The Degrees of Obsession

Chapter10

Marilyn threw her hair up into a quick ponytail after she combed through it for a few minutes. Koko, who was on the bed scrolling through her phone, glanced up at her.

"I forgot to tell you, I saw Alyssa today when you went to submit your report." Said Koko, sitting up and leaning her back against the headboard.

Marilyn slid her hand beneath her sweatshirt to apply some deodorant. "Really? Did you guys talk?"

"When she caught sight of me, she tried to pretend she hadn't. But you know me, I made my way to her and stood right in front of her. I'm telling ya, that girl has something going on. She looked unkempt, her shirt was inside out, and she kept glancing behind her as if to check if someone was following her." She tossed her phone to the other side of the bed and watched Marilyn as she dressed up.

Marilyn sat down on the chair next to her bed and put on her converse.

"Did she say anything?"

"She just told me she missed us, and she wished things were different. She didn't even give me a chance to speak before scurrying off in the opposite direction."

"I really do hope whatever is wrong with her, she gets it figured out eventually," Said Marilyn, after tying her laces.

"Me too." Mumbled Koko.

"I have to go now," Marilyn said, heading toward the door.

"Girl, It's past nine," Koko said, frowning. Why would you want to go for a run at this time?"

Marilyn pursed her lips and sighed, "It's been a long-ass week, I just want to clear my head. Besides, it's not like this is the first time I'm going for a run at this time. Remember sophomore year? I used to go around eleven. It's just so serene at these times."

"Yeah...I know...but-"

"I'll be fine Koko, I'm not going too far. I'll stop at St. Jude's Crescent, then make my way right back." Marilyn cut in.

"Okay fine."

Marilyn was about to head out the door when she stopped abruptly and turned around. "Wait! Aren't you supposed to be on a date with Luis?"

Koko waved her hand dismissively, "It's not a date. I only agreed to it because I didn't want to be rude. Don't get me wrong, he's handsome, really handsome, and I love his accent, but he's just not my type."

Marilyn sighed, shut the door and marched over to Koko's wardrobe.

Stumbling out of bed, Koko followed her best friend who was already rummaging through the crowded racks and tossing a silver sequined dress onto the bed.

"Lyn! What are you doing?"

Marilyn ignored her and crouched down to find shoes to match the dress. When she found the perfect pair, she got up and thrust them toward Koko, who was just staring at her with her mouth hanging open.

"You're going on that date, you just can't stand someone up like that."

Koko dropped the shoes onto the floor and held Marilyn by the hands.

"I can't. It was supposed to be at eight. I told him I had a stomach bug, he totally understood and even offered to come check on me, which I declined, of course. Anyway, I've rescheduled for another day.

Marilyn scratched her head, "Well, okay then."

Koko nodded, "Now go for your run, it's getting late," she said, pushing her out the door. Marilyn couldn't help but laugh.

"Stay safe Lyn, I love you," Said Koko.

"Love you too, Koko," Marilyn said, blowing a kiss before jogging off.

*******

The cool evening air hit Marilyn's face as she hit the pavement, her converse striking a comforting rhythm against the asphalt. The street wasn't totally devoid of people; a few others were either jogging too or casually strolling. In the far distance, she could hear the faint sound of dogs barking.

Her Air pods blasted, break a sweat by Becky G as she picked up her pace, shaking out the tension in her shoulders.

After running for fifteen minutes, she finally got to St. Jude's Crescent. There was an old wooden bench there, so she sat down to rest and catch her breath before heading back. She instantly regretted wearing shorts as the sharp night air began to bite at her bare legs. Unbeknownst to her, that same washed-out grey vintage 1970s Mercedes-Benz, which was trailing behind them some weeks ago, was parked behind a huge tree not too far from the bench she was sitting on, watching her every move.

She spent another fifteen minutes, replying to messages from her family group chat before eventually getting up to head back to the dorm.

Marilyn glanced down at her smartwatch to check her distance, but a quick movement out of the corner of her eyes made her slow her stride. Her eyes scanned around the almost now streets, but there was nothing out of place.

A sudden shiver ran down her spine as she picked up her pace. She glanced over her shoulder, the street behind her was empty, save for a few parked cars.

She took out her phone to call Koko to come pick her up, but she never got the chance. A heavy hand clamped over her mouth from behind, sending her phone falling out of her hand with a loud smash. She flailed and squirmed with all her might, but the attacker was too strong.

Before she could manage to struggle out of their tight grip or even get a glimpse of whoever it might be, the person used a cloth soaked in a sharp chemical-smelling sedative, to press hard against her nose. Her struggles weakened, darkness overtook her and her hands fell to her sides.

The person hoisted her limp body up and put her in the backseat of the beat-up car parked a short distance from where Marilyn had been sitting earlier, before zooming off into the night.