Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Roseanne suddenly remembered something Jen had mentioned - there was a creeper near Kingswell University who had a thing for following female students, especially after dark. One girl had already been harassed, and although the police were called, the guy was never caught.

The thought made Roseanne's breath catch in her throat, prompting her to quicken her pace.

But the footsteps behind her sped up too.

Instinctively, her hand moved to the opening of her bag.

Though she often commuted with Owen Reynolds, their schedules sometimes clashed, leaving her to fend for herself.

Living alone had made her accustomed to carrying a can of pepper spray in her bag for a dash of courage and self-defense. She never thought she'd actually have to use it.

The footsteps drew nearer, the shadow looming closer as if to engulf Roseanne's own.

She held her breath, her body tensed, her hand now clutching the cold canister inside her bag.

Just as Roseanne mustered the courage to pull out her pepper spray, preparing to strike first, a familiar voice called out, "Roseanne!" She looked up.

There stood Corley, umbrella in hand, a short distance away, his other hand casually tucked into his pocket, his gaze sharp and protective. The footsteps abruptly ceased.

The figure behind seemed to freeze, then... turned and ran off.

Corley came over quickly, his tough look easing up right away. And he asked gently, "Got scared, huh?"

only now realizing her

around College Road, some creep's been following female students... Yeah, let me know if you hear anything." Still

for comfort,

"You okay?"

might have blurted out a shocked

Corley speak with such

with news

a sight to

shook her head slightly, her voice hoarse, "I'm okay, thank

wet hair and clothes, Corley took off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders, "Let's

her hands clutching the jacket tight around

warm and oversized, enveloped

was free of smoke and sweat,

matched her pace without rushing her, choosing silence over words of

she needed was a

Gradually, Roseanne calmed down.

know to be here?" she

You coming back from the

here

raised an eyebrow, "Turns out, my concerns were