The Other Girl

That’s when my phone beeps with a text.

I pause at my closed office door and open the message. It’s from an unknown number.

I know what you’ve done.

I drop my bag and stare at the phone screen. Ice-cold dread trickles through my body. All the possibilities as to what the message could mean…one more frightening than the rest. My instincts kick in and I’m already mentally packing essential items—until I realize something about the message.

The message is so vague… They’re bluffing. It has to be a prank. Otherwise the person would’ve announced what they know. I should ignore it, delete the text. In Black Mountain, the worst thing I’ve done is become romantically involved with a student. Which, yes, is a rather offensive discretion—but it’s not criminal. Carter is eighteen.

Against my better judgement, and because I know this message will grip me until I find out more, I reply:

Who is this?

The late bell rings, denoting that the academy is now closed, and agitation seizes my nerves. I wait. I have to find out what this person knows, or at least what they want. No one sends a prank message without some nefarious intent.

Finally, my phone vibrates with a text.

I’m someone who knows the truth, Lanie. You’re lying to everyone, but you can’t fool me.

The world tilts on its axis. The walls feel as if they’re closing in, wavering, and my vision darkens. I press my back against the door and close my eyes.

I breathe through the tightness in my chest and count to ten.

When I open my eyes, the room is still. I slowly punch out a reply to the sender.

Me: What do you want?

Unknown number: Soon.

“What do you fucking want?” I shout at the phone, but no reply comes.

I grip the phone in both hands and have to physically restrain myself from smashing it to the floor. I manage to find the seat in the middle of the office and sink my head between my legs, taking deep breaths.

Dr. Leighton…

I sit up and punch in her contact, and I notice the red smeared across my phone screen. At some point I tore open the healed wounds on my palms. “Damn.”

“Ellis?” Dr. Leighton’s voice is a balm to my frayed nerves.

“Reese, I don’t know what to do. I’m being threatened.”

There’s a lengthy pause where I listen to her sigh. “Is this really a problem for you, Ellis?”

My back straightens. “Someone knows, Dr. Leighton.”

“Someone? You know who it is, don’t you?”

“Sue,” I answer automatically. “She’s the only one that’s been a problem here. But…I don’t know—”

“You know how to deal with her, Ellis. The same way Lanie did.”

I bite my lip as I consider her words. She’s always been my touchstone. “I wanted it to be different here,” I tell her. “It was supposed to be different. I tried so hard.”

“I know,” she says, her voice soothing. “But change is hard, Ellis. We’ve talked about this. Change is the hardest thing a patient can ever do, and then sometimes… Well, sometimes little bitches get in the way of our growth.”

“You’re right.”

“I’m always right.” She laughs lightly. “Now, call me when there’s really a problem. Take care, Ellis.”