Chapter 3 Don't Get Involved

**** Lucinda storms into the lecture hall she had just been directed to. She glances around, resting her gaze on the person she had come in search of.

He was seated on a desk at the farthest end of the hall, laughing at something his companion had said. They were five in number, of which four were guys and the last, a lady, who was standing near him, resting her chin on his shoulder blade. She fumed the more when she saw him laughing. Clutching her purse tightly at her sides, she proceeds towards them. "Sorry to interrupt, but we need to talk," she says sternly, facing him. He stares at her, groaning.

She was the same girl he had mistaken for Mandy. "I'm busy, as you can see. When I'm ready, I'll send for you," he turns away and resumes talking to his friends as if she were invisible. She frowns more.

Such insolence! "Sorry to burst your bubble, mister, but I'm not one of your loyal dogs that you can dismiss and send for any time to damn well please. Trust me, it will be in your best interest to comply," "Don't test my patience, girl!! Out of my sight!! Else.."

"Else what? You'll r*pe me? Hit me? What will you fucking do, huh?!!!" She steps closer, poking him in the chest with her finger.

Gasps and murmurs fill the room as the students present, glance in their direction. The murmurs were not because of their banter but because, for the first time, someone, a girl, had dared talk back at Tyler in such a disrespectful manner. Tyler frowns, noticing the numerous pair of eyes watching them. "You will regret this, girl, I swear. You don't know who you're messing with. You're playing with fire, and you know damn well know what fire can do," he growls through gritted teeth, trying his best to compose himself.

She rolls her eyes "Cut me some slack, mister!!! Your threats mean nothing to me. People may fear you around here but guess what? You're like a dog that barks all day but doesn't know how to bite. I don't have all day. So either you come with me, or I talk here, in front of everyone. You choose," And she turns on her heels and walks out the hall, hoping he follows her, else, he will be so dead.

Tyler clenches his jaw tightly as he watches her walk out.

**** He steps out to find her standing under a shade. He walks closer. "What the hell did...." "Spare me, mister!!! I just came here to warn you," she cuts him off, annoying him the more. Lucinda opens her purse and brings out a transparent bag he recognized so well. "Remember this, Tyler?" She asks, waving the bag in front of him.

****** EARLIER...

Mandy steps into the room she shared with Lucinda. She sinks into the bed, staring at the drugs Tyler had just given her with shaky hands. How was she supposed to sell cocaine to her fellow students? What if she got caught? She was definitely going to jail. And if she refuses Tyler's request, then her life wouldn't be any better than a prisoner on campus.

Many were such thoughts racing through her mind. She sniffs, a single tear escaping her eyes and falling on her hand. She regretted ever having an encounter with him. She was in this mess just because of one stupid crush she had on Tyler when she first set eyes on him three years ago when she first enrolled at Radford University. But now, here she was, completely wrapped around his fingers like a rubber band, unable to get away. Tyler literally controlled her life now. Even when school was on vacation, and she was at home, far away, he still managed to get her to do his dirty work for him. She sniffs again, unaware of Lucinda's presence.

"Are those drugs?" Lucinda questioned, startling Mandy. She jumped up, shoving the bag behind her in frantic. "Lu...Lucinda. I.... it... Powder. It's talcum powder. Yes," she stammers, avoiding eye contact. "Really? Let me apply some then. It's been so long since I last used it," Lucinda answers reaching forward to take the bag, but Mandy jumps back. "I'm aware this isn't talcum powder. I know it's drugs. Why are they in your possession?" Silence. "Mandy??" Silence.

Lucinda sighs and steps away, grabbing her purse. "Fine. Goodbye Mandy. Later," she says nonchalantly, turning. "Where....are you going?" Mandy speaks up with a voice laced with fear. Silence. "Luci, please!"

Lucinda keeps walking towards the door. "Tyler forced me to sell them!!!" She blurts out in frustration, making Lucinda stop in her tracks. She turns. "What? Who?" "The guy who was here this morning...." "The Lucifer guy? And why the hell would you accept to do something as stupid as this, Mandy?!"

"Because I have no other choice, Luci!!!! It's the only way he would forgive you for talking back at him like that." "Then he should be settling scores with me, don't you think?" "You don't know him like I do, Luci. You don't want to get involved," Lucinda walks over to her and snatches the drug from her.

She turns away. "Well, then I'm getting involved. He has no right to make you sell drugs. He's a self-conceited brute, and I'm going to put him in his place for daring to make you do such a thing!" "No, Luci, please!!! He's dangerous. Don't get involved. Come back!!! Lucinda!!!" Mandy cried out, but her friend was already out the door, making her way toward campus.

***** PRESENTLY...

"Remember?" Lucinda repeated, waving the bag. "Listen, I..."

"No, you listen, Lucifer or Tyler or whatever. Who the hell do you think you are to make my friend sell drugs, huh? You're nothing but a self-conceited, arrogant, stupid brute. You're Disgusting!!! If you so much as come an inch closer to Mandy ever again, I will cut off your balls, shove them up in your stupid ass, strip you naked and tell the whole world the disgusting human that you are. You're scum to the earth. Thank your heavens that I'm not reporting this to the chancellor, but the next time, I won't hesitate. If you want someone with whom you can do your illegal drug business, then go for your mama or papa!!! Stay away from Mandy, you dimwit!!!" She spat, threw the drug into his face and walked away before he could utter another word.

"Fuck!!! I'm going to kill her and rip her apart. I'm going to feed her flesh to the vultures, I swear!!!" Tyler angrily punches the tree he stood under, drawing blood from his knuckles. "Did you say something, Lucifer?" Tyler lifts his head to find Lucinda staring up at him with defiance. Oh, how she makes his blood boil. And it had been less than 24 hours since they crossed paths. He frowns.

Unable to contain his anger, he reaches forward to grab her neck. "You bitch! I'm going to...." He trails off when a resounding slap lands on his face. Shocked to the bones, he lifts his face to say something, only for her to slap him hard again. Whaam!!! "Don't you ever try to touch me again, and as for what you said, I'm just going to see how you're going to feed my flesh to the vultures." Lucinda snaps and walks away, ignoring the stares she was getting from other students who had seen her slapping Tyler twice. So much for her first day on campus, huh?

"I can't believe Tyler let her go after slapping him like that. Unbelievable!" she hears a girl say to her companion. She chuckles and continues walking, smiling, satisfied that she had put him in his place.