The library was relatively quiet as students buried themselves in their studies. Papers were strewn across the table where Ashley sat, a clear sign of the mountain of work she had to catch up on. She had been gone for just over a month, and with exams only a month away, the pressure was rising. Returning to school just a week ago hadn’t made it any easier. At least you had agreed to help her.

As she tried to focus on the problem you were currently explaining, her mind kept drifting back to her kidnapping. She knew she was supposed to keep quiet about it, but how could she? You were her best friend.