Anastasia's P.O.V.-
I couldn't stop running the whole way home; I didn't even notice that my arm was bleeding. Nothing went through my mind just then- the sole thought, instinct I had was to simply run. Run as fast and as far as I can. And I didn't slow down when I entered my dorm house either. No, instead I raced up the staircase, almost tripping along the way. I shakily unlocked my door and burst inside. It slammed hard behind me; I made sure to lock it immediately.
My breathing grew deep and slow. My legs were so exhausted that my back fell up against the wood of the door for support. My hand lifted up to my beating chest; it felt like my heart was going to fall out of me onto the floor. Everything was numb; my body was so frozen in the purest, most unadulterated terror. The worst terror an animal like me can feel…. I gradually comprehended what happened to me. My lips parted so I could gasp. I… I was almost eaten alive tonight!
I know my logic may not be sound, but the mind does strange things under intense distress.
Him…. it's him. The guy who killed Tom! He's still on campus and almost got me! I think he was a wolf, or maybe a dog? I'm not sure, I didn't get a good look at him. He had a male voice so he must be a male. What should I do? If I go to the principal now, he might panic and shut down the school until the attacker's caught. But if I don't go, someone else might get hurt or worse, eaten. I don't know what I should do. If I don't go tell the principal, then I can't tell anyone what happened to me. I doubt he's a student but if he is, he might hear about me through the grapevine and try to find me again if he learns who I am. But then, what would he do to me if I did tell the school? No, I can't paint an even larger target on my back now- he knows I'm still alive and will probably be searching for me. I don't want to make him angrier than he likely already is at my escaping. I can't tell a soul- I must become invisible in school society. If he finds out I told the principal and he called the police and shut down the school because of me... No, I have to keep this to myself, at least until the end of the school year when I move away; far, far away. Until then, I have to act completely normal. I can't act more scared of predators than I am usually. I can't draw any suspicion to myself. After all, he almost killed me once; what's to stop him from trying again?
The very idea sent me trembling to the ground. There, in front of my door, I laid on the rough, uncomfortable carpet for I don't know how long. Long enough for my tears, sweat, drool, and blood to leave a stain. While lying there, I was in a sort of trance-like state, not thinking nor sensing anything. I was still so petrified…. What broke me out of this condition was the vibration from my phone. It took me a while, but I eventually reached into my backpack to retrieve it; I'm not entirely sure why I did this to be honest.
There were two unread messages- one from Kate and the other from Paul. [Kate: Hey girly. Just wanted 2 make sure u got home ok. U did the right thing not coming with us; Clarise's here with you-know-who. Gross. Let me know when u get back safe and sound! Love u!] That was Kate's message. Without responding, I opened Paul's text. [Paul: Hi Anny. Give me a text when you get to your dorm tonight. I've been on edge about you staying out after dark since Tom. In case I don't message you back, have a good night.]
They're both worried about me going out after dark alone, huh? My eyes lowered intently. They have no idea. I ended up not messaging either back. I instead put my phone on silent; I didn't dare turn it off in case I had to call campus security. On my nightstand it went. Then I made my way into the bathroom where I disinfected and dressed the wound on my arm. The shirt I was wearing was ruined, what with the large claw marks and blood stains all along the sleeve. I made sure to hide it in a closed, black plastic bag before tossing it into the trash. At last I got undressed and crawled into bed. I drew the covers up over my head. All I wanted to do was sleep.
Sleep and forget.