Chapter 28

Sophie’s pov ; I stood there a bit longer, waiting for Dominic, but he never showed up. The streetlights were beginning to flicker on, and the sky was darkening. Carolyn noticed I was still there and suggested going home together. But I gave her a small smile and shook my head. “You haven’t eaten dinner yet. Go back first. I can get home on my own.” She looked concerned, glancing at the shadows stretching across the sidewalk. “Is your home far away? I don’t mind taking you.” “No, it’s nearby. Really, I’ll be fine,” I reassured her. It was just as well, since the class monitor called for her, giving me the perfect excuse to send her off. But as I started on my way home alone, I noticed the pathway was dimmer than usual, and there were fewer people out tonight. I tried to keep calm, even as my grip tightened around my cane. Then, out of nowhere, a tall, bulky figure emerged in front of me. He looked at me with a vicious expression, and I felt a jolt of fear. “So, I finally caught you,” h