Stacy barely slept.
The unknown phone call replayed in her mind over and over.
"I'd like to ask you a few questions..."
"...About what you saw at the lake."
She had checked her phone three times before finally falling asleep.
The number was still listed as...
Unknown Caller.
The next morning...
She arrived on campus earlier than usual.
The morning air was cool.
Students crossed the courtyard in small groups, laughing as though nothing unusual had happened.
Stacy wished she could feel the same.
"Morning!"
Emma waved as she hurried over.
"You look exhausted."
"I didn't sleep much."
"Studying?"
"...Something like that."
Emma frowned.
"You've been saying 'something like that' a lot lately."
Stacy forced a smile.
"I'll tell you eventually."
Emma didn't push.
She simply handed Stacy a cup of coffee.
"Then until you're ready..."
"...I'll settle for making sure you stay awake."
Stacy smiled genuinely.
"Thanks."
As they entered the Psychology Building...
Stacy had the strange feeling someone was watching her.
She stopped.
Turning slowly.
Students walked past.
Some carrying books.
Some looking at their phones.
Nobody seemed interested in her.
"...Weird."
"What is?"
Emma looked around.
"I thought..."
Stacy shook her head.
"Nothing."
On the third floor...
Lucien stood outside his classroom.
His phone vibrated.
One message.
Do not let her be alone today.
His expression darkened.
Ethan noticed immediately.
"...Another message?"
Lucien nodded once.
"They've made their move."
During Professor Carter's lecture...
Stacy tried to focus.
She really did.
But every vibration from a student's phone made her glance toward her own.
Every knock on the classroom door made her shoulders tense.
She hated feeling like this.
She hated not knowing who was out there.
When class finally ended...
She let out a long breath.
"I need some air."
Emma pointed toward the student café.
"I promised Noah we'd meet him for lunch."
"Oh, right."
"I completely forgot."
The three met outside the café a few minutes later.
Noah greeted them with his usual easy smile.
"I thought you'd bailed on me."
"I almost did."
He laughed.
"That bad?"
"You have no idea."
Lunch was surprisingly normal.
Noah told stories about chasing celebrities for the journalism club.
Emma laughed so hard she nearly spilled her drink.
Even Stacy found herself relaxing.
For the first time in days...
She forgot about the phone call.
Until...
Noah frowned.
"...Did one of you invite someone?"
"What?"
He nodded toward the café window.
Outside...
A man stood across the street.
Dark coat.
Baseball cap pulled low.
Sunglasses.
He wasn't looking at the café.
He was looking...
At Stacy.
The moment she noticed him
He turned and walked away.
Do you know him?" Noah asked.
Stacy slowly shook her head.
"...No."
Emma looked concerned.
"Should we call security?"
"I..."
Before Stacy could answer...
Lucien appeared beside their table.
His eyes immediately went to the window.
Too late.
The man had disappeared.
Lucien looked at Stacy.
"Did you see him?"
She nodded.
"You know who that was?"
"No."
"But I know why he was here."
The table fell silent.
Emma looked between them.
"Hold on."
"What is going on?"
Lucien hesitated.
Then looked at Emma.
"I'm sorry."
"I can't explain."
Emma folded her arms.
"People keep saying that around Stacy."
Noah studied Lucien carefully.
"You seem to know more than you're saying."
Lucien met his eyes.
"I do."
"Then why don't you tell us?"
"Because..."
Lucien paused.
"...the less you know..."
"...the safer you'll be."
Noah wasn't convinced.
Neither was Stacy.
The conversation ended there.
But the atmosphere had changed.
Whatever had been following Stacy...
Was no longer staying in the shadows.
It had come onto campus.
In broad daylight.
That evening...
The mysterious man sat inside a parked black sedan overlooking Blackwood University.
He removed his sunglasses.
His phone rang.
"Report."
He smiled faintly.
"She's exactly as described."
A pause.
"And Lucien Ashford?"
The man's smile widened.
"...He's already becoming emotionally involved."
Silence.
Then the caller replied,
"Good."
"That makes him predictable."
The line disconnected.
The man looked toward the university gates one last time.
"...Let's see how long you can protect her."
He started the engine.
The car disappeared into the evening traffic.