A Lesson in Hunting Students [Gemini_Rising x DigitalBlue]

[DigitalBlue]

@Gemini_Rising

Jake was a good student, good grades and did extracurricular activities. He came from a rich family and could’ve chosen any school in the country, but he chose this one because that’s where his friends were all going. He honestly just wanted to chill and be normal. But that kind of all washed away as he felt the knife stab into his back. Not just once but several times. He sputtered, blood pouring out of his mouth and pivoted to look at his attacker, his vision blurred. He tried swinging at the figure standing in front of him but he stumbled backwards and crumpled into a lifeless heap on the ground.

-

“The third one this month... they’re coming more frequently, I think we may have a serial killer on our hands.” Adam Drake could overhear the investigators as they all stood around a body covered with a sheet. “Want me to let the chief know?...” The voices faded as Adam continued walking to his last class. Civics was probably the only core class that he was sort of bad at. Everything he could manage, but civics was just boring and hard for him to concentrate. Adam was dressed in a black t-shirt and slim fitting jeans which showed his powerful figure nicely. Adam was a boxer, but he wasn’t part of any teams or clubs it was just a hobby mostly and to keep in shape. You might think he was popular because of this but he mostly kept to himself.

A brisk walk and he was in class moments later. The civics teacher was Mr. Iverson and he was actually pretty friendly guy. He was tall and somewhat attractive, Adam honestly respected him because he liked to also keep in shape. But something about him just felt off, maybe it was how gaunt his face was or the way his eyes got all crazy sometimes during lectures. It was like puzzle piece fit but just wasn’t right. Other students began to file in and soon after class started.

-

Once class was dismissed Adam was immediately approached by his buddy, David. David dabbled in MMA but was truly a geek at heart, choosing to concentrate on Esports instead of combat sports. That’s actually how they met, Adam had been curious about MMA and met David at one of the meets, turned out they went to the same college and had civics together. “Bro, you going to Chris’ tonight?” David nudged Adam. “What is there another party? I’ve got training at the gym to do.” Adam replied.

“Nah bro, you know those killings?” David lowered his voice and leaned in. “Chris is getting everyone to go look for the killer... aaand to party.” Adam scoffed and swung his bag over his shoulder. “Come on man, I’m skipping training too.”

“What, training your APMs on League?” Adam mocked him. David made a “Tsk” sound with his teeth.

“There’s gonna be chicks there too.” David nudged Adam again. “All I’m sayin is show up if you’re bored, maybe I’ll see you there.”

 

[Gemini_Rising]

The morning sun trickled into Emma Chamberlin's bedroom window. She brushed her blonde hair out of her face as she stretched her body lazily trying to get her bearings. Emma could feel her phone vibrating as multiply notifications went off. Did another fratboy wake up naked in the quad again? The girl thought to herself as she reached over to her nightstand and grab her phone. What she saw on her phone made her heart drop into her stomach. Another death on campus? That was the third one. What the hell was going on? At least she lived in a sorority house. They had security, a house mother, and she had her sisters in the house. It was arguably one of the safest places on campus.

Emma climbed out of bed and looked over to see her roommate was already gone. Maybe she had gone downstairs to the kitchen to make food. Emma quickly grabbed her towel and went off to shower. The thought of another dead body on campus scared her. Emma thought of herself as brave but this was something else. How could someone kill like that? How could someone go out of their way to hurt someone so violently? She shivered at the thought but quickly got dressed.

--

That day Emma decided to wear a light washed jean jacket, a black t-shirt, black leggings, and some converse. Normally she would get a little more dressed up but there was something off about what was happening. It threw Emma off her game. She headed downstairs to meet up with her roommate. Once she got there Bethany quickly handed her a bowl of fruit and they sat down.

"You saw..." Bethany said as she brushed her hair behind her ear nervously. Emma knew she couldn't have been the only one to feel how odd this was. Especially on a college campus. The two girls chatted about the murder before heading off to their civics class. As usual, it was boring but it was a core class so what could they do. The class went by at almost a snail pace but at least Professor Iverson was a little cute to look at. Granted all the students could agree that there was something off-putting about the man. He was normal at times but suddenly would go off on tangents. It was interesting to watch.

