WWE University NXT Gen: Semester 4: Graduation Season

At Death's Door (Halloween Update)

The crisp fall air descends onto the WWE University campus. Plastic skeleton parts litter the shrubbery. Pumpkins line the pathways, every few orange gourds transformed into Jack-o-lanterns. Quandria walks throughout campus. Exhaustion having overcome her. After giving birth to Andrea, she can't help but feel spent and aloof. A hand clutches her shoulder.

"Holy fucking shit!" She exclaims. She turns to meet the blue gaze of Adam Cole. "Adam, you can't sneak up on a new mother, she will kick the shit out of you." She advises. Adam raises his hands defensively.

"Apologies. I just... was hoping to find Brielle." Adam explains. Quandria let's out a sigh.

"Well, it is Halloween, I suppose everyone is entitled to one good scare." Quandria notes. "And to answer your question... she is at Andi's. Her classes ended early and she is catching the Horror Movie marathon." She explains. Adam nods. As Adam leaves, Quandria shakes her head as a wave of nausea and pain overwhelms her. Something was not right. And yet, she cannot put her finger on it. She rushes in the direction of the library. Something about campus is making her feel uneasy.

As she shuts the door behind her, the building closes with a THUD! Quandria jumps and looks around her in embarrassment. "Girl... get your shit together. Get your shit—."

"Are you talking to yourself?"

Quandria turns and sees Emily Ross standing there.

"Professor Ross... I... I wasn't expecting to see you here." Quandria admits. Emily chuckles.

"Why not? I'm here so often, I swear sometimes they might as well lay me to rest here." Quandria takes a step back. Didn't... didn't she.... "What's wrong dear?" Emily questions. Quandria shakes her head.

"No... something is wrong.... I know it. I feel like...." Quandria trails off, finding herself unable, or perhaps unwilling to complete her thoughts.

"Well, I am hosting a scary stories reading here in the library for Halloween. Would you like to join me?" Emily offers. Quandria chuckles as she shrugs.

"I feel so uneasy. I'm not sure that getting scared is the best choice for me." She jokes. Emily smiles, motioning to a large plastic cauldron tucked under her arm, filled to the brim with candy.

"Perhaps not, but can you please grab the pumpkin bowl filled with candy. That's the non peanut bowl." Emily questions. Quandria chuckles.

"Sure thing Ms. Ross. You know, I've missed you." She finds herself compelled to note. Emily places her hand over her heart.

"So sweet dear. But you know I am here all the time, and you saw me recently when you brought in that beautiful baby of yours." Emily reminds. The younger woman smiles.

"Of course. I remember now." In explicably, this felt so long ago for the young mother. Grabbing the bowl, the pair make it to the center of the library. The atmosphere is set, filled with candles and haunting figurines. "I never knew you were so into Halloween Ms. Ross." Quandria notes.

"Oh yes Dear! It's my favorite. I love the honesty."

"The honesty?"

"Yes, the honesty Hun. You see, on Valentine's Day, people pretend to shower their significant other with gifts when they shouldn't need the occasion. On Thanksgiving they pretend to be grateful when they should be every day and it is an excuse to stuff their faces with food. On Christmas they act as though they aren't in it for the presents when you know damn well they are. On Halloween, the one day where people dress up and pretend to be something they're not, they are at their most honest. They are open with their greed and their gluttony. They embrace their love for pretend and dress up. They are honest about they're joy of the depraved and the horrific. Forgive my spiel, just wanted to help you see... the honesty." Emily explains.