Emilia pov
I walked into my room, dropping my bag on the floor. Helen was in the bathroom, and Mike was lounging on the bed, his eyes fixed on me. I felt a shiver run down my spine as he patted the space beside him. "Hey, come here."
I tried to brush it off, but my instincts screamed at me to stay away. "I'm good," I said, trying to sound casual.
Mike got up and approached me, his smile making me feel uneasy. "What's wrong, Emilia? Don't be shy."
I took a step back, my heart racing. "Mike, stop."
Just as he was about to reach out, Helen emerged from the bathroom, towel-wrapped and dripping wet. Mike quickly stepped back, trying to cover. "I was just, uh, looking for my phone charger."
I took advantage of the distraction to grab my books and laptop. "I'll be studying in the library," I muttered, heading for the door.
As I walked out, I could feel Mike's eyes on me, making my skin crawl. I was relieved to be out of the room, away from his creepy behavior.
I found a quiet corner in the library and tried to focus on my studies. I spent the day studying in the library, then attended my lectures.
I trudged back to my room, exhausted from the day's events. I collapsed onto my bed and fell into a deep sleep.
But my rest was short-lived. I woke up to the sound of giggles and rustling clothes. Groggily, I opened my eyes to find Helen and Mike making out on Helen's bed, just a few feet away from me.
I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. I didn't know where to look or what to do. Helen saw me and sneered, "Look who's awake. The little voyeur."
Mike stopped and looked at me, a mixture of guilt and embarrassment on his face. But Helen just kept going, her words cutting deep. "You're disgusting, Emilia. Watching us like a creep."
I felt tears prick at the corners of my eyes as I quickly scrambled out of bed and grabbed my things. I needed to get out of there, fast. But as I turned to leave, Mike surprised us both by speaking up.
"Leave her alone, Helen. She didn't do anything wrong."
I didn't stick around to hear more. I fled the room, feeling humiliated and confused. Where could I go? My secret room, my sanctuary...but as I walked, I felt a sense of unease but i shaked it off.
As I sat by the lake, trying to clear my head, Mike suddenly appeared behind me. He grabbed me, his hands rough and forceful. I tried to struggle, but he was too strong. He pushed me to the ground, his body pinning me down.
As Mike pinned me down, his hands like vice grips on my wrists, I struggled with every ounce of strength I had. I kicked and punched, but he was too powerful, his body crushing mine. I felt like I was suffocating under his weight, my lungs burning from lack of air.
In a desperate bid to escape, I managed to wriggle free and make a run for it. My feet pounded against the earth as I stumbled through the darkness, my heart racing like a wild animal. But Mike was hot on my heels, his footsteps closing in on me.
I saw a tree looming ahead and made a split-second decision to dodge behind it. But Mike was too quick, and he slammed me against the trunk. I felt a searing pain as my head hit the rough bark, and everything went fuzzy.
I was in and out of consciousness, my vision blurring like watercolors in the rain. I saw Mike's face above me, his eyes filled with a sinister intent that made my blood run cold. I tried to scream, but my voice was hoarse and barely audible, like a whisper in a hurricane.
I felt his hands on me, his fingers probing like cold, calculating instruments. I knew I had to keep fighting, but my body felt heavy, my limbs unresponsive. I was trapped in a nightmare, unable to wake up.
Just as Mike's face loomed closer, his breath hot on my skin, I saw a shadowy figure appear behind him. The figure tackled Mike, and I felt a surge of hope like a spark igniting in the darkness.
But as I looked up at my rescuer, my vision began to fade like a dying ember. I saw only darkness, and then...nothing.
When I woke up, I was lying in my secret room. my head throbbing with pain like a drumbeat in my skull. I tried to remember what had happened, but my memories were hazy, like trying to grasp a handful of sand. It had all been a dream, I told myself. The attack, the rescuer, the feeling of being watched...just a product of my vivid imagination.
I got out of the manmade bed, made of soft blankets and pillows, and headed to my room to shower and dress. As I walked in, I was greeted by the familiar sight of my bed, desk, and closet. Everything was just as I had left it.
I went straight to the shower, letting the warm water wash away the lingering fear and anxiety. As I dressed, I tried to shake off the feeling of unease that lingered inside me.
But as I looked in the mirror, I saw a faint bruise on my forehead. I frowned, wondering how it got there. Must have bumped into something, I thought.
I pushed the thought aside and finished getting ready. As I headed out of my room, I felt a sense of normalcy return. Maybe today would be a better day.
But little did I know, my day was about to take a dramatic turn. As I walked across campus, I saw Helen talking to one of Mike's friends. She looked worried and frustrated, and I couldn't help but overhear their conversation...
"Have you seen Mike?" Helen asked, her voice laced with concern. "He's been missing all day, and he's not answering anyone's calls."
My heart skipped a beat. Mike was missing? I felt a chill run down my spine as I continued walking, trying not to draw attention to myself.
But I couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off. And when I saw Helen's worried expression, I realized that my dream might not have been just a dream after all...