The Campus Demon {Nanowrimo 2020}

Chapter 17

Jessica was curled up in a tight ball, spent from all the crying when she heard a loud knock on her door. She sniffed, wiping her tears dry and taking a quick look at herself in the dresser mirror. Drawing in a deep breath, she slipped her feet into her bathroom slippers, peeking through the parted silk curtains before sliding the lock open. She was engulfed in a tight hug, making her head throb the more.

Becca trembled convulsively, perching at the edge of the bed, her swollen eyes darting here and there. Jessica banged the door shut, walking over to seat beside her, careful not to press for too much information; she'd obviously heard the widespread news. She patted her back, drawing her closer as she sobbed to her heart content. Body shaking, palms sweaty, mind grasping at straws, heart pulsating and lips quivering, Becca stared at her friend, wiping snort from her nose with the back of her hand.

"Did you see it? My roommate's dead because of that vile thing, or whatever it is." Her voice was tiny and hollow, her face had become gaunter in just a few hours.

"I did, girlie. And that is not a thing. It's a demon. Let me show you." Prisca pulled back a plastic chair, typing away at the keyboard of her desktop computer. With gaze focused on the lighted screen, she didn't see her friend stand up from the bed, leaning closer, hot breath fanning her neck. She was googling what had been initiated during the foundation of the university. Jessica clicked on the search button, waiting for it to load.

She bit her bottom lip, gasping as she came up with nothing. "But the info was right here like two hours ago." She was baffled. She kept clicking over and over, brows creased.

"They've removed the info from the site. Typical. The university is definitely hiding that demon from the public. What did you find?" Becca heaved an exaggerated sigh, plopping on the bed.

"Okay... so Uniport was known to be one of the schools during the olden days that was always ranking bottom. That was until they found out from the goddess of science—a beautiful mermaid, that they could create a being which could help them from their academic decline. She informed the vice chancellor then that the consequences were going to be a bit grave. They had to offer a certain number of students to appease the demon," Jessica tried to explain calmly.

"And he agreed?" Asked Becca, scoffing.

Her friend gave a curt nod, sitting akimbo. "That's what is killing us at random. I guess the demon has tasted a lot of blood and wants more."

"Does it renew its age? Could it be in a human form also?"

Jessica shrugged, slouching in her seat. "No one knows my dear. Anyways, how'd your trip go?"

Becca attempted a smile, her dry mouth cracking. "It was amazing. Dubai is a really nice place to visit. But my experience is now ruined, hearing all that's happened. I pray Fiona's soul rests in perfect peace."

"I hope so too... How's Fikkayo doing?" Jessica inquired, throwing her friend momentarily off balance.

"What do you mean?" Becca deadpanned.

"I mean what's his take on what is going on. I gather he's been pretty quiet about it," she stated.

"Umm, hope you aren't trying to insinuate that my boyfriend has something to do with this." Becca frowned, glaring at Prisca.

"Ooh no... far from that. I just want to know how he's faring. That's all."

"He's faring alright. Taking his meds and treating himself right," Becca replied.

"He is bipolar, I figured."

Her neck snapped, her eyes narrowing to slits. "How the hell did you know that?"

Jessica clamped her mouth shut, scratching the back of her neck. "I guessed though. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that."

"Is there something you're not telling me?" Becks enquired, forehead crinkling.

"No, why would there be?" Jessica clasped her hand. "Have you eaten anything since you arrived?"

At the mention of food, her stomach grumbled, causing her to squirm uncomfortably. "Not actually. Did you cook?"

"I could whip something real quick. Would you like eating noodles?"

Becks nodded, mute. She massaged her temples, a yawn escaping her lips. "Why does your house make someone feel sleepy all the time?" She trailed behind Jessica to the cramped kitchen, watching as she pounded a pack of noodles with her fist.

"It's just you. Dami hasn't complained of that ever."

"Ehn, speaking of Dami... You sent me a text one time that someone trashed his apartment. Did he later track the person?"

Jessica answered in the negative, pouring the indomie into a pot of warm water and sprinkling the ingredients. "He didn't even make an effort to report to the police."

"Think the person is someone he knows?"

"I guess so. But I'm not so sure. You know the police these days, you'd have to pay a certain sum of money to make a statement talk less of issuing an arrest. It's a shitty country we live in."

Becks hissed. "They're all useless. Yet, the country labels them as a friend. Friends that like extorting money from people for their own selfish reasons." She crossed her arms, sun rays flittering through the open windows, reflecting on her sunken cheeks.

"You've actually lost weight o. Haba, it hasn't even been up to a day," Jessica commented.

Her friend chuckled. "I don't do well with stress. In fact, I don't think anyone does."

Just then, Becks heard her phone give a shrill cry. She hesitated before fishing in her purse, staring at the unknown number.

"Who's calling?" Jessica asked, putting the food on fire, cleaning her hand on the apron tied around her waist.

"I don't know." Becks said, unsure. She picked the call, waiting for the person on the other end of the line to speak.

"Hello, Becks. Please give the phone to J, I want to talk to her." She passed the phone to Jessica, pouting slightly.

"Hello, who's this?" Jessica asked, unsettled.

"It's me, baby. This is my new number. Your line has not been going through. I was really worried. Hope you're safe," Dami said, breathing heavily.

Jessica's heartbeat slowed as she heard Dami's voice. She signaled to Becks who was pacing back and forth, pensive. "Yeah. I'm good, love. Sorry, my phone crashed at school. I was scared, gunshots were being fired. I'm deeply glad that you're okay."

"Glad nothing happened to you, baby. I didn't know whether to call your friend though. But I remembered you told me she was coming back from her trip today. Can you give her the phone let me talk to her? I just want to greet her, that's all," Dami was still sounding worried from his tone.

"Is everything okay with you?" Becks asked, gulping hardly. She listened as Dami talked, tears filling her eyes. She gasped, the phone falling from her grasp to the floor.

"What happened?" Jessica's jaw clenched.

"Michael... he was found... somewhere off creek road... Fikkie, I need.. to get.. to him."