𝓦𝓸𝓻𝓽𝓮𝔁

It happened unexpectedly. Suddenly, it became hard to breathe. A lump formed in your throat, and your limbs grew heavy.

The housewarden began to be covered in a black, viscous liquid, and behind him something rapidly rose. Animal fear completely consumed you. Grabbing Grim, you ran away from the disaster, leaving the students to their fate.

They have magic, so they can protect themselves. But you? You are an ordinary human without magic — how could you help them? And Grim? An ever-hungry, long-eared cat who breathes fire. It’s unlikely he could do anything against this calamity.

You ran into the darkest room you could find. Pressing yourself into a corner, you held Grim tightly to your chest, squeezing his small body. Like him, you fell silent, staring at the doorway, hoping not to see what you had run from.

You heard the students’ screams and the vile laughter of the one who had once been called housewarden.

Twisted. Wet. Inhuman.

Your heart froze every time you heard other students escaping. They ran past your hiding place, not daring to hide there.

Your chest went cold when you realized the laughter and those disgusting sounds were very close.

It is here. It will find you.

You tried with all your strength to press yourself deeper into that damned corner, as if it could hide you better. Grim whimpered and struggled in your grip as the danger approached.

No… No… No…

He will give you away.

You pulled him closer, curling around him. The pounding of your heart filled your ears, preventing you from hearing anything else. Grim stopped struggling and went limp in your arms, finally calming down. You relaxed slightly. The chance of it finding you became a little smaller.

But your body weakened — whether from the creature’s influence or something else, you did not know. Your eyes closed, and you sank into darkness.

***

You hear voices. The familiar voice of the Headmaster somewhere in the distance, and the voices of the students you left behind. Lifting your head, you look at the doorway. No one is there — only something black glistens on the floor.

That was close, you think.

You survived. Everything is fine.

You look down at Grim, wanting to tell him that you made it.

But the feeling of relief quickly fades. Two lifeless sapphire eyes stare at you. His head hangs at a strange angle, and no fire burns from his ears while you continue to squeeze his body. When you loosen your grip, you feel something crunch under your hands.

Your friend’s small body falls into your lap, and you cannot believe what you are seeing.