Wicked Games (Student/teacher)

Chapter 15

"Slow down," Emily said to a breathless, crazed Hayden.

"There was someone at my window, Emily," Hayden trembled. She shuddered at the thought of what the intruder may have wanted.

"Did you get a good look at whoever it was?" Emily asked.

"No, there was just a broken vase on the floor and someone running away. I didn't see anything else." Hayden's lip quivered as she spoke.

"It was probably a thief. I tell you what," Emily spoke in a gentle tone, "we'll report this to campus security and if things get worse, we'll involve the cops." Hayden nodded.

Within seconds, Emily was on the phone. "They'll be here in five minutes," she said. Sure enough, they arrived and questioned Hayden. "Look girls," the man in uniform said, "we'll keep this quiet for now. Don't tell anyone about what happened tonight. If this person attends the college and they find out you've got security, they won't return which means they won't get caught. We'll make sure you have twenty four hour surveillance and that personnel will be checking other parts of campus too. The less this person fears getting caught, the better chance we have of catching them. Got it?" They both agreed and tried to go back to sleep, knowing they had a guard parked across the road to watch them. Unlike Emily, Hayden was wide awake. She sat straight up on the couch, watching the windows for any signs of movement.

Three weeks had passed since the incident. With no signs of any suspicious activity, the security eased up on their regulations of guards and the girls weren't afraid of going home. It was spring break, which meant everyone would be going home to their family and friends. Hayden, however, wouldn't as her parents were out of town and she much rather preferred staying alone in her dorm than in a huge, empty house. Hayden stood beside Alex's Volvo, waiting to say goodbye. He finished packing the last few items in the trunk and closed it before walking over to Hayden. He hugged her the way lovers do when saying goodbye. He whispered in her ear, "I'll miss you, Hayden," and kissed her cheek. She wasn't used to this type of treatment from Alex. She waved as the car reversed and sped away, leaving her all alone. Emily would leave the following day.

Hayden couldn't sleep that night. Instead, she lay in bed with the lights on and the curtains shielding the windows, trying all sorts of methods to fall asleep.

Hayden took a stroll down the empty corridors, slowing her pace as she neared Reed's classroom. "Hayden!" he called from inside the class. Stunned, she stepped inside. Reed had been worried about Hayden for quite some time now and was rather glad to bump into her. She walked towards him with caution. Reed took a few steps forward until they were only three feet apart. She looked up at him, exhaustion surrounding those big, hazel eyes.

"Hayden, are you alright?" he asked.

She nodded but he knew her. The look on her face betrayed her reassurance. "Tell me what's wrong," he pleaded.

"I can't sleep," she muttered.

"Still?" He was baffled by what could be causing her restless nights.

"Someone broke into my bedroom a few weeks ago," she said, looking down.

"What? When? Has anything been done about it? Are you okay?" He started mumbling all the questions. When Hayden didn't answer, Reed walked over to the door and shut it before taking Hayden by the arm and gently motioning her to sit in his chair while he crouched down before her.

"The campus security had no leads or any reason to suspect anything serious, so they forgot about it. I'm scared, Reed. Everyone has gone home and I have to stay there all alone. I can't stay there," her hands started shaking.

"Why can't you go home, love?" He regretted the last word as soon as Hayden looked up at him in surprise. It had been a long time since he gave her any affectionate name.