"Jo..."

In my daze, I heard a heart-wrenching voice, echoing into the distance.

"Jo..."

Another soft call. Struggling to open my eyes, I tried to see who was pranking me while I was sleeping. But, my eyelids were so heavy that I couldn't open them at all.

Opening my mouth, I tried to call my roommate, who was sleeping on the upper bunk, but I couldn't make a sound, as if there was something lodged in my throat. Trying to turn over, I realized I was paralysed.

What was going on? This was so uncomfortable...

Soon, my body started getting heavier, like something was pressing on my body. My breathing soon got labored. There was a gust of cold wind, and I couldn't help but shiver. Wide awake, suddenly, I heard a light laugh right beside my ear.

At once, I felt a large cold hand on my neck. Hairs standing on end, I screamed. But I couldn't make a sound as my lips were blocked by something cold. Chills ran down my spine. It felt as if I was doused in ice cold water.

I struggled furiously. Finally, I managed to crack open my eyes. In the gap, my eyes met a pair of bloodshot eyes. Goosebumps rose against my skin. I tried to shout, but my lips were pressed shut, making me unable to say anything.

His cold hand that was holding my face was slowly melting on my cheeks. The thing that had sealed my lips seemed to have moved away slightly. Cold breath entered my mouth, and a low male voice spoke. "Why can't you be a good girl?"

I tried my best to move, but my limbs were firmly pressed down.

Help! Anyone, please save me... Engulfed in fear, I was on the brink of tears. Why? How did this happen?

Cold hands suddenly covered my eyes, and a low murmur rang out. "Don't look."

Word by word, he spoke sadly, yet the voice was filled with temptation, lingering in the thin air. I couldn't help but be fascinated by it. Soon, my fear slowly faded along with the voice.

"Don't look. I won't hurt you..."

His deep voice had a strange charm. Gradually, I soon lost myself in it... After some time, I suddenly felt a sharp pain in my lower part of body. Jolting awake, the pain was so bad that I couldn't help but gasp. It was as if I was gutted with a knife.

A surprised voice rang out in front of me. Judging from that voice, it should be Aniyah who slept on the upper bunk. Gasping, she exclaimed, "Jolin Davidson, that's quite a masterpiece you have there."

Masterpiece? What was she talking about?

I looked down. My blue bed sheet was stained by blood. Overcome by embarrassment, I mumbled, "Uh... I'm on my period..."

"You should take a break from the morning session. I'll cover for you. Hurry and clean up. You still have to attend the old witch's class," spoke Aniyah.

Gratefully I thanked her.

Since I wouldn't go to the morning session, I waited for my roommates to finish their morning routine before going to the bathroom. After taking a hot bath, I changed my underwear and put on a sanitary pad. Suddenly, I froze.

My body was covered in red spots but the marks didn't seem serious. Just while my mind was wandering, fragments of memories quickly flashed through my mind—big cold hands, blood red eyes...

Shocked by my memory, I looked up into the mirror. It was foggy but I couldn't care less. I picked up my towel and hurriedly wiped it several times.

"Ah!"

The narrow bathroom echoed with my frightened shriek. I was so scared that I took a step back and almost fell. In the mirror, my body was covered with spots. The color seemed to be darker than earlier. It was as if I was bitten by some bug, or...

As the fragmented memories whizzed in my mind, chills ran down my spine. Those red eyes… Was it a ghost?

Don't blame me for my thoughts. Ever since I was a child, I could always see the supernatural. Grandma told me I was special and would attract the paranormal. So, I wore a blood-colored bead around my neck all year round that was said to ward off evil. But in fact, I could still see the unknown. At the very least, they rarely came near me or harassed my life.

But now...

I hurriedly touched my neck. The familiar necklace was still there. How could I explain the marks on my body? Were these really bug bites?

The blood-red eyes lingered in my mind. The more I thought about it, the more scared I became. I quickly put on my pajamas and ran out of the bathroom in panic. My hands trembled as I took out my phone.

I couldn't wait to call my grandmother, but the call went to voicemail. Flustered, I heard my voice shaking. "What should I do? Grandma, I saw the fulth..."

"Filth... Are you talking about me?"

A low male voice suddenly echoed behind me. Eyes widening, I watched in horror as the curtains on the window slowly drew closer to the middle until they were closed shut.

The room instantly dimmed.

Instantly, I was enveloped in a coldness. Goosebumps rose against my skin. Scared, I dropped my cell phone to the ground. My hands and feet started turning cold...