It doesn’t take long to realize how inconsiderate I’ve been, and I put my phone away, following after him.
“Wait,” I urge, rushing to catch up. He abruptly stops, causing me to damn near slam into his back.
“Yes?” He turns, dropping his hood, and now I see him.
Oh my God.
His sculpted cheekbones slice the air, angling down to hisstubbled jaw line with loose strands of jet-black hair gleaming a metallic gray and curling behind his ear.He’s like a fairytale prince.
Lengthy lashes hover over lemon-lime eyes as a sea of onyx swirls his irises. The way his top eyelids cut those beautiful orbs in half, reminds me of the perfect fruit to add to my beverage. My jaw slacks at the sight of him.
Stop staring. We’re not here to find love, no matter how attractive he is.I examine my fingers, trying to keep the blood from dominating my cheeks. “Kyra,” I voice or rather mutter.
“Excuse me?” he rebuts, and with a soft touch, he hooks a finger beneath my chin, redirecting my perusal. “Are you telling me your name?” I nod at a loss for words, and his hand drops. “Well, Kyra, I’m Raine. Nice to meet you.”
After a snap of time, he frowns at my returned silence.This is awkward.
“Anyways, I’m getting drunk–a drink–I’m getting a drink.” *Sigh* “I hope to see you around?” Giving it a second, I recognize how desperate I sound. Not to mention he may think I’m an alcoholic. I should leave.
“Before you go, my number is stored in your phone. Use it whenever you feel inclined.”
Raine smiles before leaving, whistling the tune from earlier.
Excuse me, what?Retrieving my phone, I scroll through the contacts. It doesn’t take long finding it with only two numbers saved. ‘Lost and Found.’ There it is, hidden under a ridiculous name. One I’ll change later, but still, I smile.
Continuing my plan, I step onto the trail of green, pulsing arrows with an upbeat attitude. Walking past them triggers a burst of glitter, awakening a gleeful laugh. I keep a steady pace, opposite of Raine’s direction, stepping on arrows like a game of whack-o-mole as I watch them explode.
The shorter bushes grow taller and the trees larger as I pass, but with the moon orbiting so close, the campus stays well lit. Floatinglights are scattered to keep shadows at a minimum, but one spot ahead captures my gaze.
Trampling an arrow, I notice that those after lead into the one shadowy spot with zero lighting. Great. I sweep the land and glare around its dreaded void. Nothing. This is my only way through.
Remaining calm, because why shouldn’t I? Me and shadows mix sooo well. I hustle to the next arrow, my single light source, not letting my sight falter for a second, anticipating someone jumping out and grabbing me.Like Ethan.
After enduring an eternity of this hell, a peak of light becomes my beacon of hope. With ten or so feet to go, the thrumming in my chest elevates. Five feet. Four feet. Three feet. My eyes are wide with optimism as my foot breaches the veil, and warmth hits my skin.I’m beyond the years of being afraid of the dark. Keep this in mind.
A lamp floats above, and I exhale my relief in a single breath. It’s daft to think someone was waiting to peel off my skin and wear it as a coat, but then again, watching too many horror films will conjure deranged ideas. I blame Rosie.
A sentiment I soon discard as an eerie feeling presses against my skin with a warning to flee. But screwthat. Tonight, I’m not cowering from the shadows, but instead, standing firm.
Turning around and facing my fears, I raise my middle finger. “Fuc–”Shit.
My lungs turn solid, peering at a set of pink, glowing eyes, shining amidst a sea of darkness. One millisecond they were there and gone the next.Blinking.Something is observing me, watching and waiting.
An inner dialog of heroism urges me to remain, despite my knotted stomach and sweaty palms, yet this silent stare fights against those impulses.I hate those eyes.
Disregarding my better judgment, I step forward, mustering the courage to confront this ominous being, but I stall. The glowing pair is directed towards my feet, and a second later, the pink hues lift to meet mine.
Cautious, I take another step, and they shift down in haste again, squinting with disapproval before returning up. Before I can take another step, a faint tap against the ground catches my ear.Did those eyes become larger…No, they’re getting closer.
Dirt shuffles beneath the oncoming steps, and a primal growl roams from the darkness.Fuck that, I’m not dying in this horror movie.I squeal, turn, and run. Adrenaline moves my legs as fast as they can carry me, ending my game of whack-o-mole.
Before long, ‘Speak Easy’ introduces itself with bright neon lights, and the last arrow glows red at its entrance. Out of breath and panting, I’m relieved. Still, I turn.Nothing.The eyes are gone. “I’m…taking another way…back.”
Two guys approach from another direction, whispering amongst themselves and halting after seeing me hunched over. “What is she doing?” one asks, looming with tattoos of fallen angels depicted on his arms.
“I don’t know, but she’s a first-year student. Leave her be,” the other says, and I notice red tips of his hair dangling from underneath his hooded jacket. A symbol on his chest shows a sword in a rock it seems.
The first guy waves me off, and glimmers of green light fade from existence.Sassy.
