THE DOUBLE BLOW

My head felt so heavy, It took a lot of conscious effort to open my eyes. When I finally managed to open my eyes and took in my surroundings, all the memories came rushing.

The hooded creature from the video looked identical to the one that starred in my nightmares. I rubbed my arms to ward off, the coldness I felt.

I took out my phone and played the video again, but on a low volume. Alex would turn into an angry bear if he saw me watching the video again.

This time I was mentally prepared to watch the clip. Though my heartbeat accelerated, I was able to pay attention to the details.

I tried hard but I couldn’t figure out what the hooded creature was. Unless I found out the creature we were up against, how could I try to come up with a plan to save people? Now there was only one way to find out more about the creature.

I had to put myself in a situation where the creature would come to me. My hands automatically crossed over my belly. I didn’t want to endanger my baby’s life but How could I sit still when my friends were dying.

I knew Alex would never forgive me for this but I had to do it. I pursed my lips and took a deep breath. I just had to wait for an opportunity and sneak out. If possible at night. That would increase my chances of coming face to face with the creature.

I threw off the blankets and tried to stand but I felt dizzy. I had to take the support of the wall to reach the door. I gripped the railing as I scrambled down. 

I knew that something was wrong when found Alex and Aaron sitting with a listless expression. As usual, Alex tried to hide the truth from me. How could I blame him? After all, I had fainted a while ago.

When Susie blamed me for killing Philip  I felt a double blow. First, I couldn’t believe that Philip was dead. It was difficult to digest that I would never see him again.

Second, Susie blamed me for killing someone who was like a brother to me. I knew she was disturbed by Philip's death but it still shattered me.

Alex hugged me and tried to console me. He was by my side as usual. I must have been blessed by the Seven heavens that I found someone like him. My heart twisted with guilt when I thought about lying to him.

Before my determination was weakened, I disentangled myself and said, “Let’s go to the college!” 

I had expected Alex to protest but he came along quietly which was a good thing. I didn’t know how much fight I had left within me.

I felt very weak for some reason. I would have fallen if Alex wasn’t supporting me the whole way.

When we reached the college ground, it was totally bare. So much so even the cats, birds, and insects seemed to have disappeared. I gulped at the sight. I was prepared to see irritated, injured, and maybe even dead people but this void was unnerving.

Alex tightened his grip on my shoulders and said, “We could go back if you wish.”

I shook my head vehemently at this suggestion. I had to find out where everyone was. I had to try to save the students that were left.

“Hello!!!! Is anyone there……I am Eva……I have come to help you out….Alex is with me too……” I shouted as loudly as I could as I walked through the corridor.

“Yeah, Guys! Don’t worry. We will take you to a safe place!” Alex shouted at the top of the lungs.

This seemed to have a positive effect. I sensed some movement in the Security room. My heart beat against my ribs faster than the hooves of a galloping horse hits the ground.

I felt the blood rush to my face as I placed my hand on the doorknob. Alex put his hands on my shoulders and squeezed it slightly. A sense of security washed through me and I turned the doorknob to open it.

About forty students were huddled together, in the corner of the room. Each one had something in their raised hands, some had sticks, some metal rods, and the others had books. I assumed they wanted to use these objects to protect themselves.

I raised my arms and showed them my empty palms as I walked in. Alex followed close behind me.

“Is that really you, Eva,” Michael asked in a shaking voice.

“Yes, Michael. We saw everything that happened in the news. We are here to help you.”

The stick from his hand dropped to the floor and he gathered me into a hug and said between gasps, “We thought everyone had abandoned us……No one would come to help us………Thank you…..thank you…..thank you for coming…….”

He was holding me a bit too tight. I felt suffocated but I didn’t want to push him away rudely either. My face turned red and I tried to disentangle myself but his grip was like iron bars.

The next moment he got pulled away and was hugged by Alex as he gritted out, “Good to see you mate.”

His eyes were burning with emotion. Was he jealous that Michael had hugged me? I shook my head. I couldn’t believe that Alex could think of something like this in such a situation.

My suspicion was confirmed when Michael pushed Alex away and muttered, “Are you trying to kill me with your hug.” Alex had been holding him with too much force.

“Alex, we can't leave them here. Where do we take them?” I asked to distract him.

“Ummm…..I don’t know…..maybe we will take them to my house for a while. I know it is not large enough to accommodate so many people but they can at least have something and freshen up. We can decide the rest later.” He suggested.

I thought that it was the best decision for now and decided to agree to it.

“Okay, let’s go……………” The rest of the sentence remained stuck in my mouth as my eyes took in the scene being displayed on the CCTV screen.

“No! This cannot be happening.” I whispered.

Michael looked at the screen too but his eyebrows furrowed with confusion and he said, “What is wrong? That is Robert. We had sent him out to get some food.”

“Why did you do that!?” I said pulling my hair. I wanted to have a close look at the hooded creature but not with so many people around.

“Alex shut the door immediately. Everyone help me pile as many objects as possible against the door.” I instructed. Surprisingly everyone followed my instructions but they were watching me with questioning eyes.

“Look at Robert carefully. Do you notice anything different?” I suggested.

There was silence for a few moments and then they started speaking one by one.

“Look at his eyes, they are red, just like the one who was here yesterday.”

“Moreover, there is no light in his eyes, it’s as if you are looking at a corpse.”

“Gosh! look at his face carefully, there are bloodstains on his face and cheek.” A girl shrieked.

“Shhh……….. Speak softly….” I whispered but it was already too late.

The door was being shoved from outside, then there were knocks. The door was creaking and shaking. It could break at any moment.