Feisty," he taunted, leaning in so close I could smell the arrogance on his breath. "But you and I both know you can't resist me. You never could."

"Watch me," I countered, though my legs felt like they might give way beneath me. Jenna's hand found mine, a silent gesture of solidarity, and I drew strength from her unspoken support.

"Your loss," he shrugged, flipping his hair back with practiced nonchalance. "Remember, Roanne, I'm not someone you want as an enemy."

His words hung in the air like a threat, and I watched him walk away, every cell in my body vibrating with the effort it took to maintain my composure. As his figure receded, I allowed myself a moment to breathe, to let the mask slip just enough to acknowledge the quake of fear that reverberated through me.

"Are you okay?" Jenna asked gently, her concern a bittersweet reminder of the world I was fighting to belong to.

"Yeah," I lied, swallowing the lump in my throat. "Let's get that coffee."

As we resumed our path, the sunlight seemed dimmer, the echoes of laughter around us a distant symphony. I was here, among peers, under the guise of normalcy, yet the specter of Sebastian's power lingered, a shadow I could neither escape nor erase.

The bell's chime sent a shiver down my spine, jarring me back to the present. I stood outside my next class, the door a formidable barrier between the sanctuary of academia and the battlefield of my personal life.

The encounter with Sebastian had left a foul taste in my mouth, a reminder of his poison running through my veins. But I was determined not to let him invade this space, too.

"Roanne?" A voice pulled me from my reverie, and I turned to see Lizzie approaching, her eyes scrutinizing my facade. "You look like you've seen a ghost."

"More like the devil himself," I muttered, forcing a half-smile that didn't quite reach my eyes. Lizzie's presence was an anchor, grounding me amidst the tempest Sebastian had stirred.

"Let's talk after class," she said, linking her arm with mine. "We'll grab a bite, my treat."

"Thanks, Lizzie." Gratitude warmed my chest, thawing the ice Sebastian's words had formed.

"Anytime, Ro." Her response was firm, a vow.

I navigated through the lecture on auto-pilot, my mind replaying the morning's confrontation like a broken record. Each snide comment from Sebastian scratched at my concentration, but I clung to the knowledge that soon, I'd have Lizzie's support.

When the lecture ended, I found her waiting, a solid figure amidst the sea of students. We wove our way to a quiet corner of the campus café, where the scent of freshly baked bread mingled with the bitter tang of coffee.

"Talk to me," Lizzie urged, as we settled into our seats.

"Sebastian happened," I confessed, feeling the weight of the words as they tumbled out. "He can't stand seeing me move on, regain control."

"Ro, you are reclaiming your life. Don't forget that." Lizzie's voice was soft yet unyielding. "He wants to make you feel powerless. Don't let him."

"I won't," I promised, the resolve in my voice surprising even me. "I'm stronger now. Because of you, because of me."

Lizzie reached across the table, squeezing my hand.

For a while, we chatted about mundane things, catching up on each other's lives. But I could sense the weight of Sebastian's actions still lingering between us, a dark cloud overshadowing our lighthearted banter.

"How did he even find out about you transferring here?" Lizzie asked, her brow furrowed in confusion.

"I have no idea," I admitted with a sigh. "But it doesn't matter now. What's important is that I don't let him get to me."

"Exactly." Lizzie nodded in agreement before adding, "And if he tries anything else, you know you can count on me to have your back."

“Now, eat up. You'll need your energy to conquer the world," Lizzie teased, her laughter a melodious sound that danced through the tension-laden air.

As I bit into my sandwich, the flavors bursting alive on my palate, I felt a spark ignite within me. This was more than just a meal; it was communion, a shared ritual of resilience. And for the first time since the assault, I truly believed I could emerge from the shadows, forged anew by the fires of my own making.

I smiled gratefully at her, grateful for her unwavering support. It was moments like these that made me truly appreciate our friendship and how far we had come since our freshman year.

As we finished our meal and headed back to class, I felt a renewed sense of determination and confidence radiating from within. Sebastian may have tried to knock me down, but with Lizzie by my side, I knew I could rise again and stand taller than ever before.

The rest of the day passed by in a blur as I focused on my studies and ignored any lingering thoughts about Sebastian. But as the final bell rang and I packed up my things to head home, my phone buzzed with an incoming call from an unfamiliar number.

Curiosity getting the best of me, I answered the call cautiously. To my surprise and dread, it was none other than Sebastian on the other end of the line.

"Hello Roanne," his voice dripped with derision. "You thought you could escape me? How naive."

My grip on the phone tightened as anger boiled within me. How dare he continue to harass me like this?

"What do you want?" I spat out through gritted teeth.

"Oh nothing much," he drawled nonchalantly. "Just to remind you that no matter where you go or what you do, I will always find you."

I cut the call and felt a shudder run down my spine. This will never end.

My heart was racing as I stormed out of the school, my mind reeling with anger and fear. How could Sebastian still be tormenting me like this? Didn't he understand the damage he had already caused?

I walked to my dorm room as fast as I could, determined to put as much distance between myself and that phone call. But even as I entered my house and collapsed onto my bed, I couldn't shake off the feeling of being watched.

-

*Aaron’s POV*

Blake was his usual quiet self when I noticed the figure of someone new. My attention focused on Roanne and someone else sitting next to her. I focused my attention on the familiar figure until I was able to recognize her.

“Find out all you can about that girl, she has been here for a while, she is a Junior,” I mentioned to Blake and she simply nodded. I didn’t need to say more, he knew well what I wanted.

“Her name is Lizzie Sanders, will get you more information on her soon.”