Obsession Of A Psychopath ☠︎︎

Chapter 32: Campus

“Amanda!” Mandie’s voice rang out, bursting with excitement, as she rushed up from behind and enveloped me in a tight hug.

“Hey, guys! Haven’t seen you all day!” I laughed, relief washing over me at the familiar faces of my friends.

My little group included Mandie, Martin, Luke, and Talia. Mandie and I had been inseparable since childhood, She had been my best friend for as long as I could remember. Her dark skin glowed in the sunlight, and her black hair framed a face that sparkled with mischief.

Martin, the self-proclaimed muscle of our crew, towered over us with broad shoulders and a confident grin. He was intimidating but fiercely loyal.

Luke, the gentle soul of our group, had an easy smile and soft brown hair that matched his warm gaze. He was our peacemaker, always ready to listen.

Talia, the newest member, had come into my life in high school. With her sunny blonde hair and bright blue eyes, she radiated cheerfulness. Mandie had her reservations about Talia, but I believed everyone deserved a chance.

Mandie’s brow furrowed as she stepped back, concern etched on her face. “What’s up? I've been trying to reach you since last night. You seemed really down.”

“Yeah, don’t let that jerk Brandon bother you again. I’ll break his face if he does,” Martin declared, his protective instincts flaring.

I smiled, touched by their loyalty. “Guys, I’m okay,” I assured them, hoping to calm their worries.

Luke leaned in, his voice soft but firm. “You can’t fool us, Amanda. We’re here for you, remember?”

Mandie wrapped her hands around me. “Exactly! We’re your friends. Don’t shut us out.”

I didn’t want to drag things out more than they had to. After I ran out on my parents, Richard drove me back home the next day. The atmosphere was thick with unspoken tension. My dad shot me glares every time I crossed his path, but he didn’t say a word about that night, they didn't even ask me to explain or clarify anything.

Determined to restore some semblance of peace at home, I resolved to make up for my poor test scores. It was the only way I could think of to earn back their trust and quiet the chaos swirling within me.

“Really guys, I’m fine,” I insisted, though their concern tugged at my heart.

“If you say so— you’re still coming with me, Martin right,” Talia chimed in, trying to change the subject.

Mandie shot Talia a glare. “Can’t you see she’s upset? You want to pretend nothing’s happening?”

Talia’s expression hardened. “Well, she said she’s okay. What do you want us to do? Force her to talk?”

Mandie’s anger flared. “You self-centered—”

Martin stepped in, voice steady. “Ladies, let’s calm down. No need for a catfight.”

I took a deep breath, realizing their conflict was escalating. I gently squeezed Mandie’s hand, guiding her away. “Come on, let’s go.”

She followed reluctantly, her grip tight. “The nerve of that girl! Why are you even friends with her?”

I sighed, trying to ease the tension. “You’re overreacting, Mandie.”

Her anger softened a bit, but she sighed in frustration. “I’m sorry. It’s just she annoys me. But it hurts to see you turning a blind eye.”

I stopped and faced her, meeting her gaze. “Some people struggle with connecting. Talia has her flaws, but I believe she cares.”

Mandie huffed, unconvinced. “You’re too naïve sometimes. Thank goodness I’m here to protect you.”

I chuckled softly, changing the subject. “Don’t you have a class?”

“Nah, I don’t. Don’t you?” she replied.

“Not right now. I was actually heading to the library,” I explained.

“Great! At least I won’t have to listen to her annoying voice,” she teased, lightening the mood.

“You were getting along so well when I was gone. If only you could keep it up,” I joked back.

“Amanda!” A voice called from behind us. We turned to see Rob, a classmate I had partnered with on a few projects. I was curious about why he was approaching.

“Oh, hey,” I greeted, unsure of his intent.

“Can we talk?” he asked, sincerity etched on his face.

Mandie, always supportive, chimed in, “I’ll save you a seat in the library.” With that, she stepped away, leaving Rob and me alone.

“What’s this about?” I inquired, a knot forming in my stomach.

“I wanted to invite you to a football game this Saturday,” he said, his enthusiasm palpable.

I hesitated, searching for the right words. “Uh, sorry, I’m not really into football or staying out late,” I replied, trying to be honest.

His expression dimmed slightly, but he pressed on. “How about lunch or dinner instead? I promise to get you back by eight.”

Before I could respond, he reached out and took my hands, sending my heart racing. I glanced around, unease creeping in.

“Please, Amanda,” he urged, sincerity in his eyes. “I really like you.”

The whisper from my past echoed in my mind: “I don’t like competition, Amanda.” My heart raced, and I instinctively pulled my hands away, stepping back.

“I’m sorry, Rob, but I’m just not ready to date right now,” I said, my voice tinged with regret as I turned to leave.

Rob was undeniably handsome and popular, but the fear from my past with Hunter kept me at bay.

After a few moments, I found Mandie in the library, settling into a chair beside her. I pulled out my study materials, grateful for the distraction.

“So, what happened?” she asked, her curiosity evident.

“He was trying to ask me out, but I said no,” I replied, feeling a mix of reluctance and resolve.

“What? Why? He seems really nice,” she exclaimed, surprise coloring her tone.

I sighed, searching for the right words. “I’m just not ready for that,” I defended, hoping she would understand.

Mandie leaned in, her expression serious. “Amanda, what really happened while you were gone? You seem different. Scared, like a fugitive. You zone out, and you’re more withdrawn than ever. Why did you come back?”

I hesitated, feeling the weight of her gaze. “Nothing happened,” I assured her, trying to brush off her concerns.

Her eyes narrowed, determination set. “Tell me the truth. I’m your best friend; I’ll always have your back.”

“I… I met someone, and he broke my heart. It’s nothing special,” I lied, my voice barely above a whisper.

Mandie’s eyes widened, shock and concern flooding her features. “Who? What did he do?”

“I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want anyone to find out. Please, just give me time. I promise I’ll tell you everything,” I pleaded, hoping she would respect my need for space.

Mandie looked torn, her concern evident. “But—”

“Let’s focus on studying now. We’ll talk later, I promise,” I interjected, wanting to redirect our attention.

Reluctantly, she nodded, realizing that pressing me further wouldn’t help.

After a while in the library, we headed out to the parking lot. Mandie continued to pester me about the guy.

“Come on, why can’t you tell me?” she pressed, curiosity getting the best of her.

Before I could respond, a sudden commotion caught our attention. A crowd gathered at the entrance, eyes fixed on the rooftop. We followed their gazes upward, curiosity mingling with dread.

A figure stood at the edge, and in a heartbeat, they fell, the impact jarring. Blood splattered against the walls, chaos erupting around us. People screamed, some ran, while others fumbled for their phones.

Mandie tightened her grip on my arm as we pushed through the throng, reaching the front. The scene was horrific: a body lay in a pool of blood.

Numbness enveloped me as I took in the sight. Fear gripped my heart, and I felt myself hyperventilating. It couldn’t be real, but there was no denying it. The victim was Rob, the very person who had asked me out just hours before.

The gruesome sight sent chills down my spine, but what truly horrified me was the note attached to his body. Bold letters scrawled across his blood-stained shirt read: “I’m tired of waiting.” The words circled his body like a haunting message.

Sobs escaped my lips, my hand instinctively covering my mouth. Mandie held me from behind, a feeble comfort against the weight of horror and the realization of the perpetrator’s identity.

“H-Hunter,” I whispered, the name slipping from my trembling lips as echoes of my past collided with the present.

A chilling smile crept onto my face at the thought that it might be him.