BH gogogo~~~~
I was a serious student.
I kept to myself, stayed out of everyone's way, and never hurt a thing that was more sentient than an insect. I was content to interact with the world through the lens of my microscope. I watched from afar as coupled pairs of my peers would walk beneath the cracked window of my lab in the Pagan Hall biology department. I saw them, but always turned away, back to my research.
His name was Tyler.
I saw him first as I came out of the lab at my typical three in the morning on a brisk, snowy night. He was standing by the black stone fountain in the center of the courtyard, his long, curly dark hair blowing behind him in the cold night air. He wore a long, stylish trench coat and a black top hat. As I drew near, I noted his strong, sharp features. A couple days' worth of rugged shadow lined his face. He had the look of a fighter, as if he could burst into action at any moment. But he moved slowly, with what seemed a precise, calculated, calming grace. He looked up at me. He smiled. He strolled off into the night.
He was back the following night, and I watched him near the b1ack stone fountain from the window in the lab. He seemed to be waiting for something. It never crossed my mind he could be waiting for me.
And so our ritual went, night after night, for almost an entire week. In hindsight, I should have asked myself what he was doing there, alone, peering at a frozen fountain in an empty courtyard in the middle of the night. He obviously was not a student. Did he notice my isolation? Did he see me for the outcast I believed myself to be? Did he find it odd that l was alone at the science building, night after night after night?
"Nice night." His voice broke my thoughts, rich and throaty and sensual, the first voice that had spoken to me all weekend. I should have ignored him, I should have gone back into the lab, I should have kept walking, head down, and not looked back. But there was something... I stopped.
I looked into his eyes, and an unexpected quiver of anticipation ran its way along my spine.
I shivered. "It's a little cold."
He smiled. "I like it."
Not sure how to respond, unable to meet his gaze, my eyes dropped to the ground. One of his hand was deep in the pocket of his coat, and I thought for a second he was about to pull a gun. But he merely turned away, and looked up at the sky.
"Mind if I walk with you?"
I did not, and we walked together that night, and the next, and the next. He was witty and charming and courteous and had an enthusiastic interest in biology, and I found myself looking forward to his company. One night, he did not show up to meet me at the fountain, and my mood was sour the following day. I knew I was suffering from an irrational infatuation, and I was loving every minute of it. Tyler was the first man to ever take interest in me, and everything about him, from his carefree personality to his rugged masculinity to his whispered stories of the O'Bannions was fascinating. When I saw him standing near the fountain the following evening, my spirit soared. I headed down to him at once, the first time all semester I had left the lab before sunset.
"Early night?" He asked as I walked across the courtyard.
"There's a storm coming."
"I could give you a lift, if you'd like. I have the van tonight." I can see it now, as I think back. The ominous glint in his eyes that suggested all was not quite right. But honestly? What experience did I have with men?
"OK..." my voice trailed off. He started away, and I hurried to catch up as he walked towards the lot.
I did not even realize I was being kidnapped until we were in the cave.
