Fraternity House – College Campus, 11:42 PM

The music thudded loudly, the strobe lights flashing too bright in her eyes. The laughter, the chatter, the clinking of bottles—it all felt so overwhelming. But it was the eyes that made her skin crawl.

Every time she moved through the crowd, she felt them on her. People turning their heads just a second too late. Eyes following her every step. She thought she might suffocate in here.

Trying to ignore the feeling, she moved toward the hallway, passing by a half-open door.

Her name.

“She’s here. I saw her walk past.”

A low voice, unfamiliar but distinct.

“We still doing it tonight?”

Another voice, darker, colder.

“Yeah. Let’s finish what we started.”

Her pulse quickened. She didn’t need to hear more to know what they were planning. They were talking about her.

Without thinking, she turned and tried to move toward the exit, the crowd parting just enough to let her slip through—but just as she reached the door, someone stepped in her path.

A tall guy, grinning like a predator.

“Hey there, where you off to so soon?”

She stopped in her tracks, forcing herself to stay calm. “Let me through.”

He stepped closer, blocking her path entirely. “What’s the rush, princess? The fun’s just getting started.”

She felt the eyes of the party behind her, the weight of them pressing down on her shoulders. The whispers started to get louder.

“I said, let me through.” Her voice was steady, but her hands were already curled into fists.

His grin only grew. “I think you’re in the wrong place. You don’t belong here.”

Behind her, the door to the room clicked open. Footsteps. More people, too many for her to handle alone.

She could feel it now. The danger. The trap.

“Move.” Her voice had lost its calm edge, now sharp and commanding.

The guy didn’t move. He reached out, grabbing her arm, his fingers digging in.