In the Trap by Jessica Cranberry

Author:Jessica Cranberry
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: LGBTQIA+, contemporary, lit/genre fiction, college, students, new adult, murder mystery, campus drama, drug and alcohol use, self-harm, no romance, HFN
Publisher: NineStar Press, LLC
Published: 2022-04-01T00:00:00+00:00

I sat back in my chair and waited for Maeve to finish reading. Her upper lip curled as she tried not to laugh at the last line.

“Is this a joke?”

“If it is, it’s not funny,” I said.

Maeve scrolled down the page and clicked on another one. “Are they all like this? Little snippets concerning… I mean, what do you call this?”

“I don’t know.” I scooted away from the desk. “A close call? Harassment? Hazing?”

Maeve clicked on another post. After a while, she said, “Oof, have you seen this one about her dad?”

“I haven’t read any of the others. I just found out they exist.”

I went to grab a drink, and the minifridge came open with a shwuck. The can was cold and wet in my hand. I popped the top and slurped what bubbled over. “What’s it say?”

“That her dad is, like, a sexual predator or something. Maybe an actual serial rapist. Jesus. This is so fucked up.”

My mind stuttered over “rapist.” Mom. Dad. Their lives, our family, had been ended by someone with similar inclinations. Someone who came out of nowhere and ruined lives in the course of an afternoon.

“Hazel? Are you okay?”

“What?”

“I asked you a question, but you’re all pale again.”

“It’s fine. What did you say?”

“I said, ‘Can you even imagine being raised by her dad?’ He’s like a bona fide monster. You’ve gotta read these.”

“We should print them out.”

“You think?” Maeve rotated in her chair, turning back to the screen.

“I do.” I took another sip and noticed my reflection in the bedroom’s full-length mirror. I was all hips, had been a size 9 in middle school, too, just like this dead_papers person. Although no one had ridiculed me over it, and I was well into 14/16 territory now. Was I not supposed to be? Fuck that. “It’s blowing up; check out the comments. If the university doesn’t shut down this account, the police will. I want a hard copy before it’s gone.”

“This person actually thinks there’s a witch in the river, Hazel.” Maeve had gone back to scrolling. “No one is gonna take this seriously. Why would we need a copy?”

I reached into my pocket and grabbed my necklace. “Because of this.”

“Oh.” Maeve held out her hand. “Give me a drink.” I passed her the half empty can of pop. She took a long gulp and hiccupped. “The library lab is open until midnight.”

I shooed her suggestion away. “It’s too close to the crime scene.” No matter what, I wanted to steer clear of the Trap for as long as possible. “They put computers in the basement. I didn’t see if there’s a printer down there, but probably, right? It was packed with people though…”

“You want anyone we know seeing us print this stuff out?”

“No. You’re right. But where else?”

“Oh!” Maeve snapped her fingers. “The grad dorm! They have a full computer lab. And it’s right behind north campus commons. Nobody will know us there.”

“Okay.” I nodded, liking the idea. “Okay, yeah. Let’s go.” My hoodie smelled of Max’s Pizza, and I thought of Doug tucked away in his dorm room—almost always safe.

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