Umbra: Chapter Two

She took the note in her hands, assuming it was from a distraught Orion or, god forbid, Massey, but she was wrong. The handwriting was foreign to her- chicken scratch. It was written so sloppily that it was hard to make out, like someone was in a hurry when they wrote it. Orion’s hand was messy but legible and Massey, surprisingly, had very neat, almost lyrical, handwriting. A thought suddenly occurred to her, how did this person get into her room so quickly? Orion had just been there and she had only been in the bathroom for five minutes. This scared her, who was sneakier than Massey? Perhaps Orion saw who it was when he left, maybe he walked right by the person and didn't even know it.

As she began to read, her eyes grew wider and her brow furrowed.

“My Toby, I have watched you. I have watched you and your little boyfriend, Orion. He is not for you. I am. He is a little scared boy who cannot give you what you seek. He is afraid to tell you that he loves you and always has. I am not like that, if I want to say something I will. If I want to do something, no one can stop me. And if I want something I shall take it as my own. Guess what I want? You. Don't worry. I will come to you soon. You needn't fear. Watch for me, I think you'll know it when I am there. You will become mine, G. ''

Toby's jaw dropped. Was this some kind of joke? She didn't know any other boys besides Orion and Massey. Even though this letter uneased her she slept that night with no dreams, assuming it was a joke from Orion because of her reaction to his confession. Kind of sick though, she thought.

She woke the next morning with no plans of how to spend that weekend. Opening her window, a blast of cool fresh air hit her sleepy face and she decided that’s exactly what she needed. After a quick face wash and throwing on some cozy sweats, October got in her black VW Beetle covered in stickers and drove off. To where she didn't even know, she just needed to get out. Toby drove for half an hour before she came to a park that she used to frequent as a child. Her mother used to take her there before she left. She never knew her father, big surprise. A park was perfect for Toby since she preferred her own company, even as a kid. Toby had always been like that. As a baby she used to cry if someone held her for too long.

She parked the car, got out and sat on a nearby rock. It was near afternoon when she got up to explore. Grabbing the camera she brought with her, she put on her headphones as she began walking about the park. Sneaking behind a few trees enabled her to take pictures of unsuspecting bystanders. Sometimes she got caught though. For the most part they were ok about it after she told them it was for her class. Some were snotty and wanted a copy. Other pretentious people wanted her to destroy the camera altogether. She took pictures for a couple hours before finding a hiding place behind some bushes. She sat under the comfortable shade of a low-hanging tree.

As the day settled into dusk Toby watched the sky light on fire. This was her favorite time of the day, when the sky looked the best and it was so near getting dark. Before it got too dark she decided she should go. Even though this wasn't a crime filled city, it was better to be safe than sorry. So she got up and walked toward her car. Suddenly she heard the telltale sound of leaves crunching behind her. She quickly glanced behind her but saw no one. The noise stopped. Her heart started to race as she continued walking. There was the crunching again. Someone was following her but she couldn’t see anyone and the darker it grew the faster her heart beat. Stumbling over the rocks in an attempt to speed up she turned around to find a guy just standing there looking at her. She turned around and started walking again, this time even faster. The crunching started again as well. As she sped up, the crunching sped up. Her car finally came into view so she broke out in a full sprint. The crunching stopped. With a pounding heart and shortness of breath, Toby managed to unlock her door quickly, get inside, lock the doors again, put the key into the ignition, start it just as there was a thud against her window. She really didn't want to look because she knew who it was. Keeping her eyes shut tight she shifted gears and sped off backwards, making a huge circle before daring to open her eyes. She stopped and shifted gears once more before speeding off down the road not looking back.

When she got back to the campus she quickly got out of the car and ran all the way to her dorm room. She felt the walls of her room shake as she slammed the door behind her, locking it. The windows were next. Everything that proposed an entrance she closed and locked. She looked down at her trembling hands noticing how dirty she was and decided to take a bath. That would help calm her. Maybe she’d have a shot or two of Bailey’s also. So she readied the tub and gathered her night clothes. The first touch of hot soothing water to her toe instantly relaxed her. She let her whole body soak submerged for an hour before washing. The day's events seemed to wash away as her eyelids drooped. That day was meant to be relaxing and fun but it turned into a nightmare.

Toby finally got out and looked at the clock. It was near midnight now and she was tired. She got into bed and right before she drifted off to a well deserved sleep she saw a glint of white on her nightstand. Another note. She cautiously opened it to find the same chicken scratch handwriting and read the short note.

“Never run from me again, by the way you have a beautiful body, I can't wait to ravage it, -G."

What?! That was him in the park? He saw her in the tub, but how? If he was somehow there when she was in the tub, was he still there now? Watching her?

Ravage? Her heart started to beat very fast as she remembered what the word ravage meant. He wanted to rape her. She was now scared more than ever and she decided to call Orion. He quickly came over after hearing the story that scared her so much. He sat on the bed beside her trying to comfort her.

She looked up at him with tear filled eyes, "Will you stay with me?"

He hugged her, "Of course. I'll stay as long as you want."

They laid down and that's when she realized it, she loved him too. She nestled into his chest as he wrapped his arms around her. They stared at each other for the longest time as Toby's face came very close to Orion’s. She landed her lips on his own as their embrace tightened. The kiss got much deeper before Orion pulled away and smiled weakly. Toby was confused as she looked at the doubtful Orion. Soon after that awkward moment she fell asleep.

Orion stayed awake and watched her for a long while, not feeling tired at all. Before he finally shut his eyes to rest he whispered something barely audible.

"I can't."

When she finally woke up the next morning she was alone. The door to her bathroom was half open and she heard someone in there.

"The least you could do is to close the door Orion, I don't wanna see anything."

She laughed and got up. There was no answer from the bathroom as she walked to the kitchen area. It wasn’t like Orion to not have a comeback so she looked toward the bathroom and saw a shadow moving inside. Strangely, it didn't look like Orion. There was something gnawing at her peripheral so she turned to the fridge and saw yet another note.

"Toby, I forgot I had to take a test today. Yeah I skipped the class, mother! Sorry, the test is at 9am and I’m late, I'll see you later and try not to worry. Love, Orion."

Toby looked at the clock above the stove, it read 9:30.

Who was in her bathroom?