Fight or Flight by Natalie J. Damschroder Read Free Book Online

her friend impulsively. Tears pricked her eyes, and she wasn’t sure how much was because of her mother being hurt, and how much the idea she might never see Van again. “Take care. Bye.” She snatched the key Van held out and left.
    In the hall, she hesitated. Panicked flight was stupid, could get her killed. She didn’t know if those after her were here yet, so she didn’t know which way was the safest to go. Shit. Should have gone out the window, like her mother told her the first day. A few students hung out in doorways or lounged on the floor talking on the phone, but she recognized everyone, and they all ignored her. She knocked on the door across the hall. Rachel, a senior, poked her head out.
    “Hey, can I look out your window a sec?” Kelsey asked her. “I need to see if my boyfriend’s here.”
    Rachel made an annoyed face, then shrugged. “Go to town.”
    “Thanks.”
    She switched off the light, ignoring Rachel’s squawk, and moved up to the side of the window. Two women were leaving the building, holding the door open for a guy she couldn’t see clearly. Dammit, they weren’t supposed to do that. They were supposed to be buzzed in. What if he was after her?
    She called out her thanks again, hitting the light switch on her way out. She paused, thinking hard through the daze of shock. He’d probably take the elevator, if he didn’t know her mother had warned her. Otherwise, he’d take the steps. But which ones? The ones to her left were closer to the rest of campus, and more people would be around there. The ones to the right were rarely used because there was nothing at that end of the building except the football field. Shit. Would he use the more vacant stairs, or the ones she’d be more likely to take?
    The ones to the right were closer to Van’s car. She headed that way, certain no matter what she did she’d make the wrong decision. The door hung open, warped hinges keeping it from closing all the way. She leaned in, listening. Silence. She pushed through and headed down, trying to keep her footsteps light and quiet so she could hear if anyone else entered the stairwell. A voice echoed from above, something about pizza, but she made it to the bottom without seeing anyone.
    Just as she reached the door, it opened and a man stepped in, almost bumping into her before he looked up. Her whole body jolted with a burst of adrenaline before she saw his face and those familiar blue eyes.
    “Tom!”
    He grinned happily. “You almost plowed me over again. I need to wear my helmet.” His smile disappeared. “Kels, what is it? What’s wrong?”
    “My mother. I gotta go. I’m sorry, Tom, I love you, but I gotta go, and I may never see you again.” Her voice caught and she angrily brushed away the tears that did more than threaten this time. “She was right,” she whispered. “My mother was right. It’s real.”
    “What?” Confusion turned to shock. “No way!” He grabbed her shoulders. “Talk to me, Kels. Tell me what’s happening.”
    “I can’t . I don’t know . All I know is someone’s after me and my mother’s hurt and I have to go to her!” She bent, trying to pull away from him.
    “Okay, okay. I’ll drive you. My car’s in the stadium lot, I’ll just—”
    “No, it’s too far. I’ve got Van’s keys. I can drive. Tom, I don’t want you hurt!”
    His face hardened and her breath caught. He looked like a man. Tall, strong, solid—someone she could count on. In the midst of her fear and uncertainty, it was as much of a turn-on as his kisses were.
    “Shut up, Kelsey, and let’s go. I’ll drive you. I’m not abandoning you, no matter what’s going on.”
    Tears welled up in the wake of a relief so strong it told her just how afraid she’d actually been. She threw her arms around him, held tight, and dragged him out the door.
    But when they got to the car, Kelsey wanted to scream with frustration. Van stood there, pacing and staring back and forth from the street to