Thou Shalt Not Kill

Cassie

I’m currently in the library at my University trying to cram as much reading in as possible, I’m a freshman here at the University of Michigan, barely here a month and I’m not sure I’m going to get through this semester, the Professors don’t mess around. Not if my mock test result was anything to go by!

I groan as I try to block out the noises around me, don’t people realise this is a fucking library? I can hear music blasting from someone’s air pods two tables away! How can he possibly concentrate on his studying with that noise? Then there’s the couple behind me, making out. The sound of them sucking each other’s faces off makes me cringe, like get a room!

After another five minutes I can’t take it anymore, so I slam my book closed and stuff it in my bag, I would study in my dorm room, but my roommate likes her music and her boyfriend, so I can’t really get any solace there either, unless they go to a party.

Sarah is nice enough. She’s tried to get me to go with her, but I refuse. The party scene isn’t for me, I need to keep my head in my studies so I can bag my dream job, I can’t afford any distractions, especially boys.

Sarah’s boyfriend Kade, likes to make me uncomfortable, they can tell I’m embarrassed when I catch them making out on the small sofa we have, Sarah laughs and apologises and takes it to her room, Kade sends me a smirk and a wink, making my cheeks heat further. I have zero experience with boys, sure I’ve kissed and fooled around, but that’s it. Like I say I need to keep my head down and study.

As I reach my door I place my ear to it, I can’t hear anything so I pray it’s empty. I slowly open the door and peek inside, nothing! Sagging in relief I go in and throw my bag on the counter, I need a coffee, I’ll be able to get some more studying done while I have the place to myself.

It’s not a bad dorm room, as far as dorm rooms go. The building is clean and one of the newer ones added over the years, my parents wanted to get me an apartment off campus, but my dad’s medical bills piled up after his death, and I told my mom and older brother Alex, I’d stay on campus, I rub my chest at the thought of my dad, he was our rock, our glue and then came the news he had cancer. No possibility of fighting it, there was nothing that could be done. Six months later he passed away.

That was eight months ago, but the bills keep coming, I know Alex is helping mom out and that’s why I can’t get distracted, I need to get my degree so I can help her out to.

I curse Sarah when I see she’s used all the milk, she never replaces it straight away. Sighing I grab my bag and remove the books before swinging it over my shoulder, looks like another trip for supplies! I get to the door and cast another glance at the books, thinking if I should just go to the coffee shop on campus, grab a coffee and study there? Checking the time, I realise most classes will be finishing so it’ll either be busy, or it will be soon enough. So I’ll just pop to the convenience store just off campus and get some milk, maybe some snacks for later.

Once I leave the store, I pull my coat tighter around me, it’s early October and the temperature is starting to drop. It’s eerily quiet, but it is Friday, people will be getting ready to party the weekend away, sometimes I wish I could be like everyone else and just let go, but there’s too much banking on me.

I hear my phone ring and pull it from my pocket, smiling when I see Alex’s name on the screen.

“Hey big bro.”

“Hey Cas, how’s things going? Are you settling in?”

“Things are ……..okay.”

“What’s wrong? Did something happen?”

“No, it’s just hard, you know? I failed my first mock test, like spectacularly.” I groan.

“I’m sure you’ll be fine, you’re one of the smartest people I know.”

“How’s mom?”

“She’s doing okay, sends her love. But she’s getting better, she’s smiling more, going out.”

“Good, I’m glad.”

I hear a car sliding to a stop next to me making me jump, but when I turn no one gets out, probably just kids trying to scare people, idiots.

“What was that?” Alex asks.

“Just kids m……….. AHHHH, GET OFF ME!” I scream as arms wrap around my waist I can hear Alex screaming for me as my phone falls from my hand.

I thrash around before I’m thrown to the ground, my head smashing against the concrete, everything goes blurry as I try to get my bearings, I can still faintly hear Alex screaming.

“Alex?”

All of a sudden a fist smashes into my face. “Shut the fuck up bitch!” Someone, a man snarls.

“Please don’t hurt me, let me go.” I sob out as he tightly ties my hands, the rope cutting into my wrists.

Another punch lands to my stomach knocking the wind from me and I gasp.

“I SAID SHUT THE FUCK UP!”

I can’t move, I can barely breathe from the hit.

“Help me get her in the trunk, hurry the fuck up before someone comes.” I hear as I’m chucked over a shoulder, I try to call out to Alex, to let him know the colour of the car, the make anything, but I can’t I’m still winded.

I’m thrown into the trunk and my head catches the side, making me cry out. A hand grabs my jaw squeezing hard, I try to focus on the face in front of me, but its contorted.

“I’m going to enjoy breaking you, you obviously can’t follow simple fucking instructions. One more fucking noise from you and I will slit your throat, or cut your tongue out, I haven’t decided yet!” He hisses and he shoves my face back before slamming the trunk closed.

Tears burn my eyes as I choke back a sob, what the fuck just happened? Oh my god, are they going to kill me?