The Campus Killings {#LGBTQ #HORROR #FRIGHT}

Chapter Thirty Two

"You should try to eat something." Jake quietly murmured, though quickly realised how ridiculous the suggestion was — how could anyone have an appetite after seeing such a thing?

After finding Brody's body, they had all retreated back to the dorm room, carrying the unconscious guard who remained so as he rested on Jake's bed.

Raleigh's gaze was unfocused, his dark eyes shining with tears as he distantly heard his boyfriend talking, washing his best friend's blood from his hands with a tea towel.

Jake exchanged a small, helpless look with the equally traumatised Willa, who was still clutching her injured arm to her chest.

He disappeared to the kitchen to pour a glass of water, only realising then how hard his hands were trembling by the way the liquid sloshed around.

He slammed the glass down onto the table top with a clutter, his breath coming in a shuddering gasp as he attempted to steel himself.

Raleigh needs you, he thought to himself, picking the glass once again and attempting to will his hand straight.

He walked back through, kneeling before Raleigh and bringing the glass to his dry lips, giving him a small nod of encouragement before tipping it. Droplets of water ran down his chin and it seemed to awaken him from his daze.

Jake jumped as he felt Raleigh's hand lightly grab his wrist, pulling the glass away from his mouth.

Their eyes met, a wordless exchange held between their gazes as Jake set the glass down on the table then pressed their foreheads together — it was a painful, quiet moment and Jake soon found himself enveloped in Raleigh's arms.

Raleigh's face buried in the crook of his neck and Jake felt hot, wet tears dropping onto his shoulder, the other man trying to be mindful of his wound but also gripping at him with desperation as if he was afraid he'd slip through his fingers if he didn't.

All Jake could do was hold him, try to provide some comfort because he knew he couldn't fix it, as much as he'd have liked. At the top of the bed and crouched in the corner, he heard Willa sniffle, rubbing at the blood that remained spotted and speckled under her sleeve.

Jake reached out to grab her hand, squeezing it softly and offering her a gentle, yet uneasy smile.

Behind him, there was a loud, sharp gasp as Officer Angus suddenly shot up, forcing the trio to split apart in alarm, Raleigh wiping his eyes.

He was still clearly discombobulated, his gaze darting around the room dizzyingly as he demanded, "Where the fuck—"

"Keep your voice down!" Jake pleaded.

Angus rubbed his head, "What the fuck happened? Why is my vision all blurry?"

"I accidentally knocked you out." Raleigh stated flatly, "There's been another two murders."

Angus looked up, confused, "Wait, when?"

"Not long after the blackout." Willa explained, "Brody and I were looking for someone and we were attacked." her eyes filled with tears, "It happened so quickly but— it was Petrović."

The officer looked confused, "Who? Sorry, my head is just... I think you might've concussed me."

"Sorry." Raleigh winced.

Jake replied, "He's my tutor. He had an affair with Laura, the first victim."

"And with me." Willa added, ducking her head in shame.

Angus looked at the way she cradled her arm to her chest, "Are you hurt?"

"I'm fine." she bit her lower lip painfully, "But I need to get out of here."