Beyond: Beyond the Lights

Chapter 31

MADELINE

The second I stepped into my dorm, everything hit me at once-the guilt, the shame, the crushing weight of knowing I'd failed. I thought I could handle it, thought I could hold it all together, but the truth was, I was falling apart. I tried so hard to bury it, to pretend like everything was fine with Jamie and that the article about Sebastian hadn't wrecked me. But it had.

I didn't know how to face Jamie. I couldn't bring myself to.

So I caved.

I reached out to the one person I swore I wouldn't ever contact again. It was a stupid decision, but in that moment, I couldn't see clearly. Everything was closing in on me, and I just needed the noise to stop.

Madi: I need something. Please.

Unknown: You're still chasing that? Thought you were done.

Madi: Just need something to take the edge off.

Unknown: You know where to meet me.

I sat there, staring at the text, my chest tight with regret even before I made the call. This wasn't supposed to be me. I wasn't supposed to need this again. But I did. I thought I could handle everything on my own-Sebastian, Jamie, the pressure of my family falling apart-but I couldn't.

The guy showed up a few hours later, like clockwork. We'd done this dance before, back when I was in a worse place. I never thought I'd end up here again, but the pills, the temporary numbness-they felt like the only way out.

I handed him the cash, my hands shaking as I grabbed the pills from him. My stomach churned as I slipped them into my pocket. "That's it. I don't want anything else."

He smirked, taking a step closer. "We'll see about that."
Before I could react, he shoved his way into my dorm, closing the door behind him. His size, his presence, it was overwhelming. My heart pounded in my chest as I backed up, realizing just how trapped I was.

"Hey-what are you doing? Get out," I demanded, my voice trembling.

"I don't think so," he said, grabbing my wrist with a vice-like grip. "You owe me."

I struggled against him, my mind racing, but he was stronger than me, bigger. The room seemed to close in around me, my vision blurring as panic set in.

He shoved me down hard, and I hit the floor, gasping as pain shot up my arm. Fear took over as he hovered above me, his intentions crystal clear.

Just when I thought it was over, the door slammed open with a bang.

"Get off her!" Jamie's voice roared through the room, filled with a fury I had never heard from him before.

The guy barely had time to turn around before Jamie was on him. He grabbed him by the collar, yanking him off me and slamming him against the wall. I scrambled to my feet, my body shaking uncontrollably.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Jamie growled, his fists connecting with the guy's face. Once, twice-hard enough to knock him to the floor.

Jamie didn't stop. He loomed over him, grabbing his shirt and lifting him again before slamming him into the door. "You touch her again, and I swear-"

The guy, bloodied and dazed, tried to get away, but Jamie hit him again, sending him crashing to the ground.

"Get the hell out!" Jamie shouted.

The guy didn't need any more convincing. He scrambled to his feet, clutching his face, and bolted out the door without a word.

As soon as he was gone, Jamie turned to me, his chest heaving, his face filled with both anger and concern. "Madi, what the hell is going on? Why was he here?"