Chapter thirteen

This novel is about a college student whose fate is something she never expected which could change her life forever - that is, to investigate a crime scene that happened within her school.

Alicia's POV

Aaaaaaaaaaa! Help!

A screeching noise was heard not far from where I was sitting. I became so alarmed that panic rose through my nerves. How could a girl scream that much at such peaceful hour?

I listened closely to where the direction of the yell was. After a while, I discerned it had to be somewhere inside the Fine Arts Building. Walking like a cat, I entered the building while bringing along my things. The massive main hall was totally silent and empty with people. I continued walking, hopeful that I would be able to find that screaming girl. God, please don't let anything bad happen to that girl.

Every footstep I made seemed to quicken my heart beat uncontrollably. In order to support my seemingly wobbly feet, I was clinging to the wall as I scanned each corner. I searched everywhere, jumping from room to room just to look for signs of any girl around but didn't have much luck.

Sighing, I walked out of the exit door. Perhaps I was just hallucinating. I turned left absentmindedly. I continued pacing without paying much attention to where I was going until I realized I was lost. Oh no. Where the heck was I?

I looked at my surroundings. I felt like I was in the middle of an abandoned area. The feeling was spooky enough to make me walk back to the building in a snap.

At the very moment when I turned my back, I heard footsteps from behind. Immediately, I looked around. At a certain distance, I saw a girl running. I had to narrow my eyes a bit to make sure what I saw was right. There she was running so amazingly fast wearing that horrified look on her face. It appeared to me like she was being chased by some scary animal or something. I didn't have any idea who the girl was honestly. I didn't have any clue what's going on either. I was simply standing here and waiting for what's going to happen next. Most likely, I was sensing trouble here. I couldn't explain why.

To my surprise, the girl halted abruptly. Both her hands were on her neck. Wait. Was she struggling? Why? How? Narrowing my eyes again, I examined her carefully.

I wasn't wrong. She was out of breath and struggling to get something out of her neck. That's strange indeed. I didn't see any rope in her neck. Like what? Was this some sort of mockery or pantomime? Still, I was staring in disbelief not knowing what to do.

Just then a person approached the struggling girl from the woods. He was a tall man wearing black mask, black shirt, black pants and black leather shoes. Oddly, he's wearing all black! My mind was processing at that moment until suddenly, horror came to my senses. This wasn't some kind of a prank. Everything had to be a real frightening murder scene!

Right in front of my eyes, I saw the girl being pulled by that creepy guy like a marionette! I didn't believe in magic tricks but I swore at this very moment I saw a real one unbelievably. Falling onto her knees, the girl strove really hard to breathe but something was strangling her. As I said, I didn't see any rope that made her get strangled by then. Well, I wouldn't blame anyone telling me that I'm an idiot for believing that magic is real.

The guy got closer and closer to that girl until she passed her limit and lost consciousness. Oh dear. That guy had to be bad news! I would have wanted to help the girl but I was too startled that I couldn't even move my shivering knees. My heart accelerated its beat hurtful enough to make me catch for my breath painstakingly. I tried my hardest to move my right foot backwards. I did in a little while but lost my footing so I tripped accidentally.

Uh-oh. The masked man turned his way to me. He saw me! Scared as hell, I was shaking even more. Even my lips were trembling. Fixing his black gloves, he started moving towards me. Without hesitation, I stood up immediately and darted away from this dangerous man.

I didn't have much time thinking on which direction to go. I only followed my survival instincts at this critical moment. I had to or else I'd suffer the same fate like that poor girl.

Running for my life never ever came to my mind before. I never knew I'd be chased by some psychopath at the depths of this university. Panting, screaming through my head, I still want to live! I still want to cherish this gift of life. I still want to hear the laughter of my friends, the gentle voice of mom, the caring statements of my older brother and the annoying teases of my childhood friend. I still want to do the things I really want to do. Did I truly deserve death right here and then? For crying out loud, what did I do to be entitled of this cruel fate?

Gasping for air, I sprinted as far away as I could from that loathsome killer. Glancing around, I still didn't know where I was exactly. The area was surrounded almost completely with plants of different kinds. Wait. Was this the botanical garden?

Lost in my mind, I stumbled once more when my left foot tripped from a huge root of a certain tree. My left knee ached too badly and I could barely move. I noticed that the place was already darker than it had been a while ago. Suddenly remembering that I was being followed, I fought my way up and did my very best to walk as fast as I could. Bringing along my things which were neatly kept inside my sling bag, I was limping my way through the streak of light I saw not far from where I was. C'mon feet. Cooperate with me just this once.

The light grew larger each stride I took. I closed my eyes as I tried to make my way out until finally I was out of the light. I discerned I was on the right path. This was the main road going to the school dormitory, the road towards my salvation.

I got spirited up as I was limping back to the dorm. I knew I'd be saved once I'd step foot on the dormitory. That murderer could not just kill me in front of everyone, could he? Wait. What if he could? Remember, that man's a psychopath. Shoving that daunting possibility away from my head, I hastened my pace. My bruised knee throbbed harder but I ignored it. This hurting knee's much more bearable than giving up my life to that despicable slayer.

At long last, I arrived in the girls' dormitory. I rushed to my room in an incredible speed, leaving the girls in the lobby with eyes wide open and jaws dropped. Banging the door open, I stood in the doorway panting. In a little while, I closed the door, limped towards my bed and sprawled on the soft foam of my bed. Breathing heavily, I closed my eyes and thanked God for making it this far. I survived that deadly scene.

Surprisingly, my phone vibrated on my thigh. In utter bewilderment, I opened my eyes with heart thumping wildly. I thought for a second that the killer had made his way to my room! That was totally freaking me out! I picked up the phone from the right pocket of my pants, lifted it eye-level and saw Phin's message on the screen saying, "Are you free now?"