Page 97 of My Roommate from Hell
I remember the promise he made his parents. Is he going to get in trouble because of this? I know we were filmed while we were in the bathroom, and cameras tend to follow Zarmenus wherever he goes, so there’s a good chance his transformation was caught on camera. I doubt his parents will love that.
“I think I’m done being friends with them,” he says. “Truth be told, I only started hanging out with them because my parents told me I should get to know important humans. But they always made me feel like I was being used or like I was a sideshow freak. I had a lot more fun at that game night. Do you think I could join next time?”
“Of course,” I say. “They all loved you.”
“You know,” he says. He cracks his neck and flexes his wings. “I could fly us back to Clark. I’m transformed already, the damage is done.”
He smiles wider, showing off his teeth. They’re mostly normal, but his incisors are now pointed like fangs. “I promise I won’t drop you.”
“I’m good,” I say, taking a step away from him. I’m not a huge fan of heights. Then I remember that new experiences are part of why college is such a cherished time in so many people’s lives. And how many people can say they’ve been carried by a demon?
“Come on, it’ll be fun,” he says.
“You better not drop me.”
I can’t believe I’m doing this. I go up to him and turn around sohe can loop his arms under mine. His skin feels decadently warm, and I’m all too aware that he’s not wearing a shirt. He smells like fire and heat, reminding me of standing close to a bonfire. He’s so much stronger than me, but I know without a doubt that I’m safe.
“Ready?” he asks.
Before I can answer, he shoots up into the air faster than any ride I’ve ever been on.
I start screaming.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
Zarmenus was wrong.
That was not, in fact, fun.
We touch down in front of Clark Hall. My legs feel woozy, and I stagger into the wall in order to hold myself up. Adrenaline is coursing through my veins at a level that could be dangerous, and I’m finding it difficult to breathe.
In a whirl of fire, Zarmenus transforms back to his human form.
Actually, wait. That was fun. After the pure shot of terror that was takeoff, the next scary part was how high up we were. But once I figured out I was safe, I actually started to enjoy it. The moon is nearly full tonight, and I got a great view of the campus from so high up. It felt like going on a scary roller coaster.
When Zarmenus and I get back to our room, I notice the eye is gone.
“Guess it got bored,” says Zarmenus. “Or it found someone more interesting to watch.”
I don’t mind where it is, as long as it’s not here. It means our room is more peaceful. Bell is curled up on the floor, and the doll is back on my bed.
We weren’t at the party long, so I’m not exactly tired. I guess I’ll just watch a movie in bed until it’s time to call it a night. I am kind of sweaty, though, from the flight. I go into the bathroomas Zarmenus pulls on a tank top, replacing his burned shirt. As I flick the bathroom light on, I’m expecting to see the ghoul, but the bathroom is empty at the moment. I shower and brush my teeth, then get changed into my pj’s. In the mirror, my reflection catches my eye.
Who am I? I flew across the campus with a demon. I said yes to that. I don’t regret it, I’m so glad that I did. I just feel so different. There’s no way the old me would’ve said yes, I would’ve been too terrified of all the ways it could’ve gone wrong.
Then I remember what Adam said to me. He still doesn’t believe us, and apparently Tyrell doesn’t, either.
As if on cue, I get a text from him.
Hey, that was quite an exit! Just making sure you’re okay.
I lock my phone. I’m simply not sure how to deal with that situation this very second.
It all starts to catch up with me. I was so confident at the party, and it felt great. But now I feel my usual anxieties creeping back in. I want them gone, I really do, but I’ve never been able to control my thoughts. I wish I could.
He’d never say it, because I do think Zarmenus likes me as a person, but there’s no way any of these things would be happening if it weren’t for our pact. He wouldn’t take me on flights across campus or join me in a bathroom to try to pull a ruse on a bunch of rich assholes. I’ve been having the time of my life doing these things, but I can’t forget that they wouldn’t be happening if I weren’t helping him.
I leave the bathroom. Zarmenus is sitting in his bed with his headphones on. I grab my laptop and climb into bed. Bell jumps onto my lap, clearly unhappy my laptop is taking away my attention. I scratch between her ears and she starts to purr.
