Cast & Fall by Janice Hadden Page A

the stare from the
other students that are now looking in our direction.
    “ What?”
I couldn’t believe he was saying this. The accusation seemed to
float in my head, unable to recognize the words.
    “ I
was here before you were.” I answered defensively but rather
meekly, feeling now, the many heated eyes that were glued intently in
our simmering conversation.
    “ I
doubt that,” he accused.
    “ If
you’re not leaving, I guess someone has to.” He said the
words loud, clear and livid, leaving no question in both our minds
that he hated me and he wanted me to know it. He was gone in an
instant.
    I
usually didn’t tolerate anyone talking to me in any rude
manner, but every time I had an encounter with Tristan, he seemed to
walk away so quickly before I could find the courage to set him
straight. I couldn’t believe the rush of different emotions
that took over. I tried to ignore what just happened, but this time
he really crossed the line.
    I
went back to the corner table where I sat, moments before my
altercation, feeling the heat of anger that filled me. I went back to
my studies, wanting so badly to ignore what just happened. I
couldn’t. My mind was way too upset and overwhelmed to even
understand one word I was reading. I found my reaction to him a
little more than unnerving. I wasn’t the type to let anyone
treat me like a doormat. My natural defense mechanism seemed to
deflate without my approval whenever it came to dealing with him.
    Tristan’s
odd behavior was beginning to really get to me. I wanted to cry, a
natural tendency to anger, but settled for slamming my books hard. I
wanted to kick and scream. Why should I let someone intimidate me? I
unzipped my backpack and shoved everything inside. I zipped my bag
close and headed to my car. Recalling the incident again, gave me an
unavoidable headache.
    I
parked two buildings from the library. I usually didn’t mind
the walk, but now, I wished I parked closer. A chill hovered and an
unusual fog seemed to have suspended itself in the air. I zipped my
gray sweatshirt all the way up to my chin and covered my head with my
hoodie.
    Walking
fast, I could hear my own breathing, feeling a little exhausted but
decided to continue the pace. I heard faint footsteps from the
background which I ignored with the confidence that it was just
another student walking in my direction. But then, the footsteps
seemed to have gotten closer and sounded like it was coming toward
me. It could have been my imagination but I looked over my shoulder
anyway, to see—no one. I usually wouldn’t bother scanning
from behind since it wasn’t unusual for many students to pass
in and out of the buildings. But it was dark, and I was also
beginning to feel like someone was following me. Then, it suddenly
occurred to me that violence in campus is more common than most
people think. I hurried my feet even more, realizing there was no
security on site, at least none that I can see—so did the
footsteps. I tried to calm myself, concentrating on the fact that
there would be more students around, once I reached the main
building.
    But
before I could console myself with that fact, suddenly, on the
farthest corner of my eye, I saw a man. I twisted slightly, trying to
see clearly the profile, but I couldn’t see the face. All I
could see was someone with a large build wearing a dark hoodie, head
covered, coming in my direction.
    He
seemed to be walking fast. Then I couldn’t tell after that. He
looked like he was coming for me. Whether or not that was a fact, I
couldn‘t be sure—I ordered my feet and decided to run for
it. I thought better looking stupid than dead.
    T he
dream came in a haze. Fog and mist had dawned in the forest. I was
alone. Large tall trees and its massive trunks blocked everything in
front of my view. Thick roots that looked like long fingers twisted
everywhere, snaking from the bottom up. Large trunks, crept as I was
overwhelmed by their moss stricken bodies. I breathed