Suspicious New Professor

Family Concerns

14

Jenissa arrived home later than usual, her mind still buzzing with thoughts of the disturbing discoveries she and Emile had uncovered about Professor Noir. Despite Emile’s warnings to be cautious, Jenissa’s determination had only solidified. Yet, for the first time, a heavy feeling of dread lingered in the back of her mind, making her wonder how far Elias would go to protect his secrets—and what danger she might be inviting into her life.

She opened the front door, her nerves instantly soothed by the familiar sounds of home. She could hear her younger brother Jerrik laughing in the kitchen with her sister Jerina, and the comforting aroma of her mom’s cooking filled the air. She hadn’t realized just how tense she’d been until that moment. Trying to shake off her unease, Jenissa managed a small smile as she stepped into the kitchen, where her mother, Nancy, was plating dinner.

“There you are, Jen!” Nancy greeted her with a warm smile, though her brow furrowed slightly as she looked Jenissa over. “You’re looking a bit worn out. You sure you’re not pushing yourself too hard with all this studying?”

“I’m fine, Mom. Just a lot on my plate, you know?” Jenissa tried to keep her tone light, hoping her mother wouldn’t pick up on the hint of exhaustion in her voice.

But Nancy wasn’t one to let things slide easily. She gave Jenissa a long, assessing look, her smile fading into a more serious expression. “You’ve been coming home late pretty often, and you seem distracted. Is everything okay, sweetheart?”

Jenissa hesitated, trying to decide how much to reveal. She could see genuine concern in her mother’s eyes, and while a part of her wanted to share everything, she knew the details would only worry her more. Besides, the last thing she wanted was to drag her family into something that was quickly becoming more dangerous than she’d anticipated.

Before she could reply, her aunt Thereza entered the room, her soft voice as perceptive as ever. “I’ve noticed it too, Jen,” she said, taking a seat at the kitchen table and motioning for Jenissa to join her. “You’re carrying something heavy on your shoulders. And whatever it is, I want you to know you don’t have to deal with it alone.”

Jenissa’s throat tightened. Her aunt had always been the supportive figure she could lean on, a trusted confidant who knew when to push and when to let things be. The urge to share her worries with both of them was strong, but she knew it would be difficult to explain without causing alarm.

“It’s just...there’s a lot going on at university,” she finally admitted, hoping to sidestep the more intense details. “One of our new professors is... different. He has a way of making people uncomfortable, and I guess I’ve been trying to figure him out.”

Nancy frowned, glancing at Thereza before looking back at Jenissa. “What do you mean by ‘uncomfortable’? Has he done something to make you feel unsafe?”

Jenissa shook her head quickly, though her heart raced as she recalled Elias’s veiled threats and that cold look in his eyes. “It’s not exactly that. He just has this... strange presence. Like there’s something about him that doesn’t add up. And I guess I got a bit too curious, tried to learn more about him.”

Her mother’s face softened, but a flicker of worry remained in her eyes. “Honey, I know you have a curious mind, but there are some things that aren’t worth chasing, especially if they make you feel uneasy. Sometimes, it’s best to keep a safe distance.”

Thereza nodded, her expression thoughtful as she spoke. “Jenissa, you’re a smart, determined girl, and I love that about you. But remember, it’s okay to set boundaries. Sometimes curiosity can lead us into situations we aren’t fully prepared for.”

Jenissa lowered her gaze, feeling the weight of their words settle on her. She appreciated their concern, but it was difficult to convey how deeply her suspicion had grown. It wasn’t just curiosity anymore—it was the certainty that Elias was hiding something dangerous, something that could affect not only her but others as well.

“I understand,” she murmured, a lump forming in her throat. “I’ll be careful. I promise.”

But Nancy wasn’t convinced. “Look, I know how driven you are, Jenissa, and I admire that. But I also know when something is weighing on you. If this professor is causing you so much distress, I want you to consider dropping his class or, at the very least, keeping your distance. No one will think any less of you for prioritizing your safety.”

Nancy’s words struck a chord with Jenissa. Dropping Elias’s class? The thought had never crossed her mind before. But even if she wanted to, her suspicion of Elias ran too deep. If she stopped now, she would always wonder what he was hiding, and whether her silence could have prevented someone else from getting hurt.

Trying to ease her mother’s worry, she forced a small smile. “I’ll think about it, Mom. Really.”

Thereza reached across the table, placing a comforting hand over Jenissa’s. “And if you need help or advice, you know we’re here. Don’t carry all of this on your own.”

Jenissa nodded, grateful for their support but knowing that some things had to stay hidden, for now at least. She was about to reassure them again when Jerrik burst into the kitchen, his face lighting up as he spotted his sister.

“Hey, Jen!” he said, oblivious to the tension in the room. “Wanna help me with my science project? We’re building a model volcano, and I need your engineering skills.”

Jenissa chuckled, thankful for the distraction. “Sure thing, Jerrik. Let me finish up here, and I’ll be right there.”

Nancy and Thereza exchanged a glance, their concern still evident, but they allowed the conversation to shift, letting Jenissa focus on helping Jerrik with his project. The night passed with laughter and chatter, her family’s presence providing a momentary reprieve from the dark web of suspicions in her mind.

---

That night, after everyone had gone to bed, Jenissa lay awake, her thoughts drifting back to her conversation with her mom and aunt. Their words had touched her deeply, and a part of her wished she could heed their advice and step away from Elias Noir’s shadow. But she couldn’t ignore the unease gnawing at her, the sense that there was something terrible lurking just below the surface.

As she stared up at the ceiling, her phone buzzed with a message from Emile.

Emile: Hey, just checking in. How are you feeling?

A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. She tapped out a quick response, grateful for his continued support.

Jenissa: I’m okay. Talked with Mom and Aunt Thereza tonight. They’re worried too, but I couldn’t tell them everything.

Emile’s response was immediate. Emile: I get it. They’d probably freak out if they knew the whole story. But they’re right, you know? We have to be smart about this. One wrong move, and Elias could do something… unpredictable.

Jenissa shivered, his words bringing her fears to the surface. But she replied with as much confidence as she could muster.

Jenissa: I know. I’ll be careful.

After a pause, another message appeared on her screen.

Emile: Just remember, I’m with you every step of the way. We’ll find out the truth about him, but we’ll do it safely.

Jenissa’s heart warmed at his reassurance. Jenissa: Thank you, Emile. I don’t know what I’d do without you.

As she set her phone aside, Jenissa felt a renewed sense of resolve. Her family had reminded her of the importance of boundaries and safety, but Emile’s steady presence gave her the courage she needed to keep going. She would approach things cautiously, heedful of her family’s concern, but she wouldn’t let fear hold her back. She had come too far, and she was more certain than ever that she needed to uncover the truth, for her sake and for everyone who could be at risk.

With a deep breath, she closed her eyes, determined to face whatever lay ahead.