The Campus Demon {Nanowrimo 2020}

Chapter 10

A thin coat of lightening blanketed the dark sky followed by the deep rumble of thunder that caused Dami to shiver. He clutched the rusted handle of the umbrella tighter as his feet navigated through the muddy path. Earlier, he tried getting a taxi to Jessica's lodge but the amount the cab driver called made him hiss and step back, dismissing the man's menacing eyes.

He couldn't see why the fee was so outrageous. He'd stopped several others that informed him of the bad weather and heavy traffic jam as if he didn't already know. He had no choice but to take the short cut. The same route Valentina took the night she was murdered. Dami kept looking behind him, his senses heightened from fear or rather the heavy downpour of rain messing his footsteps. He stopped at an intersection, wondering if he was to take a left or a right turn. Confused, he fished his phone out from his leather jacket and dialed Jessie's number.

Tiny rain droplets from the compact umbrella fell on the lighted screen, making it a bit blurry. Dami wiped it clean on his sweaty shirt and redialed her line. It rang once, twice, but she didn't pick. Dami groaned out of frustration, trying to steady his shaky fingers to send her a quick text message. He tapped his feet impatiently as he surveyed the quiet, dimly lit area.

Not a single soul was in sight. He frowned, checking his notification to see if Jessica had texted back. His gloomy eyes lit up when he saw her reply: Omg, my network keeps fucking up everytime I try to pick up your calls. I'm sorry about that. Take a right turn and tell the driver to drive straight, not veering off any path. I'll be right over.

Dami erased the text he was typing, thinking better of telling his girlfriend that he was trekking. The sole of his shoes sunk into the marshy ground as he followed her directions. Letting the bleak street lights guide him, his steps quickened, his inherent aptitude kicking in. It wasn't up to a minute, Dami heard a loud shriek coming from somewhere behind him. He turned sharply but saw nothing. A feeling of dread sunk in, engulfing his being, his heart began to thud heavily; something was amiss.

He reached inside his pocket for his phone, surprised to see it wasn't there.

He crouched, patting his body. It was then he realized the loud splash he'd heard had been his phone falling into the murky waters and not what he initially thought it was. Dami swore under his breath, a thin sheen of sweat glistening on his forehead. He hesitated in going back to search for it but decided against it when a thunderclap resounded. He broke out in a run, adrenaline coursing through his veins.

Dami's legs brushed past a few sharp thorns, drawing blood but he didn't stop. His chest tightened, lungs deprived of air, his head was spinning like a whirlwind the farther he ran. After a short while, he stopped to catch his breath, jerking when long bony fingers gripped his shoulder. Thick gloomy darkness surrounded him. Dami blinked repeatedly, his sombre eyes adjusting to see a red light glowing from a distance.

He staggered, his feet having lost their ability to move. It was as if the light drew closer because Dami could sense a certain kind of power—a rare intensity. His mouth opened and closed, no sound coming out from his dry raspy throat. His right heel bumped into a large stone, throwing him off balance. The struggle to get a good grip of the umbrella was in vain, heavy rain slammed him hard, obscuring his vision.

Something with a shrewd edge thrusted into his muscular thigh, causing him to let out a high pitched scream, penetrating through the cacophony of crickets. Jessica gasped when she heard the sound and raced to the source. Tears brimmed in her eyes as she found Dami writhing in pain; she flashed her torchlight on his injured leg, fresh blood was pumping out from the wound. Jessie quickly went behind to assist him, grunting as she bore his heavy weight.

"Come on, let's get out of here." Her voice echoed into the stillness of the night as they scrambled awkwardly, their clothes drenched to the bone.

"What happened out there? I thought you made use of a cab," Jessica queried, wrapping a warm blanket around Dami's shaky body. She'd managed to bandage his deep wound with an old cloth and change him out of his wet clothes. She sat beside him on the bed, watching as his lower lip trembled.

"I don't un-der-stand." Dami linked hands with Jessica, battling for the right words to say. His injured leg ached, making his head throb. He growled, "One minute I was heading to your house with my phone and the next, I'm lost. My phone gone."

She rubbed her sweaty palms on her lap, heaving a deep sigh. "That wouldn't have happened if you'd just entered a vehicle. I'm sorry, honey. I brought all this on you. Now, you're hurt and I don't know... I feel... empty."

"What is going on? Is someone after me?" Jessica croaked. Dami wiped a stray tear from her cheek with his thumb, shifting closer.

"I have no idea, baby. We just have to be careful. I can't... even... believe I almost... lost you and I'm not doing enough as a girlfriend... I need to—."

Dami placed a finger on her lips, silencing her frantic ramble. He cracked an assuring smile. "I know we're going to be okay. There's no mistaking that. We just have to keep praying and stay woke." As he talked, a brown envelope lying on the bedside table caught his attention. His brows furrowed, reaching out a hand to grab it, almost the same time as Jessica.

They both stared at each other, Dami relaxing back because of the slight pressure on his wound. "What's that?" He asked, eyeing her as she snatched the item and went to hide it in her closet. Angered by her muteness, he gritted his teeth, glaring daggers at her back.

"What the hell are you hiding from me?" Jessica avoided his intense gaze. It was then he knew, he had an inkling, call it paranoia if you may— that she was cheating on him and now, it was confirmed. "Is that your boyfriend's letter?" He questioned, blowing out shuddering breaths to calm his raging temper.

Jessica bit her nails. "No, it's not. It's something someone sent to me. It's confidential."

Dami huffed, bobbing his head. He was right after all. Relationships were a waste. "You don't want to tell me because you would be hurting his feelings right? Tell me babe, since when have you been seeing him?"

She frowned, confused. "What are you talking about?"

Dami was already putting two and two together. "Was he the one that broke into my house?"

Jessica crossed her arms under her breast, staring with indignation. "You've started all these your useless allegations again o. Which one is boyfriend for this matter?"

He cleared his throat, changing position to ease his discomfort. "If it isn't a boyfriend you're attempting to hide from me, then, what is?"

She hung her head low, pressing her lips in a thin line. She considered telling Dami but she recalled Valentina's plea of keeping shut. She immediately thought of a smooth lie as the awkward silence seemed to stretch on. "It's actually for Becca. Her mother sent her a letter that needs her urgent attention. It's about her father."

"What happened to him?" Dami inquired, unsure.

"He's in a coma."