-----
The sun cast its rays through the curtains, painting a gentle glow across the room. The light slowly crept over the sleeping figure, wrapping her in its warmth. She gently opened her eyes, blinking as they adjusted to the soft brightness.
Turning over, her gaze landed on the figure sleeping on the opposite bed. She looked completely exhausted, her body curled up beneath the covers.
She shifted her eyes toward the clock on the drawer beside her bed.
"Oh no! Not now! I can't be late for my first lecture!" she exclaimed, leaping out of bed in a panic. She didn't even glance at the carefree figure still snoring on the opposite bunk.
She dashed into the bathroom, shivering under the cold water as she bathed in record time. Without checking if everything she needed was packed, she threw on her clothes and bolted out the door, hoping she wasn't already too late.
---
A few hours later...
Ring! Ring!
The piercing ring of a phone echoed through the silent room, yanking the sleepy figure awake. In a panic, Osas jolted upright and fumbled for her phone.
"Hello," she mumbled, her voice thick with sleep as she struggled to keep her eyes open.
"We're waiting for you downstairs," came a cold voice from the other end. The words jolted her fully awake.
"I'll be right there!" she replied quickly, disconnecting the call. She jumped off the bed and turned toward the table—only to find it empty.
Her eyes widened in panic. The bag that had been there last night was gone.
Collapsing to the floor, she racked her brain. Where could it be? Then she turned toward the empty bed next to hers—and it hit her.
"My roommate has it," she gasped under her breath.
Frantically, she tried to call her, but the sound of a phone ringing in the corner of the room made her heart sink. The phone was still plugged in—useless.
"Damn it!" she yelled, grabbing her things in a rush. She didn't care how long it took—she was determined to find her.
On reaching the roadside, she waved frantically.
"Taxi!" she screamed at the top of her lungs.
Luckily, one screeched to a halt right in front of her.
"Faculty of Social Science!" she blurted, jumping into the car without hesitation.
Not far behind, a black Rolls-Royce sat idling quietly at the corner. Its tinted window slowly rolled up, then the engine purred to life as it followed her taxi at a distance.
Osas clutched her phone tightly, her knuckles pale from pressure. Her eyes scanned the scenery through the window, frantically searching the passing crowd for a familiar face.
She didn't notice something was wrong with the driver. His grip on the wheel trembled violently, and his face appeared drained of blood—thinner by the second. He coughed, splattering black blood onto the dash, while black veins throbbed visibly beneath his skin. Sweat dripped from his forehead in steady beads.
Suddenly, the car screeched to a stop. Osas, startled, leaned forward to question him—until she caught sight of the driver's face. Her body stiffened. Memories of the shadows from last night came rushing back.
Panicked, she scrambled for the door, but it wouldn't open. It was locked from the front.
"Ha… ha… ha..."
That voice. The demonic laughter returned, echoing in her skull like a curse.
"No! Not today! Stay away from me! HELP!" she screamed, pounding on the window.
Onlookers turned at the sound, alarmed. But before anyone could reach the car, a dense black fog enveloped it completely. From the outside, nothing could be seen. From the inside, no way out.
"My dear…" the deep voice rumbled, "I've come back for what is mine. Where is it?"
"I—I don't know what you're talking about! HELP ME!" she cried, tears mixing with sweat as her voice cracked in terror.
"You won't talk? That's fine. Daddy likes a good fight."
The car jolted violently as Osas' blood-curdling screams echoed from within. The vehicle shook with a force that chilled even the bravest bystanders. No one dared come closer.
Then—silence.
The shadows began to lift, revealing a scene of horror. Two lifeless bodies sat inside.
Osas' figure was slumped in the back seat, her skin slashed with deep, menacing scars. Blood soaked the interior. Her face—once terrified—was now vacant, her eye sockets hollow and dark. The stench of decay filled the air, unbearable and thick.
The crowd stood frozen, unable to speak. Whatever had taken her… wasn't done yet.
---
Most people stayed at a distance, frozen in fear. But a few brave ones dared to come closer, curiosity driving them forward.
The closest student reached out to touch one of the lifeless bodies, assuming all was calm now.
Suddenly, he let out a blood-curdling scream as his bones snapped violently. His back faced the crowd, but then—his head twisted a full 180 degrees. The abnormal sight sent the others reeling in terror. Students scattered, some screaming, others too shocked to react.
The boy's shrieks filled the air as a demonic force took hold, his corrupted eyes scanning the crowd for its next victim.
Panic exploded.
What had been a lively street moments ago now fell into chaos and silence.
Then, just as the scene grew eerily quiet, two men dressed completely in black stepped out of the black Rolls-Royce. Without saying a word, they opened large black bags—clearly prepared for bodies. They moved with calm precision, gently wrapping the two corpses before placing them in the car's trunk.
Moments later, the vehicle disappeared down the road—like nothing had happened.
---
Chaos soon erupted across the campus.
More students began transforming—one after another—into something… not human.
---
Meanwhile, Ire was in class when the lecturer suddenly paused mid-sentence, then quietly exited without explanation. The room buzzed with confusion.
Pressed for the restroom, Ire packed up her things and slipped out of the class.
The toilet was completely empty. She dropped her bag near the sink and quickly went about her business. As she washed her hands, she accidentally knocked over a soap bottle, which hit her bag—sending everything inside spilling onto the tiled floor.
"Oh no," she groaned, kneeling to pick them up.
Then she saw it—a strange toothed bead lying among her things.
"I don't remember packing this... Maybe it's my roommate's," she mumbled.
She reached for it, but just as her fingers brushed it, a drop of water landed on its surface. The small silver fish hanging from the bead began to glow a soft ocean-blue light. Her breath caught in her throat.
Before she could react, the bead flew out of her hand and wrapped itself tightly around her neck, refusing to come off.
A sharp pain stabbed at her temples. She stumbled, clutching her head as unfamiliar visions flooded her mind—images, voices, shadows… places she'd never seen before.
Terrified and confused, Ire scooped up her belongings and bolted out the door, her breathing unsteady.
She collided hard with someone in the hallway.
"Sorry!" she blurted without looking up, then sprinted away, desperate to escape the madness that had just begun.