Anne's POV

I stepped out of the reading hall into darkness. My rechargeable lantern was fading, and the starless sky offered nothing but a thick, unsettling abyss.

I gripped my lantern tighter and started down the flights of stairs, straining my eyes against the dark.

It tugged on my mind to go back and wait for my friends, but my brain and body were exhausted from too much reading and little sleep, so I ignored the thought.

Night class has been part of my life since freshman year. Studying away from the hostel, away from the pull of a soft mattress, made reading feel… worth it. Now, in my 300 level, studying Medical Laboratory Science, I couldn’t go a single night without it. My body had practically set its own schedule. Every time I tried reading in the hostel, I’d wake up an hour later with my face in the notes and no memory of drifting off. The bed had its own agenda, and it was never academic.

Usually, I'd leave with a friend or coursemate. Tonight, however, I'd decided to go back alone.

Foolish me.

The hostel wasn’t far. Just a few steps, and I’d be in the light. The road outside the hall was unlit, an undeveloped stretch we called the ‘Sambisa forest.’ But the street leading to my hostel was bright. I just had to reach it.

What could possibly go wrong? From where I was, I could literally see the security house in front of my hotel gate.

I was safe…or so I thought.

Two silhouettes appeared from the corner. One was staggering, leaning onto the taller one.

'Drunks’

I quickened my steps so I could make it to the light, literally. I didn't realise I was holding my breath as they drew close, until I started gasping for air.

I exhaled loudly when they finally passed. "Crisis averted," I whispered to myself.

But I rejoiced too early, because almost immediately, I felt a hand cover my mouth and another grip my arm.

My heart sank.

‘Oh my God, this is not happening!’

I struggled to free my hands, to no avail. Another set of hands grabbed my waist, and I was dragged into the bushes.