Mine

Mine; Three

The doorknob stared back at me mockingly, I could actually say I was staring at it, but that wouldn't be the truth. I didn't want to acknowledge the fact that I had to leave the safety of my home, I didn't want to acknowledge that if I put my hand on the doorknob, there was no going back. After what had happened over the past few days... I was still just as terrified.

Was I being too irrational? Since when was fear a rational thing in the first place?

"What do you mean he would kill for me?"  Despite being a qualified breather of 19 years, I couldn't seem to suck in a breath of air. In that very moment, the idea of oxygen seemed like a foreign concept, a concept I couldn't grasp. "You're joking right?"

"Does it look like I'm joking?" Tanner's eyes flashed as he snapped, his frown softened as he saw me flinch away from him, my eyes dropping to my hands. "I'm sorry, I just- I worry for you, it doesn't matter if I've just met you. I still worry." 

Tanner acted like he had a reason to worry, that he acted like this wasn't a game, yet he still hung around Kai. It took a whole night, but it finally sunk in. He was just as much a prisoner as I would soon become. Ha, sounded like I had already decided my fate. Thanks will, for giving me the strength to fight him, not.

Reaching up slowly, I grasped the cool metal of the doorknob in my hand and twisted. Cringing at the eerie sound of the door opening, I took a deep breath, closed my eyes and stepped through the door. The cold wind whipped my face lightly as I exhaled, opening my eyes, I smiled at the sun.

Well at least I hadn't been struck down by lightning.

After a moment of making sure that no one was watching me, I locked the door and took another deep breath. Fists clenched, I took one step and the another. Continuing until I had gained a normal walking pace and was walking in the direction of the university.

When I arrived at the campus, my eyes darted around. People who I knew sent me smiles as they walked by. Although I knew that the world wouldn't stop with me being gone, was it still wrong of me to feel disappointed that they didn't notice? I felt pathetic as it sounded.

"Hey Arielle!" My head spun quickly to see Dale walking towards me with a huge grin, a grin that had my heart pumping out of fear from the last time I saw him. His smile didn't change as he approached me, but I could feel the stiffness of my jaw as I forced a pleasant expression. "How are you? Haven't seen you for a few days."

"Oh yeah?" Normally my voice wasn't squeaky with nerves, but today I think I will make an exception. I gave a nervous giggle, not one of those dramatic ones, more like one that dies off quickly. "I've been sick. Headaches, stomach pains, the works."

His brow creased with worry, something I didn't need, "Oh sorry 'bout that. I have two older sisters, so I grew up with female headaches and stomach pains." Dale winked and that small action made my heart flutter, not in a lovesick way either, "Generally a good massage will help."

"A massage... right," Glancing around me, people walked by normally, as far as I could tell no one even took notice of us. Even if he was here, Kai surely wouldn't be stupid enough to make a scene in front of everyone, I wasn't going to take any chances. "Sorry Dale, I have to go. Um, got to speak some of my lecturers. Uh- yeah."

His grin faltered slightly, but he kept smiling, "Fair enough. I'll catch you later?"

"Yeah." Probably not.

With a small wave and a nod, we parted ways, but more in an awkward sense. Relieved that his appearance didn't spark a panic attack, I walked towards the Technology Centre with my head hanging low. Maybe Jason was right, I should have called the police. But then again what proof did I have? Just a fear of the most powerful person on campus and pocket lint.