“I don’t know yet.”

It was the most frightening honest answer I had ever given her.

PART 5

Valerie called me back after she reached campus security.

She wasn’t alone, and I could hear a calm voice beside her explaining that officers were confirming the situation.

Only then did my breathing ease.

“Connie’s been calling me,” she said.

“She told me to wait until she understood what was happening.”