Chapter 6: The Hunter Becomes the Hunted

No one was in the dorm. I walked out onto the balcony. Sure enough, my panties had that disgusting fishy smell again.

"Persistent bastard."

I gritted my teeth, sneering. The rage from being slandered had reached its limit. Any last hesitation I had was burned away. It’s my stuff—what’s wrong with disinfecting it?

I put on gloves, poured capsaicin into water, and soaked the panties. After a while, I wrung them out one by one, then carefully brushed on another layer of capsaicin. I sprayed some perfume over them and hung them out on the balcony like usual.

My hands shook as I worked, the late-afternoon sun slanting through the clouds, throwing long shadows across the dorm parking lot. I pictured the creep’s face, the shock, the pain, and for the first time in weeks, a smile crept across my lips.

After all that, I crawled back into bed for a nap.

That evening, the roommates finally came back. Rachel sounded excited:

"Her bag is a limited edition, supposedly worth thousands. Who knows how many old men she’s slept with to get it. I heard it’s trendy for rich old men to compete for college girls now."

Lillian sounded hesitant:

"What if her family gave it to her?"

"Yeah, right."

Rachel’s laughter was especially grating.

"I saw her get out of a Porsche last week, driven by some bald old guy. I heard stage two syphilis rots your face. You guys better stay away from her."

I yanked open my bed curtain with a swish. Rachel jumped, screaming in shock.

"You... when did you get here?"

I waved my phone, showing the recording app.

"Smile for the camera, Rachel. This one’s going straight to the Title IX office. Solid evidence. Enough to nail you for defamation."

Rachel’s face turned bright red.

"I’m telling the truth! Sue me if you can. See who would believe a—"

Lillian grabbed her arm.

"Enough, stop talking."

I couldn’t be bothered with them. I pulled the curtain shut, rolled over, and went back to sleep. I needed to rest up—for when the creep came to me.

I stuffed my earbuds in and let the soft static of white noise drown out their whispers. Sleep came in fits, every muscle still taut from the day’s drama. But I was ready. Let them try me now.

At two in the morning, the whole dorm building was silent. I was sleeping soundly.

Suddenly, a blood-curdling scream rang out.

I shot up in bed, wide awake.

No way?

Did the creep actually... show up?

The dorm lights snapped on.

Down the hallway, I heard feet pounding, doors slamming, someone shouting for security. My heart thudded in my chest. I slipped out of bed, heart pounding. Tonight, I’d finally get to see the look on the creep’s face.