“Upset?” Ash echoed, eyes huge. “About what?”
Another violent slam hit the door.
Seph swallowed.
“I might’ve… scared her,” she murmured, voice tight. “I was in the quad when the monster attacked. I think she sensed it.”
Dev stepped closer, eyes narrowed at the door like he could see through it. “There’s nothing in that room with a pulse,” he muttered. “Whatever’s in there… it’s not human.”
Jess’s knuckles tightened on the bat. “Seph. I’m serious. You’re not sleeping in there. You’re coming to my room—”
“No.” Seph’s voice was soft but firm. “She won’t hurt you.”
Jess stared at her like she’d lost her mind. “How do you know that?”
Seph hesitated — just long enough to tell me shedidknow something.
Then she whispered, “Because… she cares for me.”
Seph reached forward and opened the door. As she did, I spotted several things floating in the air in a frenzy. All of them paused as Seph approached.
The air went icy.
The lights above us flickered twice, like someone was breathing on the bulbs.
But then - the banging stopped.
Instantly.
And all Seph’s pens fell to the floor.
Silence rippled through the hallway.
Seph stepped forward.
“It’s okay,” she whispered. “I’m here. I’m sorry I left.”
Something brushed the other side of the door — a soft scrape. Like an answer only she could interpret.
Her shoulders eased.
Ash looked at me, wide-eyed.
Dev looked at the door like it was a puzzle he suddenly needed to solve.
Jess lowered the bat an inch. “Seph… what the hell is going on?”
Seph forced a small, tired smile.
“She’s a friend. Aren’t you?” she asked the room.
On the desk a pen was picked up and a small smiley face came to life of the discarded pad of paper.
I flinched, looking around warily.
“Seph, what the fuck is it?”
Dev looked at Ash. “Is this your doing?”
