Somehing off

Back in Cortney's dorm, Tara helped Cortney get settled into bed. "You okay, girl?" Tara asked, stroking Cortney's hair. "I don't know... I feel so strange," Cortney murmured, her eyes half-lidded. Tara leaned closer, her hand sliding down Cortney's arm. "Maybe you need something to take your mind off things." Cortney looked up at her roommate, a confused but willing expression on her face. Tara's lips met hers, and Cortney didn't pull away. The kiss deepened as Tara's hands roamed over Cortney's body, exploring her curves. Cortney moaned softly, her own hands tangling in Tara's hair. They made out passionately, clothes rustling and shifting as bodies pressed together. Tara pulled back, looking at Cortney with burning intensity. "You want this?" she asked. "Yes," Cortney breathed, pulling Tara back down onto her. Their mouths met again, tongues dancing as they explored each other. Tara's hand slid under Cortney's shirt, cupping her breast. Cortney arched into the touch, a soft moan escaping her lips. They continued kissing and touching, losing themselves in the moment, the earlier confusion forgotten as new sensations took over

Tara's hands moved to the hem of Cortney's shirt, slowly lifting it up. The fabric rose, revealing Cortney's toned stomach and the underside of her bra. Cortney's breath hitched as the cool air hit her skin. "Lift your arms," Tara whispered, her voice husky with desire. Cortney complied, and Tara pulled the shirt over her head, tossing it aside. Tara's eyes roamed over Cortney's exposed torso, drinking in the sight. She leaned down, pressing soft kisses along Cortney's collarbone, trailing down to the swell of her breasts. Cortney moaned, her fingers tangling in Tara's hair. "That feels so good," she breathed. Tara's hand reached behind Cortney's back, unclasping her bra with practiced ease. The garment fell away, and Tara's mouth found Cortney's nipple, sucking gently. Cortney arched her back, a sharp gasp escaping her lips. "More," Cortney begged, her voice trembling. Tara obliged, her tongue circling the sensitive nub before switching to the other breast. Her hand slid down Cortney's stomach, fingers dipping below the waistband of her shorts. Cortney's hips bucked instinctively, seeking more contact. "I want you," Cortney whispered, pulling Tara up for a deep kiss. "All of you." Tara smiled against her lips. "You've got me." Their bodies intertwined, clothes discarded piece by piece, as the night deepened around them. Moans and whispers filled the room, two women lost in each other, the earlier strangeness of the evening fading into the background of their shared passion.

Next day Bryce awakens to the pale morning light filtering through the dorm room blinds. He blinks, disoriented for a moment, before the events of the previous night come flooding back. Cortney fainting, the strange encounter with Alexander, the uneasy feeling that still lingers in his gut. He sits up, rubbing his eyes. Alexander's bed is empty, the sheets neatly made. Bryce checks his phone—no messages from Cortney. He types out a quick text: "Hey, how are you feeling this morning?" A few minutes pass with no reply. Bryce swings his legs out of bed, deciding to check on her in person. He pulls on a hoodie and heads down the hall to Cortney's dorm. He knocks softly. The door opens a crack, and Tara's face appears. She looks tired but satisfied, her hair slightly mussed. "Oh, hey Bryce. Cortney's still asleep." "Is she okay? After last night, I mean," Bryce asks, concern evident in his voice. Tara shrugs, a small smile playing on her lips. "She's fine. We had a long night, but she's resting now. I'll tell her you stopped by." Bryce nods, but something feels off. He peers past Tara, catching a glimpse of Cortney's sleeping form under the covers. She looks peaceful, but he can't shake the feeling that something is wrong. "Thanks, Tara. Let me know if she needs anything." As Bryce turns to leave, he nearly collides with Alexander, who is coming down the hall with a cup of coffee in hand. "Ah, Bryce. Good morning," Alexander says, his voice smooth as silk. "I trust you slept well?" Bryce stiffens. "Yeah, fine. You're up early." "Couldn't sleep. Went for a walk." Alexander's eyes flicker past Bryce to Cortney's door, a knowing glint in them. "I hope Cortney is recovering. She seemed... unwell last night." "She's fine," Bryce says curtly. Alexander smiles, a cold, predatory expression that doesn't reach his eyes. "Good. We wouldn't want anything to happen to her, would we?" Bryce's unease deepens. He watches Alexander walk past him, heading toward their shared dorm. Something is very wrong, and Bryce is determined to find out what.

