Footsteps slow on the linoleum, I scanned the room right away - Professor Carter's face stood out before anything else.
A beat passed. Daniel stood beyond the doorway, speaking with someone from the department. Our glances caught mid-hallway. A breath. That tiny stretch of time made my pulse jump, my gut twist. The moment faded fast.
His eyes shifted before hers did.
Forty-two days stretched like a road without end.
Day Five Thirty Eight Days Left
The screen on my phone turned bright just before midnight.
Unknown: "Can't sleep. Keep thinking about Tuesday night. This is going to be harder than I thought."
Unknown: "This is Daniel btw. I got a burner phone. For us."
Unknown: "Is that crazy? That feels crazy."
Me: "It's crazy."
Unknown: "Should I return it?"
Me: "No. Keep it. I like knowing I can talk to you."
Unknown: "Good. Because I spent an hour at the store trying to figure out which one to buy."
Me: "An hour?"
