/1/127126/coverbig.jpg?v=da556b0b5c14b6374514b6fcc88ba342&imageMogr2/format/webp)
with the professor be
fluorescent bulb buzzing overhead. I stood frozen, clutching my empty folder like a flimsy shield.
. Nothing I wore could
at the door, swallowing the sour
3B-
ll with age: Professor Charles Oregan
partment just hours ago. He had been caught red-handed cheating on the final exam. The disciplinary board meeting was scheduled for tomorrow m
. He is the only one who can wipe the logs before the board meets. He's liked you for a long time... I know he's much older, but you u
t love meant stepping into the fir
st and knocked
k hall. Professor Oregan stood in the doorway, his pale eyes crinkled with a sickening smile.greeted warmly.
lock clicking into place. The office smelled of thick cologne l
ing faux-leather couch. "
talented student. It's a shame about the cheating accusation." He paused, casting a dar
. It was all
irk. "Then let's not wast
ne by one, they came undone. The blouse slid from my shoulders, falling to the floor
breasts, humming softly. "Even better than I imagi
' name, but I choked it down. This was the pric
k what wasn't his. I stared at the ceiling, fixing my eyes on a water s
he ordered, his e
y knees hit the thin, dusty carpet. I could smell the old coffee and the rot on th
he com
mer waves roll in during freshman year. I counted the ceiling tiles over and over again to drown out the sound of Oregan's heavy, breathless grunt
d into his chair, sweating and smiling
"Williams is in the clear. As promised. Smile nex
t without l
rtment. I knocked once. The door ripped open. Williams stood there, anxiety etched into every line of hi
like his clean laundry
atiently, following m
voice sounding hollow. "You'r
sinking onto the couch. "God.
at my shaking hands. "He touched m
reached out slowly, pulling me into his arms. "I'm sorry," he muttered into my hair
myself sink into his embrace,
ained my eyes, watching the
ize the deal. I still have the original log drive. If you aren't t
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