Chapter 1
Aaliyah
I enter the room with a glass in my hand. “Here’s your water,” I say as I close the door behind me. I turn around to hand it to her and let out a scream of horror. I drop the glass on the floor and it breaks, water spilling all around. “Hope!” I scream when I see her lying on the floor. I run to her and kneel down. Hope’s eyes are open, but they’ve lost the spark that has been shining brightly in her eyes just minutes ago. I shake her shoulders violently. “Hope? Hope?” I check her pulse, but there isn’t one. I notice a red mark on her neck—it looks like she’s been strangled. Tears spilling from my eyes, I run to the phone and dial 911 with shaky hands. At that moment I hear the door knob turning and I quickly spin around. Caden walks into the room, holding a big black plastic bag. His gaze is fixed on the bag and he’s trying to unfold it. Our eyes suddenly meet and for a few seconds we stand completely still, startled. “Wh—what happened?” I manage to utter, my stomach turning in terror.
“What the hell are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be in school?” He hisses angrily. “She was butting her nose into things that were none of her business, like you just now!” He hisses angrily. I am surprised by his words, I have no idea what he’s talking about. Caden charges at me—it is obvious he doesn’t want any witnesses to his crime. I grab the camera Hope and I were using earlier and throw it at his head. It slows him down for a couple of seconds, and I quickly run towards my room, lock the door and pack some clothes in a hurry. I can already hear his voice, full of rage, at the door. I look around me in fear, trying to find an exit. Jumping out of the window seems the only solution since Caden is now trying to break down the door. “You can’t escape me!” he yells when the window is already half open. “I won’t hurt you, just open the door!” Yeah, right, I don’t believe his words for a second. I have one leg out of the window when there is a loud bang. He has managed to get the door open. In panic, I swing the other leg out of the window and jump from the first floor of my house. I roll as I hit the ground, quickly push myself up and start running. “I’ll find you!” Caden yells after me. I don’t stop, my legs carry me straight to the police station, tears streaming uncontrollably down my face.
Chapter 2
Aaliyah
The bus finally arrives at my stop - Schenectady, New York. The long, fifteen-hour ride has taken its toll on me. I’m tired and in desperate need of a shower and a warm meal. I slowly exit the bus and take in my surroundings. This is my first time in a big city. I was born in a small town and always kept to myself, but this time I’ve decided I need a change. Due to my high GPA, I was accepted to union College before I graduated. Why not, I said to myself, as I was filling out the application form. I’ve always wanted to go to college and get a degree, and his threats are not going to prevent me from doing that. He doesn’t even know where I am, and hopefully it will remain that way. I want to live a normal life and not have to look over my shoulder with fear all the time. About two months ago, right after I finished my high school, I ran away because I had no other choice.
I cross the road carefully and head over to the student campus, where a room is waiting for me. They told me I will have a roommate, and I truly hope we’re going to get along. I want to have at least one friend. I drag my dusty suitcase behind me and look curiously at this place, the place I’m going to call my home. I cross a bridge and turn left toward the city center. A few times I have to stop and ask the locals for directions since I’ve never been here before. After walking for about an hour, I finally reach my destination. A big student campus spreads in front of me, with large parking lots and a beautiful park, filled with benches. College students are sitting on the benches and chatting. For a moment, I just stand there and stare at the enormous building where I’ll be living. I take three deep breaths and go check in with the manager of the dorm to pick up the key to my room.
“Hi, my name is Aaliyah Thomas, I’m here for the key. They told me I can get it here,” I say to the manager, once I step from the cold, old-looking hallway into his office.
“Just a second, let me check on the computer,” he quickly types in something—I’m guessing my name—and nods. He fixes his glasses and looks back up at me. “Found you. Your dorm is right behind this building, in the second part of the campus. Here’s your key, room 203. Welcome and good luck with your exams.” I nod and smile, thank him for the keys and head towards my room.