Chapter 7
1417 Words
ONE YEAR LATER…
AUDREY’S POV
I glanced around the bustling medical school campus still adjusting to my new life. It was hard to believe I was actually here. A year ago the thought of med school had seemed out of reach but an unexpected twist had changed everything. The anonymous scholarship no strings attached had paid my tuition and now I was living my dream.
A buzz in her pocket pulled her attention to her phone. It was a message from Emily one of her new friends in class.
“Hey are you coming to the library? Rachel and I saved you a spot” Emily had texted.
I quickly replied “On my way!” and started walking toward the library, my thoughts drifting back to the mystery surrounding her scholarship.
Who was my benefactor?
I couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was watching out for me yet every time i tried to look into it I hit a dead end.
When I arrived at the library Emily and Rachel greeted me warmly.
“You’re late!” Rachel teased. “Did you stop for coffee again?”
I couldn’t help myself but laugh, waving my cup. “Maybe I did. Can’t get through anatomy without it.”
They dove into their books but after a while Emily glanced up curiosity in her eyes. “Hey Audrey I’ve always meant to ask—who’s funding your studies? Med school isn’t exactly cheap.”
I paused, caught off guard. Actually hadn’t shared much about my mysterious scholarship with anyone.
“Oh it’s a scholarship” I said with a shrug hoping to sound casual. “I guess I just got lucky.”
Rachel raised an eyebrow clearly suspicious but didn’t press the issue. Instead Emily smirked steering the conversation in a different direction.
“Speaking of luck how’s Matthew?” Emily asked. “Are you two official yet?”
I felt a warm blush spread across my cheeks at the mention of Matthew. He was charming attentive and made me laugh like no one else.
He has been a big blessing.
“It’s... going well. We’re taking things slow” i replied trying to sound nonchalant.
Just then her phone buzzed again. This time it was from an unknown number. My stomach twisted as I opened the message.
I hope you’re enjoying the gift Audrey. There’s more to come.
The ominous words sent a chill down my spine. Noticing her shift in mood Rachel leaned over, her eyes full of concern.
“Hey are you okay?” she asked.
I forced a smile tucking my phone away. “Yeah just a weird text. Probably a scam.”
But deep down I knew it wasn’t a random message. There was someone out there someone who knew more about me than they should.
---
That evening I and Matthew met for dinner at a cozy café near campus. His eyes lit up as I walked in, flashing me a charming smile.
“Hey you look beautiful” he said.
“Thankuuuu Matthew” I replied with a cheeky smile. “You’re not looking so bad yourself.”
We chatted as we ate but after a while Matthew’s expression grew serious. “I’ve been thinking... about us” he said his voice gentle but earnest. “I really like you Audrey. I know you’ve got a lot going on but I want to be there for you whatever you need.”
My heart fluttered. Of course I liked Matthew truly but the strange messages and the mystery of my scholarship—my hazy life— weighed on my mind.
“I like you too Matthew” I said softly “but there are some things I haven’t figured out yet. I’m not sure I’m ready for... everything.”
He reached across the table taking my hand. “You don’t have to go through things alone Audrey. Whatever it is you can trust me.”
Before I could respond a server approached carrying a small wrapped package. “This is for you miss” he said handing it to me.
The way my heart pounded as I took the package, scared me. My name was scrawled on the wrapping but there was no note. I looked around the café half-expecting to see someone watching me but the room was full of strangers.
Matthew frowned. “Who’s that from?”
“I... I don’t know” I honestly replied, with hands shaking as I unwrapped it.
Inside was a delicate gold locket. I opened it to find a small photo of myself from years ago—my high school graduation. The sight of it sent chills down my spine.
“This is creepy” Matthew muttered his face dark with concern. “You need to tell someone.”
“I don’t even know who I’d tell” I murmured struggling to steady her breathing. “It’s not the first time I’ve gotten something like this.”
---
Back at her apartment that night I paced around the locket clutched in her hand. Why now? And who could possibly know so much about me?
A knock on the door startled me.
I opened it cautiously to find a bouquet of lilies—my favorite flowers—lying on her doorstep. A note was tucked among the petals.
“You’re closer than you think Audrey.”
My heart raced as I scanned the empty hallway but no one was there. Trembling, I shut the door locking it behind me.
Needing reassurance I decided to call Matthew. When he answered his voice was warm but quickly turned concerned as I explained.
“There’s a bouquet outside my door” I babbles, my voice barely steady. “With a note. It’s from... them. I’m scared Matthew. What if they’re watching me?”
“Don’t open the door for anyone” he replied firmly. “I’m coming over.”
As I waited for him to arrive, my phone buzzed with another message from the unknown number.
You can trust Matthew... or can you?
My blood ran cold as I read the words. When Matthew arrived I showed him the message, my hands shaking.
“This is serious” he said his voice dark with worry. “We need to go to the police.”
I nodded slowly still unsure. “Maybe you’re right... but what if it just makes things worse?”
He pulled me into a tight hug. “I won’t let anything happen to you Audrey. We’ll figure this out together.”
---
A week passed but the messages kept coming. I tried to stay focused on my studies but the tension grew. One evening as I was studying with Emily and Rachel my phone buzzed again. This time it was a voice note from the unknown number. I hesitated then pressed play.
A distorted voice crackled through the speaker. “You’re on the right path Audrey. But trust no one—not even those closest to you.”
Emily and Rachel exchanged worried glances.
“Audrey this is getting out of hand” Emily urged. “You have to tell someone.”
“What if it’s someone you know?” Rachel asked glancing around nervously. “Someone from school?”
My mind raced.
A mysterious benefactor?
As I looked at Emily and Rachel paranoia twisted in my gut and I wondered if they too could sense the unease growing inside me.
---
That night I sat alone in her apartment staring at the gold locket. The question kept running through her mind—who was doing this? And why?
My phone buzzed with one final message from the unknown number.
‘Tick tock Audrey. Time is running out.’
A surge of frustrating fear bubbled up inside me.
I grabbed her coat and headed outside determined to confront whoever was behind this torment. As I stepped onto the sidewalk I spotted a shadowy figure across the street watching me.
My breath caught.
“Who are you?” I called out, my voice trembling. “Why are you doing this?”
“HEY!!”
The figure turned and walked away disappearing into the darkness. I ran after them but by the time I reached the corner they were gone.
I returned to my apartment only to find another note taped to my door.
‘The truth will cost you Audrey. Are you ready to pay the price?’
In my heart, I knew this was only the beginning.
- Writer
