The Campus Killings {#LGBTQ #HORROR #FRIGHT}

Chapter Eight

When the group finally arrived back at the college at almost eleven o'clock, Jake was still high off the endorphins and energy running through his veins, laughing as they all engaged in delightfully stupid conversation.

It reminded him of what Willa had said — they were young, they were rich and they were free and though he had typically felt ambivalent to his own inherited wealth, the youth and freedom spurring through his veins was enough to drive him.

All his troubles had been forgotten as he and Raleigh laughed together, their strange connection buzzing between them incandescently as their friends chatted and giggled behind them.

"Jake, you should've definitely gone into music studies." Brody commented, his hand fisted into a bag of Wotsits.

Jake shrugged, though didn't lose the smile on his face, "I went with the easier option."

Raleigh swerved the car, going down the back road, though noticed the back gate was shut as he approached it.

"What's the plan?" Jake asked.

Raleigh stopped the car, replying, "Sneak in and hope nobody tries to nick my car overnight." he unplugged his seatbelt, "Come on, I have a way in."

Everyone unbuckled themselves and clambered out of the car, which Raleigh locked as they walked up to the gate — before they could reach it, however, they took a turn, heading off to where a thick bush of greenery was situated in front of the gate.

Raleigh pulled back the bush, revealing a small, but wide enough to fit hole in the metal and he gave a small flick of the wrist, "Ladies first."

Mali huffed, rolling her eyes before squeezing through, followed by Manuela, who whined about the bits of metal poking her, Willa, who almost slipped and Eilidh, who passed through it silently and without incident.

Amrit went next, reuniting with his girlfriend on the other side before Brody went through, catching his shirt on the metal briefly and cursing.

That left Jake and Raleigh, who signalled toward him, "You go first."

"I—" Jake felt the nervousness creep in, but it was still outweighed by the euphoria he had been feeling, "Okay."

For once, he was pretty glad he was so lean as he managed to slip through without incident, though could hear Raleigh verbally struggle as his broad body had a more difficult time.   To aid him, Jake grabbed his hand, pulling him through and jutting him just close enough that their faces were in breathing distance.

Jake swallowed thickly, eyes dancing over Raleigh's face.

Kiss him, kiss him, kiss him, the less logical side of himself called.

Their hands still linked, they looked at each other with a heated intensity, broken up when Willa cleared her throat, "Manny and I are headed back to our dorms, we're doing a rehearsal in the morning.  You coming, Jake?"

"Well, it depends." Jake released Raleigh's hands, "Is everyone else—"

Eilidh cut him off, "I was going to go to the chapel and get high, you're all welcome to come."

"Is that a good idea?" Brody asked his sister, a little concerned, "It's a little late."

She rolled her eyes, "Back off my case, it's weed, not crack.  You don't need to be a buzzkill."

"Okay, Jesus." Brody held up a hand in self defence, "But I'm coming with."

Eilidh rolled her eyes, "Thanks, mom."

Mali spoke up, "I guess I could use something to relax." she looked at her boyfriend, "Baby?"

"I should go home and study." he replied, "Got a business studies test coming up this week." he made a face after that, then kissed his girlfriend softly, "I'll see you tomorrow, though."