Once class was over the girls headed back towards the quad and sat down around some of their sorority and fraterinty friends. "Yoooo." Nick Offerman yelled as the girls sat down. He quickly came over and sat between the girls wrapping his arms around there shoulders. "Another murder! How fucking crazy is that. Chris that dude from Delta Chi is throwing a search party for the killer. The whole campus is practically invited. You ladies coming tonight?" He asked pulling Emma in a little tighter. "Probably not since there is an actual killer out there targeting students. I'd like to live past college." Emma said laughing a bit before pulling away.

"If we decide to go I'll find someone who would actually protect me. If that killer came up to us have no doubt that you'd run away leaving me to fend for myself." She said while looking over at Bethany. "I'll go if you wanna go." Emma asked. Before she could add anything else Bethany was shaking her head yes. She was never one togive up going to a party. "I guess it's settled then." Emma said before sighing. Her stomach feeling uneasy as she thought about the events to come.

 

[DigitalBlue]

PAP PAP, PAP! The sound of fists against a heavy bag filled Adam’s ears, the sound of the powerful blows echoing out into the boxing gym. There were only two other people here besides Adam. Jim, the owner and another regular who was rhythmically hitting the speed bag on the other end of the gym. Adam backed off the bag, he danced around it as it swung lazily back and forth. Bouncing on his toes he timed his movements as if waiting for an opening. Springing forward he lay lose a furious combo. The strikes coming fast and rapidly. Right jab, left jab, right jab, pause, left, left, right, pause, right, right, left and ending the combo with a powerful left hook and two right hooks. He panted heavily, sweat dripping down his face. He threw off his gloves and sat down on a bench nearby. Removing his tank top, he took a towel and wiped the sweat off of his shoulders and chest. Most of the guys shaved their chests but Adam didn’t. Opting to leave his chest hair, both out of laziness and he really didn’t see the need.

Looking at the clock Adam realized he hadn’t really been there that long. Although it felt like he had been there for hours, maybe he just wasn’t feeling it tonight. Normally he didn’t really care for anything outside of his own life, but those killings. He felt like he couldn’t just stand around while some bastard went around killing students who didn’t deserve it. Sighing, he removed his earphones and stopped his music. Perhaps he should go see if they were serious about finding the killer. There’d probably be plenty of people there who could handle it, but he should go... just to see.

A shower and a change of clothes later and Adam made his way out of the gym. “Calling’ it quits already?” He heard Jim call out from a cross the gym. “Yeah, I got homework.” Adam spun around while walking and shrugged like it could be helped. “Well, that left hook is looking good! See you tomorrow!” Jim called back as Adam gave him a thumbs up and pushed through the doors with his back.

-

The Delta Chi house was already buzzing with student party goers as Adam arrived. He grimaced as he pulled up on his motorcycle. Swinging a leg over and off the bike, he pulled his helmet off and hung it on the handlebar. Students already were spilling out into the front yard and the music boomed. Where the fuck was David in all this? Adam pushed his way into the frat house. He felt completely out of place in the crowd. Finding a nice open spot he scanned the area. No sign of his friend. Suddenly an arm was swung around his shoulders as someone leaned on him. Looking over, like someone had just disrespected his mother, Adam saw that it was David. He seemed somewhat inebriated already, he had a red cup in his other hand. “Bruh, you gonna drink?” He asked over the music. “No, I’m good dude.” Adam shook his head. “Dude, I was just talking to some sorority girls over there and I think they’re into me.” David bragged. “Alright.” Adam replied. “So are we going out and looking for this guy or what?” He asked David. “They said they’d get everyone after it got dark.”

Just then the music quieted and the house was filled with chanting. Adam and David pushed into the main room where the chanting was. In there was Chris Bell and four of his frat brothers. “How many Yankees were there??” Chris booms. “Ten thousand!” Everyone else calls back. “How many rebels were there??” He shouts. “One!” They shout back. “And what he’d say??”
“Charge!”
Then everyone chanted - “Hidy tidy god almighty who the hell am I? Flim flam by damn I'm a Delta Chi... I'm a Delta Chi, and a hell of a guy; and I don't give a damn. I go to school to break the rules and fail the damn exams. To hell, to hell with dixie, to hell to hell with school; and if you aren't a Delta Chi, the hell the hell with you!”

The whole thing just felt sour to Adam. He didn’t like it, deciding he needed some air he pushed his way outside. It seemed like after the chant Chris began getting together everyone to start going out and looking for the killer. He was obviously trying to hype everyone up and it left a sour taste in Adam’s mouth. He didn’t care to be part of the group but it seemed like David was just sucking it all up, perhaps all for some girls. Adam just waited outside till everyone was ready to go.