Demons Have Feelings Too

Chapter 1: Normal College Things

    

     My alarm went off, waking me up and signaling another school day. I hit the snooze button and effectively knocked the digital clock off of my nightstand with a thud. Uhhhhhhd. I could already feel dread and fatigue set in.

    I zombie walked across the room, stumbling over some piles of clothes, and went to my mirror that leaned on the brick, dorm room wall. I could already see that I looked groggy with messy, long, dark blue hair to match. Tired, yet bright and green eyes looked back at me as I brushed my hair out. I managed to tame it all and look acceptable for eight in the morning. I finally threw on whatever clothes I grabbed first, not paying too much mind to what I grabbed.

         Stopping to study myself in the mirror for a moment, I looked at the soft and fair features of my face. My cheeks were naturally a little pink, especially with the slight chill in the weather. I kind of still had a, rather accurate, “just rolled out of bed” look. The rest of my routine, I finished up in the dorm communal bathroom.

     It was a usual, boring Monday as I walked out of the dorm hall and headed for class. The campus here was rather beautiful and it was a sight I was still getting used to. The leaves had begun changing colors for the season, beautifully outlining the trees and littering the ground with pops of color. The chill air bit at my skin, even through my green, worn hoodie and dark jeans.

I made my way through the large, open courtyard. More trees came bursting to view as I walked through an archway leading from the dorms. Cement paths winded through, connecting various old, brick buildings. An even more ancient looking fountain sat in the center of it all, covered in cracks and moss growth. 

     Other students filled the courtyard, doing whatever: walking, sitting in groups, or reading under a nice tree. I felt some contentment in being here. But as I continued to walk along, some guy with spiky, shaggy, red hair ran past and bumped into me. I noticed his impish appearance and figured he was just some lost freshman. Or an escaped anime character, based on his hairstyle.

    "Sorry!" he shouted back to me with an awkward, apologetic smile and continued off. He was a complete flash of red with his hair and hoodie sharing similar colors. 

            I shrugged it off until some other guy in a biker jacket ran past and knocked me onto my ass. His hair a short, blonde mess  and a “I couldn't care less” look holding his features. His jaw was squared off with a scar running from his right cheek down to the jawline. This guy was less nice, not even acknowledging me. 

    Rude. Before I even got up, someone else towered over me. It is too early for this.

  "Sorry about them. Are you okay?" I looked up, about to go off on whoever was speaking to me. I could see now who stood over me: a woman with long, black hair that was greatly contrasted against her fair skin and piercing red eyes. Maybe I hit my head on the way down. There was no way her irises were blood red.

     She held a strong, sharp jawline but soft looking features. She dressed in black jeans, a red band t-shirt, and a black and gray flannel with the sleeves rolled up.

    "Wow..." I was gawking. Shit, I was gawking!  "Uh, I mean… yeah! I'm okay!" My voice came to a higher pitch than normal, even the tiredness from it had seeped away to this new energy.

    She offered her somewhat scarred and calloused hand to me. She helped me onto my feet and I noticed the solid black sword tattoo on her right forearm as she reached for me. It was surrounded by what looked like dark shadows emanating from the sword itself. The sword looked battle-worn but sharp as ever. She gave a gentle, but quick, tug to pull me back to my feet.