University of Exorcists

Chapter 9: Everything's Alright

Riku took deep breaths, trying to calm himself down. "It's fine. It's fine. Everything's alright." He told himself, even though it was a lie. Riku looked at the clock. 1:00. He kicked off the sheets and put on his blood stained sweatshirt. He walked down the hall and into a room with a giant tree, covered in all sorts of things, and presents wrapped in pretty bows underneath. He sat down and ran his fingers through his hair. He closed his eyes and took another deep breath. He bent over, trying to clear his mind. "It was just a vision... It could be years from now..." He told himself. "Maybe even a century..."
"What's wrong?" Craig asked. "It's 1:00."
"Sorry. Did I wake you?" Riku asked.
"No." Craig responded. "Did you have a vision?" Riku nodded. "I think I got the same one. Sorry..."
"It's fine. Everything's fine." Riku said, smiling at Craig. "I've been expecting it for a while."
"It might be centuries." Craig said.
"But you got it, so it has to be within the next 70 years. It's fine, plus, it's probably several decades sooner because humans can't read to far into the future. I'm guessing I have a month... Maybe two if I'm lucky."
"But... That's impossible." Craig protested. "You have much longer."
"Did you see the moon?" Riku asked.
"Yeah. It was full. So what?" Craig responded.
"It's currently the half moon." Riku said. Craig went silent.
"We should probably go back to sleep..." Craig mumbled after a while.
"You can. I still need to think." Riku answered.
"Sorry." Craig said, leaving the room.

• • •

"Merry Christmas!" Jenny yelled several hours later. Riku still hadn't fallen asleep, but he did move back to his bed, staring at the ceiling. He got up and changed into a clean shirt. He noticed that there was a dark purple spot on his hand. "Great." He mumbled sarcastically. "Just what I needed." Riku walked down the hall and was greeted by the smell of sugar, meat, eggs, hash browns, pancakes, waffles, and cinnamon rolls.

"Dude. Your hand." Riku turned around to see Craig. "I'm so sorry..."

"It's not your fault." Riku answered. "Its no big deal."

"No big deal?" Craig asked. "You are dying. Why are you so calm?"

"I've been expecting it." Riku said.

"For how long?" Craig asked.

"A long time." He answered, turning back around.

"Anything I can do to help?" Craig asked.

"When everything goes down, I want you to evacuate everyone in the campus." Riku answered..

"Why so many people?" Craig asked. Riku sighed, and didn't answer. Craig stepped next to him. "You gonna be okay?"
"Of course." Riku said. "It would be better if I die and save thousands of people anyway."
"You would save way more than a couple thousand." Craig mumbled.
"I hope so." Riku said, walking towards the smell.

• • •

Jenny was unwrapping toys. Craig and Kevin got socks. They got lots of candies that were put in a sock hanging from the wall. Riku couldn't get the vision out of his head. It just kept repeating over and over again.
"What's wrong? You seem distant." Kevin said.
"Nothing." Riku lied. Kevin knew he was lying, but didn't pester him with questions. Riku didn't eat breakfast, and tried his best to hide his hand. Most of the house was happy and lively. Jenny was playing with her new toys, and Kevin and Craig were playing with their familiars. Riku tried his best to think of something else. Suddenly, he stood up and walked into the guest bedroom. He pulled out a phone and dialed one number.
"Alpha 6-6-6." Riku said.
"Good to hear from you. How's the mission going?" A voice asked.
"It could be better." Riku said. "A date has been confirmed. System failure. It will be done within two days; maybe sooner."
"Okay. So you know who the demon is?" The voice asked.
"Yeah. I'm expecting failure, but I can guarantee I can make him weak enough for the marine Corp to take him out."
"Him?" The voice asked.
"Yeah. My own flesh and blood." There was a silence.
"Good luck." The voice said after a while. Riku hung up. Riku turned around to see Craig standing in the doorway.
"I'll miss you. You were the first friend I've ever had." He said.
"I'll miss you too." Riku responded, looking at his hand. The purple spots had spread to his upper arm.
"Horrible day to find out, huh?" Craig said, trying to lighten the mood.
"At least it's not a demon holiday." Riku said. "Are you sure you can evacuate the university?"
"It's the least I can do." Craig answered.
"Thanks." Riku sighed.