SOTUS: The University Days (and Other Universes)

Cold Hands

It started out unbothersome. It only occurred as small sounds in the night, rattling keys, closing drawers, and switching of lights.

Arthit ignored the presence of the ghost in his apartment at first.

The "incidents" were unexplainable but only slightly inconvenienced him.

However, it slowly turned worse as time progressed. As he lies in his bed wide awake at 3:30 in the morning for the fourth time this week, he starts to realize that it isn't just going to go away.

It sounds as if someone is tearing down his living room. This isn't the first time it has happened, and usually, it stops after an hour or so. But not tonight.

Tonight is different.

Arthit throws his blanket off himself and thinks of his next move. His P'Earth, suggested to call a shaman, but he told her that wasn't necessary. Why he told her that? He didn't know, but he is starting to regret that decision now.

He gets on his feet and leaves his bedroom to face whatever is tearing his living room.

When he comes downstairs, nothing seems to have been moved. A quick glance into the kitchen confirms that everything is in place. He steps in and grabs a clove of garlic. Does garlic work with poltergeists? Who knows? It's almost 4 in the morning. He can't be blamed if he mistakes a poltergeist with another type of monster.

One thing he's sure of, though.

This is going to end tonight.

So he slowly makes his way into the middle of the living room, holding tight onto the clove of garlic.

"Listen, whoever or whatever you are. I have been very generous about keeping you here. I understand that the afterlife may get boring."

A low chuckle comes from behind the couch.

Arthit quickly turns to it just to be met with nothing. Absolutely nothing. It's the first time that the thing made a human noise, and he doesn't know if that should comfort him or warn him.

After his heartbeat had slowed a bit, he continues.

"B-but, I have a presentation tomorrow, and I would like it if I would be well rested for it." His heart starts beating fast again. "So if you can keep the noise to a minimum, that would be greatly appreciated."

The hairs on his neck stand up straight. Something has changed.

A quick glance around the room tells him that nothing moved. No sound can be heard.

Still, he feels uncomfortable.

He stiffens his back, hoping it would give him some strength to finish his message. "If you fail to do so, I will contact a shaman or whomever and have you sent back to wherever you came from!"

Something has changed again. It is almost too quiet and peaceful. The room was already silent, but still, for some unexplainable reason, it even became more silent. He doesn't trust this.

He absolutely doesn't like this.

"You know I didn't think you had it in you, but I stand tremendously corrected." A voice comes from behind Arthit. When he turns around, he comes face to face with the thing that has been pestering him for the past months.