Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Roseanne suddenly remembered something Jen had mentioned - there was a creeper near Kingswell University who had a thing for following female students, especially after dark. One girl had already been harassed, and although the police were called, the guy was never caught.

The thought made Roseanne's breath catch in her throat, prompting her to quicken her pace.

But the footsteps behind her sped up too.

Instinctively, her hand moved to the opening of her bag.

Though she often commuted with Owen Reynolds, their schedules sometimes clashed, leaving her to fend for herself.

Living alone had made her accustomed to carrying a can of pepper spray in her bag for a dash of courage and self-defense. She never thought she'd actually have to use it.

The footsteps drew nearer, the shadow looming closer as if to engulf Roseanne's own.

She held her breath, her body tensed, her hand now clutching the cold canister inside her bag.

Just as Roseanne mustered the courage to pull out her pepper spray, preparing to strike first, a familiar voice called out, "Roseanne!" She looked up.

There stood Corley, umbrella in hand, a short distance away, his other hand casually tucked into his pocket, his gaze sharp and protective. The footsteps abruptly ceased.

The figure behind seemed to freeze, then... turned and ran off.

Corley came over quickly, his tough look easing up right away. And he asked gently, "Got scared, huh?"

Roseanne's tense nerves relaxed, and she exhaled deeply, only now realizing her clothes were soaked with cold sweat, her limbs weak.

Corley steadied her, then took out his phone, "Hey, Abe, keep an eye out around College Road, some creep's been following female students... Yeah, let me know if you hear anything." Still immersed in her fright, Roseanne found herself speechless.

Corley seemed to want to wrap his arms around her for comfort, but hesitated, his hands lifting but eventually resting back at his sides.

"You okay?"

If Cliff had been there, he might have blurted out a shocked "Damn,"

having heard Corley speak with such tenderness.

Content belo" with news to

It was a sight to behold!

Roseanne shook her head slightly, her voice hoarse, "I'm okay, thank you..."

Noticing her wet hair and clothes, Corley took off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders, "Let's get you home."

Roseanne didn't resist, simply nodding, her hands clutching the jacket tight around her.

His black suit jacket, warm and oversized, enveloped her like a protective shield.

It was free of smoke and sweat, carrying a faint scent of mint.

Sharing an umbrella, Corley matched her pace without rushing her, choosing silence over words of comfort.

He knew all she needed was a little time.

Gradually, Roseanne calmed down.

"How did you know to be here?" she asked.

"It's late. You coming back from the lab alone isn't safe."

"So you just waited here for two, three hours?!"

"Mm-hmm," he raised an eyebrow, "Turns out, my concerns were valid, weren't they?"

He chuckled lightly, continuing, "Without those few hours of waiting, how would I have had my heroic moment? So you see, the universe is fair-effort leads to reward.

Corley's logic cracked Roseanne

She was thankful he was there

today, shuddering to think had

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would have happened if he hadn't been.

"Thank you." She meant it.

up

Corley playfully protested, "Why do you always thank me? Can't you say something else?"

"Like what?"