The Manuscript

Chapter 1

'Oh my. That is one fine male specimen'.

I turn around and shoot an irritated glare at the person behind me. How the heck can a person be so...so...I don't even have a word to describe them!

I'm currently sitting in a lecture hall, trying my utmost best to hear what the video game design lecturer is saying.

'...require the player to manage specific resources in a practical and tactical way in order to reach the ultimate goal or objective while...', he continues, totally oblivious to the fact that most of his audience isn't listening to him AT ALL.

Unfortunately, those of us who are trying to listen to what he's saying are having a bit of a problem because he happens to be young and good looking. His looks are earning him lots of female -and some male- attention. And his flock of admirers are making inappropriate sounds.

'Oh my gosh, he's so cute!'

Another idiot whispers (quite loudly). I sigh and roll my eyes before gently rubbing my temples.

This next fifteen minutes will feel like a flipping hour. I try to cease my mental ranting because by complaining in my head I can't hear what Mr. Lecturer is saying.

I'm awful when it comes to multitasking, therefore complaining in my head while trying to listen to Mr. aforementioned isn't working out that well for me.

I pull out my phone and check the time.  10:29, it reads. Hmm, one minute left. I start packing my books and pens away. I need to get out of this theatre and away from these eyelash-batting freaks.

10:30. I immediately jump up, as do the rest of the ug's, and make my way to the front.

I notice that as I get up nobody else is doing the same. In fact the unusual silence is what causes me to stop midway down the isle and to look around.

Did I imagine everyone else also jumping up?Well, that's strange. Nobody else got up and I'm pretty sure that the lecture has come to an end. So then why...?

Before I can ponder further, Mr. Lecturer looks at me and says ' Is everything ok Miss Evans? You seem to be in a great hurry. Besides, I haven't given anyone permission to leave as my lecture isn't over yet'.

I'm at a loss for words and can feel myself almost drowning in embarrassment. Though, my embarrassment isn't what's bothering me...how did he know my name?

He continues.

'Perhaps you'd like to come down here and complete the lecture for me. Considering you'll run out before I'm finished must mean that you know more than me. Right?'

He puts his pen-light down on the table next to him and crosses his arms behind his back, waiting.

I gulp and make my way down. I get a strange sense of foreboding as I get closer to the front. It feels like a dark kind of aura. Is that coming from him?

My whole body breaks out in goosebumps as I move towards his desk. His stance reminds me of a lion waiting in the bushes to pounce on its prey.

He smiles, or rather sneers at me when I get to his desk. There's something very much wrong with this man.

'You may continue', he says and gestures to the students in front of us. 'Lead and conclude my lecture'. He goes back to desk and sits on it.