Chapter 75

Celeste

I decided I was going to text Matt as soon as I got home. I could enjoy my walk and savor those last thirty minutes of being his “girlfriend.” It was silly, but I just wanted to pretend for a little while longer.

Walking along, I soon made it off campus and reached the center of town. There, various shops lined the streets, which usually brought in a lot of foot traffic.

However, it was later in the evening now and the streets were quieter than usual. There were a few people out walking, but most of the crowds had likely headed home for the day.

I hugged myself tightly, fighting the growing cold as the sun continued to lower in the sky. I’d make it home before it was fully dark outside thankfully, but I wished I would have worn a thicker jacket.

Turning a corner, I was brought to another street that was quieter than the last. In fact, it was completely barren of people as all of the shops on the row were closed for the evening. There wasn’t a person in sight.

I rubbed at my sides as I went, trying to get more warmth as I looked toward the end of the street where my next turn was. If I walked a little faster than I should have been home in no time.

But getting home faster also meant texting Matt sooner…that thought almost made me slow to a sloth-like pace. However, I kept my feet moving as I tried to address the war going on in my head.

I was so busy in my own brain that I almost missed the sound of someone calling my name.

Wait…who could be calling my name?

Officially stopping in my tracks, I looked around, a strange chill running up my back as I didn't see anyone. That’s when I heard my name again.

“Celeste,” a gravely and weathered voice beckoned. That time, I was able to discover the direction from where it was coming from - an alleyway to my left.

Confusion took hold of my limbs, maybe even a little bit of concern. Who could be groaning my name from the alley? Were they okay?

I took a few more steps toward the alley, trying to get a better look. However, that was when I realized that I’d made a huge mistake.

Immediately, I gasped as a homeless man abruptly jumped out of the shadows of the alley, stumbling right toward me.

“Celeste!” he called out again, reaching for me. Only, I said nothing as I backed away, my heart racing. Then - without another thought - I took off.

I heard the man’s voice behind me, but I didn’t stop as I sprinted away, racing down the street. My mouth tasted like blood, my limbs aching as I ran faster than I ever had before. Adrenaline and pure terror kept me rushing forward.

And I didn’t stop. Not even as I reached my house, not even as I threw myself through the front door.

Tripping over myself, I finally got my feet to quit. Shaking, I nearly fell to my knees as I desperately tried to gulp down air. Everything burned - my arms, legs, throat, lungs, even my eyes.

I was so concerned with trying to catch my breath that I failed to notice the active party being thrown in my home. I wanted to die of embarrassment as I looked up to find dozens of shocked faces.

Out of all the times Jack could be throwing a party, why did it have to be now?

Speaking of Jack, I heard his panicked voice call my name before I looked over to see him jumping up from his seat.

“What the hell is going on?” he asked as he came to my side. He wrapped an arm around me, supporting me while he pulled me away from the rest of the crowd.

Only, once we were alone, he grabbed my shoulders tightly, forcing me to look at him. I hadn’t realized I was crying until I had to blink away tears to see him properly.

“Celeste, why are you acting like this!?” Jack asked with frustration. “What happened?”

“I..I was walking and someone…they-they,” I blubbered out, causing Jack to give me a shake.

“Slow down! You’re not making any fucking sense!” he yelled at me.

Spilling out a final sob, I tried to piece myself back together - at least enough to start speaking tangibly. Finally, I managed a slow breath that I slid in and pressed back out.

“I was walking home,” I started again, my voice clearer although it wobbled. “I cut through town and I was passing by the old barber shop when I heard someone calling my name. Then suddenly this homeless man just jumped out at me, yelling my name and trying to grab me!”

Again the tears started to fall as I replayed the scene.

“I don’t know what he wanted,” I said, shaking my head. “I ran. I just ran.”

Continuing to cry, I fought through more tears as I watched as my brother blinked at me. His own eyes were wide, his breathing labored and slow. And I swore his fingers trembled from where they still dug into my shoulders.

“Celeste,” he began and I could hear his worry in the single use of my name. “From now on, you can’t walk at night.”

“But it wasn’t night yet,” I tried, but Jack was not amused as he cut me off.

“If the sun is going down then you can’t be out walking,” he said harshly. “You call me instead. I’ll come pick you up. I mean it, Celeste. No more walking at night. Is that clear?”

I sniffled, feeling a sense of shame as I stared at him. There I was again…disappointing him, embarrassing him in front of his friends. And because of it, I was losing another freedom.

I tried to remind myself that Jack was just trying to keep me safe. I mean, he seemed truly upset that I had been in danger. I just didn’t understand why that homeless man knew my name, why this was happening in the first place.

Still putting the blame on myself, I tore my eyes away from Jack, looking off to the side. However, as I blinked back more tears, I discovered someone else’s gaze burning back into mine.

I stiffened as I held his stare. Matt’s stare. I had no idea how long he’d been standing there listening, but it appeared that he’d heard everything.

The way he was staring at me…he looked worried, pissed…

Protective.