Chapter 42

**Annabel**

Shit. How could I have been so careless. Sure Alyssia was only a few dorms down from mine and I her but that still didn’t solve the fact that I totally left her at a vulnerable moment.

My brain too focused on my dinner date with Sam to realize we were followed. Alyssia and I parting at the elevator. Both of us unaware that Mr. Hendricks had followed her back to her dorm. At least not until I decided to go back to her room only to hear what sounded like a fight.

Alyssia soon yelling at someone which draws my attention the closer I get. My ear now pressed against her door in an attempt to listen to what was going on. The sounds getting louder the longer I listened. Panic soon rising within me as I move to barge my way inside. Alyssia now screaming from her room.

“ANNABEL”

The tone of her voice enough to send me racing.

Now, here we were both running for our lives. Alyssia still in tears even as we raced for the front of the building. A part of me not caring if Mr. Hendricks was fine or not. Mr. Hendricks an utter pig. A big fat pig.

The two of us eventually reaching the outside as our lungs began to burn. Both of us soon panting as I move to look towards Alyssia. Fresh tears still within her eyes. Concern for her rising as I move to hug her gently. Alyssia clinging to me as I do.

“Easy girl, easy. I’ve got you. You’re okay.”

“He… He almost…. God…”

Unable to form proper words do I continue to just hold her. Unsure of what else I could do until a voice moves to speak. “Alyssia? Annabel?”

Upon hearing the voice, I move to see who it is, my body soon relaxing at who it was. Sam. Shit. “Sam? You’re here early.”

“No. I’m right on time” explains Sam as he moves to approach us slowly. Alyssia unaware of who was now there with us.

“What happened?”

“Long story. Could you take us to Zac’s place?”

“Of course. This way” offers Sam as he moves to lead us toward his car. My hand now trying to lead Alyssia towards it even as she continued to cling.

“Hey, it’ll be okay. Promise. We’re going to see Zac okay. Do you want to see Zac?”

“He…He’ll be mad at me though” whimpers Alyssia.

“Maybe. But it won’t be towards you. Come on, it’ll be a lot safer there than here at the moment, especially with Mr. Hendricks still within your room.”

Nodding her head does Alyssia finally let me guide her over to Sam’s car. My mind now trying to figure out how to best explain all of this to him. That your best friend was nearly raped by her psychopathic Art Teacher.

Sam soon holding the door open as Alyssia moves to slide right in. Sam careful when closing the door. Sam’s focus now on me. “Hey. Everything will be just fine, I promise.”

Sam using his hand as he moves to cup my cheek. My eyes now on him as he moves to watch me carefully. Our eyes locked on each other. “How do you know? My best friend was nearly raped. How does one overcome that?”

“With lots of patience and love from those who love her most.”

“Like Zac?”

“Yes. Definitely Zac, but from you as well.”

Sniffling slowly do I move to nod my head. Sam now trying to smile as he continues to cup my cheek. Sam’s love for me the one thing I needed most in order to stay grounded.

“Thanks babe.”

“Anytime beautiful. Now then, let’s get to Zac’s.”

Nodding my own head does Sam move to help me into his car. Sam closing my door much like he had done for Alyssia before heading for the driver side door. Sam quick to climb in before starting up his car. His car soon roaring to life as he moves to head for Zac’s.

\~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
**Zac**

I was just getting off the phone with Ariele when suddenly, there’s a knock upon my door. My eyes quick to check the time. The clock reading 6:45 which meant I was barely home for no more than an hour.

Having left the college at about 5:30, does it typically take me about 15 minutes to get back to my home as I refused to stay on campus. A piece of me liking my privacy unless it involved Alyssia otherwise the social norm of the college didn’t excite me.

My hand quick to open the door only to pause. “Sam?” my eyes now on Sam, unaware that he also had Alyssia and Annabel both with him as he continued to stand before me.

“Hey, can we come in?”

“We?”

Suddenly confused does Sam move to step aside. Alyssia still clinging to Annabel as he does. “Alyssia!” concern rising as I begin to notice just how red her eyes had been. My body quick to step aside as I allow them to enter. Annabel whispering to Alyssia who only seems to nod. My eyes quick to assess the problem.

Once inside the apartment, do I move to close the door. My eyes never once leaving Alyssia’s even when I notice the faint bruising around her wrist. My focus now on Annabel.

“Annabel, what happened to her?”

“Mr. Hendricks that’s who. He was trying to rape Alyssia within her dorm room. Luckily though I made it just in time to stop him.”

At the mention of Mr. Hendricks does rage rise deep within me. My emotions high even as I try to calm myself down. The need to focus on Alyssia and my child my only concern.

“Baby? Can you hear me? It’s Zac”

Turning slowly, does Alyssia move to lock eyes with mine. My arms now open in an attempt to offer comfort. A comfort she takes as she moves to pull away. Alyssia now running towards me as I move to wrap my arms around her slowly.

The sound of her tears being the only thing we hear as I continue to hold my sweet girl.