Chapter 63

In the days following the ominous phone call, Ashleigh didn't receive any more from that number, but the tension lingered, threading its way into every moment. The authorities, informed of the incident, swiftly launched an investigation, focusing on anyone who had been in the vicinity when the call was made. Security protocols were tightened across campus. Students now had to present their IDs before entering faculty buildings or any restricted areas. Security personnel monitored the main entrances and patrolled the grounds, their presence a constant reminder of the threat that loomed. Arthur, Oliver, and Damien were ever vigilant, ensuring Ashleigh was never alone. From the moment she stepped out of her hostel until she returned at night, they were by her side. They tried to trace the phone number, but it proved impossible. Despite their reassurances that the stalker would be caught, Ashleigh couldn't shake the paranoia that gripped her. During her tests, she would glance nervously around the hall, searching for anyone who seemed out of place. At the cafeteria, she insisted that the group sit close to the entrance, allowing her to watch who came and went, barely touching her food as her eyes flicked to each new face. The once familiar hallways now felt menacing, and she couldn't bring herself to walk them alone, haunted by the fear that the man from the other day might suddenly appear. Even in the library at night, she found no peace. The break room, where she was supposed to rest, became a place of restless dread, each creak and shadow feeding her anxiety. By the fourth morning, the fear and sleeplessness had taken their toll. As Damien guided her out of the laboratory, he held her hand tightly, his brow furrowed with concern as he noticed her struggle to stay awake. That day, they had their lab practical exam, and she had stayed up late into the night, preparing the necessary solutions with him. In the early hours, Damien had urged her to rest, but she stubbornly refused, insisting on staying with him until exhaustion finally overtook her, and she retreated to the break room. Seeing her now, Damien could tell she hadn't slept at all. As they reached the parking lot, they found Oliver and Arthur waiting by the car. Their initial smiles faded as they took in Ashleigh's weary appearance. "Ashleigh, did you get any sleep last night? You look exhausted," Oliver's deep voice resonated with concern as she climbed into the car. "Did she?" Damien responded with a hint of frustration. "I practically had to force her to the break room, but instead of sleeping, she just sat there until morning." Ashleigh turned to meet Damien's accusing gaze and frowned. She had expected more understanding from him. 'It's not easy to just ‘sleep,' Damien. I was told on Monday that someone is watching me, the culprit is still out there, and I don't even know what they want. So, excuse me if sleep doesn't come easily," she snapped, her voice dripping with sarcasm. She turned away from him, catching Arthur's worried gaze in the side mirror. "You can't understand unless you've been in this situation," she thought, her eyes fixed on the passing scenery outside the window. Surprised by her outburst, Damien looked conflicted, then stared out his own window in silence. The tension in the car was palpable. Uncomfortable with the heavy atmosphere, Arthur signalled to Oliver, who reversed out of the parking lot and drove off. Ashleigh, her mind and body drained, managed to get a few moments of sleep as they drove back to the hostel. Arthur, glancing at her peaceful yet troubled face, couldn't help but feel a deep sense of empathy. He remembered his own ordeal with a stalker in high school—a terrifying experience that had left him homebound for months, grappling with fear until therapy finally helped him reclaim his life. Watching Ashleigh now, he recognized the same fear and trauma in her that he had once felt. He knew that to help her break this cycle of fear, they would first need to remove her from this suffocating environment. When Oliver pulled up at the hostel, he turned off the ignition, but Ashleigh remained asleep. The three friends exchanged looks before Arthur gently called her name. 'Ashleigh, we're here," he said softly. She stirred, rubbing her eyes as she noticed their concerned expressions. She reached for her bag, preparing to get out, but was stopped by Oliver's voice. 'Ashleigh, I want you to remember that you're not alone. We're all here for you. We've reported the call, and it's only a matter of time before this guy is caught. Don't let the fear of the unknown consume you—it'll only make things worse," he advised, his calm voice steadying her as he glanced at her through the rearview mirror. 'I'm sorry for being too harsh earlier," Damien added, his tone gentler now as he touched her shoulder. 'I just wanted you to rest. We've been pushing ourselves so hard these last few days, and this exam today is crucial. If you're not rested, you won't be able to focus." Ashleigh could feel the warmth and sincerity in their words, and her defensive stance began to soften. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she quickly lowered her head, not wanting them to see her vulnerability. She twiddled her fingers, trying to hold back the emotion that threatened to spill over. She knew she needed to calm down, but the past few days had left her in a constant state of fight or flight. She had done everything she could to protect herself, but now, the toll was becoming too much to bear. Despite her efforts to suppress them, her sniffles were heard by Arthur, who had been watching her closely. Without a word, he got out of the car, walked around to her side, and gently opened the door. He slid in beside her and wrapped his arms around her in a comforting embrace. 'It's okay," he whispered, holding her close. 'You can cry it out. I've been through this, too. I promise I won't let that man get away with this, no matter what." For a few moments, Ashleigh allowed herself to be vulnerable, leaning into Arthur's embrace as the tears fell. Gradually, her sobs subsided, and she pulled away, wiping the tear stains from her cheeks. 'Thank you, all of you," she said quietly, looking at each of them in turn. They nodded in acknowledgment, understanding the weight of her gratitude. 'So, here's the plan," Arthur began, his tone practical but kind. 'We'll get you some breakfast, and then Damien will come back to pick you up for the lab exam. Does that sound okay?" Ashleigh nodded in agreement, grateful for their support. She gathered her belongings and stepped out of the car, walking slowly into the hostel. As she rode the elevator to her floor, her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. 'What does this person want from me?" she wondered, the fear creeping back in. 'Is this about what Adrian told me—that I'm not just an ordinary orphan?" The memory of that conversation played in her mind as she unlocked her phone and scrolled to Adrian's number. Her thumb hovered over the call button, hesitating. Would reaching out to him bring her closer to understanding what was happening, or would it only complicate things further? Lost in thought, Ashleigh barely noticed when the elevator doors opened on her floor. She walked to her room, still debating whether or not to call Adrian. As she reached for her door handle, it suddenly swung open, startling her. Megan stood there, her arms crossed, her expression a mixture of anger and frustration. 'We need to talk," she said, her voice tense as she grabbed Ashleigh's hand and pulled her into the room.