The moon hung high in the sky, casting a silver glow over the deserted streets as Janet continued her frantic escape from the club. Her heart was still pounding, and every shadow seemed to whisper Vanessa's threats. Despite the adrenaline coursing through her veins, her legs ached from the long run. She knew she couldn't keep this up forever, but the thought of going home filled her with dread. Her parents couldn't find out—at least, not yet.
Eventually, Janet found herself in front of Lily's house. The porch light was on, a beacon of safety in the oppressive darkness. Her hand trembled as she knocked on the door, praying Lily would answer.
Moments later, the door opened, revealing Lily's concerned face. "Janet!" she exclaimed, pulling her friend inside. "What happened? You look awful."
Janet collapsed onto the couch, her breath coming in ragged gasps. "It's Vanessa," she managed to say. "She threatened me, and they tried to… they tried to take me to a club."
Lily's eyes widened in horror. "Oh, Janet. I'm so sorry. What can I do?"
"I don't know," Janet replied, tears spilling down her cheeks. "I don't want to go home. My parents… they can't know."
Lily sat beside her, wrapping an arm around Janet's shoulders. "You can stay here as long as you need. We'll figure this out together."
That night, Janet tossed and turned, her dreams plagued by Vanessa's menacing smile and the chaos of the club. When she finally awoke, the sun was already streaming through the curtains. Her body ached, and the weight of her situation pressed heavily on her chest.
Lily entered the room with two cups of steaming coffee. "I thought you could use this," she said with a small smile.
"Thanks," Janet replied, taking the cup gratefully. "I don't know what I'd do without you."
Lily sat down, her expression serious. "Janet, you have to tell your parents. This is bigger than just you now. If Vanessa is threatening you, she could be dangerous."
Janet sighed, the prospect of coming clean daunting. But Lily was right. She couldn't hide forever, and the fear of Vanessa's retaliation was too great to bear alone. She needed help.
Later that day, after much encouragement from Lily, Janet returned home. Her heart raced as she entered the house, unsure of how her parents would react.
Mrs. Thompson was in the kitchen, preparing dinner. When she saw Janet, she frowned. "Where have you been? I've been worried sick!"
Janet swallowed hard, her voice trembling. "Mom, I need to tell you something. It's about Vanessa and… and what happened last night."
Her mother's expression shifted from worry to alarm. "What happened, Janet?"
Taking a deep breath, Janet recounted the events of the past few weeks—the party, Vanessa's threats, the club. Her mother listened in stunned silence, her face growing paler with each detail.
When Janet finished, tears were streaming down her mother's face. "Oh, Janet," she whispered, pulling her daughter into a tight embrace. "I had no idea. I'm so sorry."
"I didn't want you to worry," Janet said, her voice muffled against her mother's shoulder. "I thought I could handle it."
Mrs. Thompson pulled back, her eyes filled with determination. "We're going to the police. This Vanessa girl needs to be stopped."
The thought of involving the police filled Janet with a new kind of fear, but she knew it was the right thing to do. With her mother by her side, she finally felt a glimmer of hope.