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The police officers searched the entire area, more to calm her than anything else. They knew her attacker wasn’t there, but she was hysterical and needed reassurance. Before sending her home, they made sure Myra had a ride and that she wouldn’t be alone.

Myra’s friend Jay picked her up and took her to his apartment. They’d known each other since grade school, and even though Jay opted for trade school over academia, he stayed local like she did. He knew her well enough not to push her for details about the night. She’d talk when she was ready.

As soon as they walked into Jay’s apartment, Myra threw down her bag and curled up on the couch, despite her friend’s protests about her sleeping in the bed instead.

“Myra,” Jay said quietly. “I’ll take the couch tonight. Go in my room. Please. You’ll sleep better.”

Myra shook her head and closed her eyes, not budging from the sofa. Jay stood over her for a few minutes, and soon he heard her snoring calmly. The ordeal knocked her out.

Her dreams were terrible. She was chased by the intruder. And then she was the intruder, chasing Jeanie. She felt her roommate’s flesh under her fingers as she gripped her neck. And then in an instant, she was back under the bed, shaking and trying not to breathe too loudly.

When Myra woke up she was sweating. It was morning, but she knew Jay wouldn’t be awake this early. She quietly got up and walked toward the window in the kitchen. It was a bright morning, and when she looked down at the street below, she already saw commuters beginning their day. Some bustled to the nearby train station while others strolled with their coffee and briefcases toward their office building.

Myra wondered if news about the attack had spread through the campus. She was skipping class, of course. Would she need a note or something for her professors? She laughed quietly to herself. What a strange thing to think about after such a traumatic night…

Jay insisted she stay at his place for a while. She didn’t have much of a choice since her apartment was currently a crime scene under investigation. The police told her they’d let her know when the apartment was cleared. They were looking for clues about what happened to Jeanie as well as evidence about the intruder.

She watched enough investigative shows to know that it wasn’t like the movies. They wouldn’t have DNA profiles in an hour. It could be months, even a year. She couldn’t live in that apartment, not after what happened.

When Jay woke up, he told her his schedule for the day. He felt terrible about leaving her alone for a few hours, but he couldn’t miss his apprenticeship. Myra assured him she’d be okay, even though she didn’t really believe it herself.

It was about noon when her cell phone started pinging with text messages. When she looked, it was the same sentence over and over again.

“I know where you are, Myra.”