Free Falling

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Screams were echoing down the corridor. Blood-curdling screams that sent shivers down Rebekah Lee's back.

She pulled the covers up over her head and burrowed further under her blankets, trying to drown the noise out. This wasn't the way she had expected her second week at university to be going. To be honest, she hadn't had the faintest idea what it would be like, but this... this had caught her by surprise.

And then, all of a sudden, the screams stopped and silence filled the vacuum. Rebekah waited for several minutes before slowly emerging from her cacoon of warmth and protection. The room she shared with another girl was dimly illuminated by the light of a crescent moon, creeping through the gaps in the blinds. It wasn't the best lighting, but it was bright enough for Rebekah to tiptoe to the room door unscathed.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you," a sleepy voice mumbled. Rebekah squeaked in surprise and immediately attempted to dive back into bed- except that her aim wasn't great, especially when visibility was below normal levels. What started off as a graceful leap soon deteriorated as her foot caught the edge of her dresser and pain ricocheted up her leg. In the blink of an eye, she was in a heap on the floor, face flat on the carpet and groaning as her stubbed toe throbbed with pain.

"Rebekah? Are you okay?" Her roommate had her beside lamp on in an instant and was looking over at her blearily. "Wait, fuck. I'm blind as a bat without my glasses. Give me a sec." A moment later, her roommate had shoved her glasses onto her face and looked more alert than before.

"I'm fine, Elise. Thanks for asking." Rebekah's face was turning beet red. "To be honest, I think my ego is more bruised than any other part of me."

Elise laughed and ran a hand through her messy blonde hair. "It's okay. We all have moments like these."

Rebekah grunted as she slowly clambered back onto her bed and pulled the covers up to her chest, trying to hide her obvious embarrassment.

"You know that no one's getting hurt, right?"

"Hurt?"

"That screaming that was keeping us awake- it's not screams of fright. Well," Elise shrugged. "I mean, they kind of are, but they're not real."

Now Rebekah was thoroughly confused. "I don't understand."

"Sometimes, students put on video games and movies really loud to drown out the sounds that they're making," Elise explained patiently. She had an expectant look on her face, but Rebekah was drawing a blank. What sounds could the other students be making at this time of the night that were so loud that they needed something else to drown them out? Surely they couldn't be baking. Maybe they were exercising?

"Please don't make me spell it out for you." Elise was beaming from ear to ear, attempting to control her laughter.

And then it clicked.

"Fuck me." Rebekah's eyes widened. She didn't know if her face could turn any redder but judging from how hot her cheeks felt, she must've been blushing something fierce. The sound of Elise's tinkling laughter rang in her ears as she attempted to salvage what was left of her shredded dignity.

"Mix alcohol and bad decisions and things can get pretty loud around here," Elise explained. "That's what my brother told me anyway. It must be pretty bad for him, especially with his enhanced hearing and stuff."

"Enhanced hearing?"

"Seb'll love corrupting you." Elise ignored Rebekah's question. She took off her glasses and burrowed back under her own blankets before turning her head so that she was looking at Rebekah. "Just a heads up-we look nothing alike. We don't think alike either. Just because we're twins doesn't mean we have some sort of twin telepathy."

"Oh. Does he come to this university too?"

"Yup. He lives in the next block."

"What's it like, having a twin?" Rebekah leaned forward, eager to steer the conversation towards something more conventional.

"Pretty cool, I guess." Elise yawned. "I'll introduce the two of you tomorrow. I'm just way too tired to keep talking right now." Her arm snuck out from the blankets and flicked the lamp switch off, throwing the room back into darkness.

"Goodnight," Rebekah murmured.

"Nights Beck," a muffled voice replied. "Don't let those mental images ruin your sleep."

Rebekah stifled a laugh and curled up into a ball. As sleep enveloped her and pulled her into its arms, she felt a distinct sense of loneliness. But, just as every other sensation, it faded away as she let herself fall into a deep, dreamless sleep.

A/N Hello fellow Wattpadians!

I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! I had a lot of fun writing it. I know it's a little slow at the moment, but it will pick up soon enough! 

So, I recently had a question from someone who wanted to know if I was going to enter any of my stories into the Wattys. I replied that I wasn't sure. So I'm throwing it out to you guys: do you think I should enter this story into the Wattys? I would love to hear your opinions!

Love,

Percy