Prologue
Nothing good ever happens after two in the morning; that's what Mariah had always told her. It was 1:37, and she was on the subway. It wasn't far from her apartment to campus, but her destination was almost all the way across town. At least she was alone – both a good and bad thing. She had headphones in, but nothing was playing through the speakers. When the subway stopped in his neighborhood, she put her duffle bag over her shoulder and her hands in her pockets. With her head down and hood pulled up, she exited the subway and walked up the stairs to the street. The neighborhood she was in was nice, but it was 1:51. As she was walking, a she heard footsteps running toward her. She looked up just as someone crashed into her. She fell, her bag hitting the ground with a soft thud. Shaken, she started to stand, when a strong hand grabbed her arm, helping her up. "Oh my God. I'm so sorry, are you alright?" a male voice asked.
"Y-yeah. I'm fine. Are you ok?" she asked, standing to look at the man.
He avoided her eye contact, grabbing her bag from the sidewalk and handing it to her. "Yes, I'm alright. I'm really sorry. Have a good night," he replied, hurriedly.
She took her bag, and as soon as the strap left his hand he bolted off down the sidewalk into the night. She shook her head, and checked her phone. It was 2:01. Frantic now, she lengthened her stride to compensate for the time. Nothing good happens after two in the morning. Her phone out, she dialed the number to the only person who would answer at this hour. It was his house she was going to. After five rings, he answered. "Hello?"
"Hi, Dave, it's Elizabeth," she replied.
"Elizabeth! Are you okay?" he asked. "It's…"
She cut him off. "I know what time it is. You said if I ever needed help to call you, right?"
"Absolutely. What do you need?"
She sighed. "Can I… maybe… stay with you for a while? Things are getting weird at Georgetown, and I'm not sure if my apartment is safe right now."
"Of course. When will you be here?"
She stood outside his house, laughing quietly to herself. She rang the doorbell, and heard footsteps from inside. When the door opened, she saw him. Her uncle, David Rossi, stood inside. "Guess that answers my question. Come on in," he said, smiling. She entered his house, and he closed the door behind her.
AN: Yo! New story, new year, new life goals I won't bore you with. Let's see how this goes, and hopefully I don't run out of ideas! I hope this goes well... wish me luck!
~Alyss