“They’ll…they’ll catch you…” I stuttered, trying to stay standing.
“How? You’re out here all alone…I was in the cafeteria…and there has been word going around of some killer preying on young girls around here…it is next to the prison after all,” he laughed.
He was right. There was no way it could be pinned on him. No way he could be caught. After all this…and he would get away with it…there would be no justice. NO! I’m not going to let that happen! No way in fucking hell!
So I took whatever adrenaline I had left, and ran. I ran back through the campus and into the atrium. One hand covering my wound, another covering my bare chest. I could hear gasps and screams around me…but I couldn’t see anyone. I already felt like I blacked out.
“Somebody call an ambulance!”
“Somebody get her a shirt!”
“What happened?!”
I felt myself collapse into someone else’s arms. I later found out that it was Mr. Lunde who had caught me and rode in the ambulance with me. Because he was there when I woke up. Along with a police officer.
“W…what happened?” I asked, slightly dizzy.
“Oh thank god you’re awake!” Mr. Lunde cried out, hugging me. He loosened his grip when I cried out in pain. “Sorry…”
“I was hoping you could tell me what happened Miss…” the police officer began.
“Haylee…my name is Haylee,” I finished. “And yes I can tell you what happened. I can tell you everything.”
“Good,” he nodded. “We’ll get whoever did this behind bars. We already have someone in custody.”
“…who?” I asked.
“Derek,” Mr. Lunde whispered.
Suddenly, it hit me. I can’t tell them that he did it. I live with him. If he went to jail, his family would kick me out for sure. I would be homeless. Derek knew this…he knew I couldn’t rat him out. That’s why he did it. That’s why he let me even run away. He let me go on purpose…
“He didn’t do it,” I said flatly.
“What?!” Mr. Lunde asked, shocked. “He was seen chasing after you before it happened! And extremely upset I might add. Other students told us what happened.”
“He did chase after me!” I said. “But he didn’t do it. He was going to do something…but…”
I stopped. Both the officer and Mr. Lunde were looking at me, expectantly. I took a deep breath, acting like I was afraid to talk about it. I’ve seen enough Law & Order to know how to fake something.
“But someone got there first,” I lied as my lip trembled. “I didn’t know who he was…he had his face covered.”
“Tell me what happened,” the officer said as he took out a notepad, completely sucking it up. Stupid pig…
“He…he attacked me…” I forced my voice to crack. “He…he raped me…it was…it was terrifying. I couldn’t get away…and once I finally did…he pulled a knife on me! Saying that this couldn’t get to the police! That’s when he cut me…then Derek showed up…”
“What happened then?”
“He told me to run and he tackled the guy…so I did…I ran all the way back to campus…” I took a breath and looked up at the officer, tears in my eyes. “Please tell me Derek is okay? He isn’t hurt?”
“He’s fine,” the officer nodded. “I’ll question him about what happened. He looks like he up quite the fight…got a black eye. We found him up against the sports building. Look like somebody beat the shi…crap out of him.”
…he knew I would go with that story…that’s why he told me about the killer. I bet he beat himself up to make it look like he got into a fight with the killer but he got away…that deceitful fucking bastard…
“I’m glad he’s okay,” I lied. “I really hope you find the guy who did this…”
“Me too,” and with that, he left. I looked at Mr. Lunde, who was just staring at me in disbelief.
“What?” I asked.
“Why do you protect him, Haylee?” he asked, taking my hand.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“That’s bullshit and you know it!”
I was extremely taken back by that. I mean I knew teachers swore but I never expected Mr. Lunde to…at least to me. I was speechless. All I could do was stare at him. I mean here was the only person I ever talked to and he was one of my professors. This man was like the father I never had.
“I’m sorry I have to be so forceful with you Haylee,” he softened up. “But I’m worried about you. You’re like a daughter to me and I care about you so much. And I’m not stupid. I know an abusive relationship and an abuse victim when I see one.”
“I…” I couldn’t lie to him. Not when he already knew. “I’m sorry. I just can’t. You wouldn’t understand…”
“Then help me understand!” he pleaded. “I just want to help you. Please.”
“I’m sorry Mr. Lunde…” I took my hand back and rolled over, facing away from him. “I’m very tired and I would really like to go to sleep now…”
“Of course…” he said sadly as he stood up to leave the room. “I put my number in your cell phone in case you need me. Feel free to call me for literally anything at anytime. Even in the middle of the night. I will answer any call from you. If you need a place to stay, a ride, or just someone to talk to…call me.”
“I will…I promise…” I replied, trying to hold back the tears. “I’ll see you in class in a few days Mr. Lunde.”
But I didn’t. I was in the hospital until the end of the semester because of physical therapy. That and they didn’t want to release me until Derek was proven innocent. Which he wasn’t…but they didn’t know that. After I arrived home, he was there waiting for me like nothing happened. But once we were alone, he praised me for being his good girl and not ratting him out…after forcing himself on me of course.
I lied there in the hospital bed staring at the wall. I could feel a dull pain in my side as the pain killers were wearing off. If I didn’t go to sleep now…I wouldn’t be able to until the nurse came in to give me more medication. I closed my eyes and slowly drifted off to sleep. And as I drifted into slumber in fantasy, I began to awake back in reality.