Bryce decides not to confront Alexander directly. Instead, he ducks into the stairwell, watching the hallway through the small window. He waits, his heart pounding. A few minutes later, Tara steps out of Cortney's room, closing the door quietly behind her. She looks around, then walks toward the common area. Alexander emerges from their dorm, intercepting Tara in the middle of the hallway. They exchange words, voices too low for Bryce to hear. Then, without warning, Alexander pulls Tara into a kiss. Tara doesn't resist. She leans into him, her hands coming up to cup his face. Bryce watches, frozen, his mind racing. What is going on between them? And what does it have to do with Cortney? The kiss lingers, intimate and possessive. When they finally break apart, Alexander whispers something in Tara's ear. She nods, then retreats back into Cortney's room, closing the door. Alexander straightens his shirt, a satisfied smirk on his face, before heading down the hall toward the stairs. Bryce presses himself against the wall, heart hammering, as Alexander passes without noticing him. Something is very wrong. Bryce knows he has to find out what Alexander is planning—and why Tara seems to be in on it.

Bryce's mind races as Alexander disappears down the stairs. He waits a few seconds, then slips out of the stairwell and hurries back to Cortney's door. He doesn't knock this time. He tries the handle. It's unlocked. He pushes the door open and steps inside, closing it quietly behind him. He's back in Tara and Cortney's dorm. The room is dim, curtains drawn. Cortney is still in bed, her breathing slow and even. Tara is sitting at her desk, her back to the door. She doesn't turn around. "Tara," Bryce says, his voice low. She flinches, then slowly swivels in her chair. Her eyes are wide, guilty. "Bryce. I thought you left." "I saw you. With Alexander." Tara's face pales. She opens her mouth, but no words come out. "What's going on?" Bryce demands, stepping closer. "What did he say to you? What are you two planning?" Tara looks at Cortney's sleeping form, then back at Bryce. Her expression shifts from guilt to something harder, more defensive. "You don't understand. It's not what you think." "Then explain it to me." Tara stands up, her hands trembling. "Alexander... he has a hold on me. On Cortney too. But not in the way you think. He's not hurting us." Tara's eyes dart to Cortney again. "She doesn't remember last night, does she? She doesn't remember fainting, or what happened after. Alexander did something to her. He can do things, Bryce. Things you wouldn't believe." Bryce feels a chill run down his spine. "What kind of things?" Tara shakes her head, backing away. "I can't tell you....but I can show you..slowly...passionately " Before Bryce can press further, Cortney stirs in bed. She groans, slowly opening her eyes. "Tara? What's going on?"

Cortney sits up slowly, the blanket falling away to reveal she is completely naked. She doesn't seem to notice or care, her eyes glassy and unfocused as she looks between Tara and Bryce. "Bryce? What are you doing here?" Her voice is soft, dreamy. She stretches, arching her back without any self-consciousness. Bryce's face flushes. He looks away, then back, confused. "Cortney, are you okay? You fainted last night. And you're... you're not wearing anything." Cortney looks down at herself, then back up with a slow, vacant smile. "Oh. I me and Tara has some fun last night." She giggles.the sound hollow and disconnected. Bryce's stomach tightens. "Cortney, that doesn't sound like you. Are you sure you're okay?" Cortney tilts her head, her eyes still that unsettling glassy quality. "I've never felt better, Bryce. Really." She stretches again, completely unashamed of her nudity, then climbs out of bed and walks toward the bathroom. "I'm going to take a shower," she announces, and disappears inside. The door clicks shut. Bryce turns to Tara, his expression hard. "What did Alexander do to her?" Tara's face crumples. She sinks onto the edge of the bed, her hands covering her face. "I don't know exactly. He came to me a few weeks ago. Said he could help me with my... problems. My anxiety, my insomnia. He ...well i dont remember, I felt... amazing. Like nothing could touch me. But then he started asking for things. Favors. And I couldn't say no. It was like my body would do what he said before my mind could even process it." Bryce moves closer, his voice gentler now. "What kind of favors?" Tara looks up. "He wanted Cortney. Wanted me to bring her to him. He said she was special. That her bloodline was important. I didn't understand, but I couldn't refuse. Last night, he was supposed to meet her. To enlighten her. But you showed up, and she fainted before he could." "Fainted? Or did he make her faint?" Tara shakes her head. "I don't know. I don't know anything anymore. I just know that when I'm around him, I can't think straight. And when he touches me..." She shudders, but not from fear. From something else. Bryce's jaw clenches. "We need to get Cortney out of here. Away from him." "No," Tara whispers. The bathroom door opens, steam billowing out. Cortney emerges wrapped in a towel, her hair dripping. She looks more alert now, color returning to her cheeks. She blinks, looking between them. "What's going on? Why do you both look so serious?" Bryce steps toward her. "Cortney, do you remember last night?" She frowns, touching her temple. "I remember meeting Alexander. Feeling dizzy. And then... nothing. Until me and Tara had sex" Tara looks away, shame coloring her cheeks.