The Next Morning... Maria woke late—7 a.m. She rushed through her morning routine and met the driver outside. Bernard wasn’t in the car, meaning he wasn’t going to college that day.
She arrived just in time to enter the classroom as the lecturer walked in.
"Good morning, class," Professor Sanders greeted with his usual stern expression.
He was a professor of psychology and human behavior. His lectures were intense and often hard to follow, but Laura always understood them well. She often explained the topics to Maria and the others, helping them excel.
After class, Maria and her friends decided to stretch their legs. As they walked and laughed, she shared stories about the recent events with Bernard and Beta Gilbert.
"I missed my parents during the celebration," Maria confessed. "It felt so strange... Bernard had everyone around him, but I felt so alone."
Her friends offered comfort. Cassandra, ever the cheerful one, jumped on her back and began singing one of Maria’s favorite songs.
They laughed together as they reached the garden—until Laura suddenly held up her hand.
"Wait," she said sharply. "Don’t move. Someone’s following us."
noveldrama The girls froze.
Before anyone could ask if she was serious, a shadow shifted behind them. A figure stood at the edge of the garden, unmoving.
Fear gripped Maria’s chest. She couldn’t move...