Page 9 of The Gargoyle in the College

“But through the night?”

He laughs. “Do you think the gargoyle can go and clean himself? He would have done it long ago.”

I snort a laugh, hoping I sound genuine enough. “Maybe it’s another group of new students.”

“Ah, I like your train of thought. Maybe that’s the case. It’s not what I expected, but regardless. I suppose we should get going before we’ll get into trouble.”

“Sure, let’s go.”

A few of us head toward the lecture hall. I turn around to glance at the gargoyle. It is still at its spot, like what a statue does.

But...

Am I seeing things?

Did the gargoyle blink?

“What are you doing? Come on!” My classmates wave at me, gesturing for me to cross the road.

“I’m coming!”

I’m probably overthinking it. A gargoyle statue isn’t going to wink at me.

But...

It feels like the statue is looking at me. Is that the same as how the eyes in paintings seem to be staring all the time? Or is there something with the gargoyle?

Chapter 6

Laura

I... It is so dumb to have fallen asleep in the library. I meant to study and get a head start for the school year, but that didn’t work out well.

The library is one of the few buildings that are open 24 hours a day, so no one told me or woke me when it got late. I suppose that means sleeping in the library isn’t that rare for the staff working there. But it’s not working out well for me.

I check my watch as I pack my laptop and everything into my backpack. It is already later than my usual dinner time. It is dark outside, and I shouldn’t be out until this late in the day. My bed and my room turn out to be a lot more enticing. Maybe Ishould have gone back to my room. It isn’t like I can’t study there anyway.

But it is what it is, and it is already too late to regret my life choices.

I put on my backpack and hurry out of the library. There’s still a short walk before I’ll be back.

It is dark outside. The dim street light doesn’t help at all. I’m not in the dorm area yet, and it’s already scaring me. This college is famous for its nice greenery and nature, but I’m not enjoying that at all right now.

I look around as I walk, making sure I don’t trip on the uneven ground that’s paved with bricks.

This is such an old-fashioned place. It feels like something bad may happen.

The college is in a suburban area, not that far from the city, but it feels like I’m in another world.

The trees are so thick in the evening that it feels like a wolf can jump out at any time, even though, logically, that’s not going to happen at all. Just like the gargoyle won’t wink at me ever.

The gate that leads to the dorm area comes into view. I take a breath and pick up speed. I can use a nice shower and—

Something moves from the side. I spin around to see someone coming at me. That doesn’t feel right at all, so I start dashing along the road.

Who the fuck is that?

They chase behind me. I hop and skip, trying to make my way on the rugged road.

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