Chapter 8
Gabriel
11:59
This is one of the hardest trials the lord has placed in my way. Never night of peace from those girls upstairs. At Least one of them will stomp around. But I can withstand it and I have enough faith. I need to concentrate.
An ear-piercing scream.
"What in god's name" I say standing up
I brush off my pants then adjust my glasses. This is too much I have to go say something. How am I supposed to pray while these people are hollering and carrying on like animals. I grab my flashlight and leave my room.
I hate the dark, a fear I've never fully dealt with. So I shine the light left then right before moving. I don't doubt it could be a prank. Lure me outside just to scare me into a seizure.
Halfway to the elevator I stop realizing my stupidity. The power is out. So I turn around. The stairs are on the opposite end of the hallway. My light shines on a large lump. I almost missed it.
As I get closer I can see it's a person. A man bare chest in the fetal position trembling.
"Hey! Are you alright" I yell from a few feet away?
When they don't answer I slowly get closer. I can hear them gasping trying to breath. I can't hesitate and dive to the floor next to him. Rolling him on his back his skin is ice-cold. I know him and pause. It's Xavier we have theology together. He's clutching his throat.
"Calm down I got you" I say
I pull his hands away and pry open his mouth. It's too dark but I think I see something. So I shine the flashlight in his mouth and something moves. I fall backwards
"What!" is all I can yell.
Xavier is still gasping for air. I must be trippin, so I get back over him. I take the cross from my neck and place it on his chest.
"Calm down I'm going to get it out" I tell him.
I put the flashlight in my teeth and tilt his head back. I pry his mouth open again. I see what looks like a hairball at the back of his mouth. Carefully I reach in with three fingers. It is hair, warm and a thick wad. I pull it out and toss away. Xavier starts breathing steadily.
"Are you alright? I ask
He sighs and his eyes roll backwards. I touch his chest and he isn't breathing. So I start compressions. After the third my hands are burning. I look and a cross is burnt on my palm. On his chest my stainless steel cross is melting.
"What in…."
I don't get to finish the statement. Xavier's mouth opens letting a black claw shoot out, grabbing me by the face. I feel my back hit something hard. Then it pulls down towards his jaws.