Glancing at the clock, I had about two hours until I needed to be at the visitor's center on campus. Only just realizing I hadn't eaten all day, I was reluctant to open my fridge. I didn't remember what I'd put in there over a week ago, but to my surprise, there were some fresh fruits and vegetables, milk, eggs, bacon, and a handful of other things I usually didn't buy. I was the farthest thing from a chef.
I grabbed the lunch meat and searched the cabinets for some bread; finding a fresh loaf, I made a sandwich. While I ate, I searched my phone, discovering the new contact that had been added. Under the name 'Medical Emergency' was a phone number I did not recognize, but it had a New York area code, which left me curious.
Grabbing my backpack, I retrieved my laptop and did a backward search on the number, but nothing came up. My thumb hovered over the number, debating whether I should call it and find out who was on the other end, but I didn't.
I didn't want to give him any more reason to steal me away again.
An hour before I was supposed to be on campus, I debated whether I should take the subway purely for the comfort of being in a public space or if I should call a cab. In the end, I decided I'm too shaken to pay attention enough to navigate the underground system.
Time seemed to evade me, my thoughts swirling around and around. Finally, I had no choice but to shove them away and focus on the tour, otherwise--I'd be late. Scurrying to gather my purse, keys, and cell phone, I rushed out to the street, but as I raised my hand to flag a taxi, a black Lincoln sedan rolled up to the curb.
A gentleman in a black suit stepped out of the passenger seat.
"Ma'am, if you would." He held the rear door wide open for me, but I was already shaking my head. No way was I about to get into that car.
"You have me mistaken with someone else." I turned away, flagging down a taxi, but the man did not budge.
"Miss Ward, I insist." My heart stopped. He knew my name. "I do not wish to report that you've missed the tour on account of me." He stared at me, and something within me convinced me he isn't going to hurt me. Yet, at the same time, I couldn't help but feel the pressure of being late.
Against my better judgment, I climbed into the car.
But then again, I've made mistakes before. Was this one of them?
We moved across the city in silence. Every once in a while, the driver spared a glance at me through the rearview mirror but nothing more than that. I was a bundle of nerves the entire time, but I did my best not to plaster my anxiety all over my face.
What surprised me was that my abductor, this mystery man, must have been the one to arrange the tour after I missed the first one. Of course, he already knew where I lived; this shouldn't have surprised me, but it still did because it was as if he cared in some strange way. He had cared enough to give me my phone back and to restock my groceries. And now, he'd rescheduled the one thing that I had waited all summer for. This was just the the next step in making Columbia happen.
Briefly, I was reminded of his words.
I know a great deal about you, Roisin. Perhaps more than you know yourself.
Before I knew it, the car slowed and came to a stop near the visitor's center. The same man climbed out of the passenger seat and held the door open for me.
"The tour should last about an hour. When you're finished, return here, and we will escort you home."
"Umm, thanks," I mumbled, turning toward the campus. The word escort had not been lost on me. Although, it felt like more than that--like I was a prisoner.
Standing in front of the magnificent building was a woman in an uncomfortably tight pencil skirt and cardigan. With perfectly coiled hair and oversized pearl earrings, she stepped forward, extending a hand.
"Welcome to Columbia University, Miss Ward. I am Emily; I'll be leading your tour today." I shook her hand. "When you missed your scheduled tour last week, I was surprised to hear from you at all. We have a strict disregard for no-shows. Of course, with such a generous donation, we were willing to make an exception." She was still shaking my hand vigorously, I might add.
"I do appreciate it." The words stumbled out of my mouth. Surely, she had me confused with someone else. There seemed to be a lot of that lately.
"Right, this way then. We'll start with the library."
We ventured through the campus for the next hour, where Emily shared interesting tidbits about the architecture, the alumni, and the amenities available to students. She seemed oblivious to the fact that while I was with her psychically, I was mentally elsewhere. I was distracted, thinking about the kind of power this man had and how my time was disappearing. Soon, I'd be expected to return, and then what?
I shivered the thought away.
Clearly, Emily thought the donation had come from me, but I barely had enough to pay for the first semester's tuition, let alone afford a donation.
