John walked across Antoine's Baptist University's quad with a heaviness that clung to him like the humid Arkansas air. The confrontation with Moriah still echoed in his mind—her tears, her silence, her half-finished confession. He replayed every moment, searching for something he missed. Something she couldn't bring herself to say.
He finally stopped beneath the tall oak tree near the student center, rubbing the back of his neck. He had so many questions. But more than that he had fear. Fear that whatever she was hiding… might break them.
Moriah sat in the practice room of the music building, staring at the piano keys. She should've been rehearsing for her upcoming solo performance, one she'd been looking forward to all semester but she couldn't focus. Not when the weight of her truth pressed against her ribs.
The candle of their relationship had burned brighter each day. But lies, even unspoken ones, cast shadows.
Footsteps approached, soft, hesitant. Moriah didn't turn. She already knew who it was.
"Can we talk?" John's voice was low, steady.
She swallowed hard before nodding.
He stepped inside and closed the door, leaning back against it like he wasn't sure his legs could keep him standing.
"Moriah… you said you were going to tell me something. Something important."
She clenched her hands in her lap, forcing herself to meet his gaze.
"I should have told you a long time ago. I wanted to. But every time I tried, I froze."
John's chest tightened.
"What is it?"
She inhaled shakily, tears already forming.
"My ex… he didn't really leave the picture. Not completely."
John felt something twist sharply inside him.
Moriah continued, "We broke up last year. It was messy. Toxic. But he never fully let go. He'd text me. Call me. Sometimes I show up in places I didn't expect him to be."
John's voice cracked. "Moriah… why didn't you tell me?"
"Because I didn't want to drag you into it. I wanted something new something good. Something that wasn't stained by my past."
John sank onto the piano bench beside her.
"Is he dangerous?"
She hesitated.
"…He wasn't at first. But lately…" She shook her head. "He's been unpredictable."
John exhaled slowly, heart pounding. He thought of the strange messages Moriah mentioned weeks ago. The way she looked over her shoulder at night. The fear hidden behind her smile.
"So when you said you were scared," he whispered, "you meant literally."
Moriah nodded, tears spilling over.
John reached for her hand hesitant, unsure.
"I wish you trusted me enough to tell me sooner."
"I'm sorry," she whispered. "I was afraid you'd walk away."
He squeezed her hand gently.
"I'm here. But we have to face this, Moriah. Both of us."
She leaned into him, the room silent except for their breathing.
But outside, someone stood in the dim hallway, listening… watching…
And he wasn't ready to let her go.
Moriah didn't know it yet. John didn't know it yet. But the past they feared was no longer behind them.
It had followed them.
And it was much closer than either of them realized.
Late Friday evening settled over campus like a shiver. Streetlights flickered to life, casting long shadows over the pathways winding through Antoine's Baptist University. John and Moriah walked side by side toward the dorms, their steps slow, the weight of their earlier conversation hanging between them.
John kept glancing around, alert. A chill crawled up his spine he couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching.
Moriah hugged her books to her chest. "You don't have to walk me home every night," she said softly.
"Yes," John replied. "I do."
As they turned the corner near the quiet courtyard, Moriah stopped suddenly.
"John."
Her voice was barely a whisper.
He followed her gaze and froze.
A man stood under the lamppost. Hands in his pockets. Hood pulled low.
Watching.
John stepped slightly in front of Moriah, heart hammering. "Do you know him?"
"…Yes."
The answer was barely audible.
The man took a step forward, face still hidden.
"Moriah," he said, voice smooth but edged with something sharp. "You don't call. You don't answer. I thought we should catch up."
John's jaw clenched. "Who are you?"
The man finally lifted his chin.
Dark eyes. A faint smirk. A familiarity that made Moriah's breath stutter.
"Name's Damien," he said. "Her boyfriend."
Moriah's voice broke. "Ex. You're my ex."
Damien shrugged, stepping closer. "Same thing."
John moved again, blocking him. "Back up."
Damien's grin widened. "And you must be the new project. You think she's honest with you? Think she told you everything?"
John swallowed, fury burning behind his ribs. "Leave. Now."
Damien tilted his head like he found the situation amusing. "Relax, freshman. I'm not here for you." His gaze slid to Moriah. "I'm here for her."
She trembled.
"I told you," she whispered, "it's over."
Damien stepped even closer.
"See, that's the problem. You keep saying that… but you never mean it."
John's hands curled into fists. "I said step back."
Damien's expression shifted only for a second—but John caught it. Anger. Possession. Something unstable.
Then footsteps echoed from behind them campus security approaching.
Damien's eyes darted toward the officers.
His smirk returned.
"This isn't over," he whispered, backing away.
Before John could react, Damien disappeared into the darkness beyond the courtyard.
The security officers approached, asking questions, but Moriah could barely speak. Her hands shook violently.
John gently placed an arm around her. "It's okay," he murmured. "He's gone."
But her eyes filled with fear.
"No," she said, voice trembling. "You don't understand. Damien doesn't give up. He doesn't… let go."
John felt a cold weight settle in his chest.
Because he believed her.
As they finally reached the dorm, Moriah clung to him.
"John… I'm scared he's going to do something."
John held her tightly.
"I won't let anything happen to you."
But deep down, he knew this wasn't a simple breakup gone wrong.
This was a storm. And it was only just beginning.