Standard Disclaimers – A/N To Lyta and John – thanks for the feedback. I don't think my story is going in the direction you think it is, and I'm pretty sure I will resolve your points, but I can't say more without giving away the plot. As for the rest of it, people do stupid things when they're 18, don't forget, and even Duncan can have a lapse in judgment from time to time. Anyway, I hope you both keep reading, and let me know if I redeemed myself at all by the end. Thanks!

Well, that was it. I was officially freaked out. Anne called Richie, and I described my attackers the best I could, but they'd been wearing those Ninja mask things, so most of what I could tell him was how tall they were.

"And one of them will be walking with a limp." I said with some satisfaction.

We talked about it for hours. Richie said once again I should call Duncan and I reluctantly agreed with him, although I did ask him to do it. I didn't want to talk to Duncan until I saw him face to face. I was afraid I'd get all whiny girlfriend on him, and I didn't want to do that.

The rest of the weekend was uneventful, and by Monday; knowing that Richie was calling Duncan and I wasn't alone in all of this, I felt much better about the situation.

Then Professor Laville introduced something in English Lit class that I thought might be a welcome diversion from all my weird troubles. "I have a friend who is a published poet, and has kindly consented to give a reading at my house this Wednesday for my students. I would like you all to come," he announced, "and I'd would also like a couple of volunteers to come a bit earlier to help me set up." No one raised a hand until he added; "It will count as extra credit to your final grade." Hands shot up, and he picked Maggie's boyfriend Marcus and me. I was glad; I could use the extra credit.

On Wednesday, I met Marcus at his frat house and we walked the few blocks to Professor Laville's house, which was just outside campus. It was still light out, so I was pretty certain the stalker guy wouldn't try anything, and Maggie, Anne, and Richie were all going to come to the reading, so I'd have plenty of company on the walk home. Poor Marcus was limping, apparently they were taking turns sliding down the frat house stairs on a dining hall tray. It was amazing to me how stupid college boys could be when they get in a group.

"Come in, come in," Professor Laville ushered us into his house. He seemed kind of agitated, and I put it down to nervousness at having a bunch of college students in his house. "Let me get you something to drink before we get stated." He pointed us to his living room then dashed off to get drinks before we even had a chance to agree.

"He's a bit jumpy, isn't he?" I said to Marcus, who just shrugged. Marcus didn't talk much.

The professor came back with a couple of glasses of lemonade. "Here you go. I thought I could go over what I need done, answer any questions, that sort of thing." He started discussing how he wanted the room set up, segueing into some odd trivia about Charles Dickens and the readings he used to do, and I sipped my lemonade and tried to look interested. My mind was starting to wander when, to my utter surprise he said, "Molly, I understand you've been having some troubles lately."

I took long sip of the juice while I thought of the best way to reply. "Boy news really does travel, doesn't it." I tried to sound as nonchalant as possible. "Anyway, I have some friends who are helping me out, so I think it will be okay."

"So you called Duncan, then. I was beginning to think you'd never do that. Stubbornness can get you killed, you know."

"Yes, I did...what? How do you know about Duncan?" I stared at Professor Laville in surprise. "I mean, what are you talking about?"

"Frankly I'm rather disappointed you didn't call him right away, when you got the picture. It would have saved me so much time. When I left that little message in the dorm I thought for sure you'd go running to Duncan, but again, you didn't. I was getting quite annoyed, really."

I stood up, knocking over my juice in the process, and tried to run, but legs wouldn't cooperate and I found myself on my knees, my head spinning dizzily. "Drugged, I'm afraid," Professor Laville said cheerfully. I looked over at Marcus to see if he was having the same problem I was, but he was just sitting there with this strange smile on his face. He didn't look drugged.

"You were limping..." I said, realization dawning. Marcus only shrugged.

"Why?"

"Marcus is doing me a favor." He leaned closer to me and I shied away. "Oh, don't worry. I'm not after you. That was just a ruse."

"You're not stalking me?" Why was I sitting there having a conversation? I needed to run, to get out, at least get to my purse and call 911, but everything was spinning. "Why did you say you were?"

"Because I needed you to lure Duncan back, and I wanted him to be worried." He smiled with no trace of humor. "Worried people are so much easier to fight."

And that was the last thing I heard before the world went dark.