It was a normal afternoon and I was on my way to go to my five o’clock class. The University where I attend was not that far from the small apartment room where I stay. I tend to go there by foot since the breeze feels good on the way. 

Walking is also a nice exercise to get rid of negativity. The town is relatively quiet if compared to a city but is livelier than most of the other towns because the University here is relatively well known. 

“Aahhhhh...” I gave out a satisfying yawn. 

I was feeling a little drowsy because I was not able to sleep last night due to a nightmare. I did some strength exercises to calm down but I was still not able to doze off after.

Pam pam pam pam pam pampapaaaaam!

The music when you get an item in my favourite RPG game was played by my phone since I set it as my ringtone. I grabbed my phone from my pocket to see who it might be. I cannot think of someone aside from my parents sending me a message.

“Seriously?” I whispered after the sight of something horrifying. 

It was a message from the Student Affairs saying there was an accident in the University and classes will be postponed until further notice. Additionally, students are forbidden to go inside the school premises for the time being.

I am good with classes being cancelled and all since I will have more time to play some games. I was still not able to find the murderer in Shotgun Denial 3 so any additional free time is appreciated. My concern is why did they have to send the message after I already left home? 

It really is a huge bummer when you are already set on doing something then an event occurs that makes you unable to do what you set out to do. It just kills the momentum which dampens the mood.

All I was able to do was sigh. Since classes were cancelled, I was about to turn around to head home when I noticed that there was a small commotion nearby.

“You! You must know something about demons! Please tell me you know something!” A man with black bags under his eyes, and wearing a large coat was yelling at a woman.

“Sorry sir, but I really do not know what you are talking about...” The woman tried to reply calmly but her terror was not hidden in her eyes.

“Think about it more! You got to know something!” The man insisted.

I better get away from here fast before I get involved with that guy. He looked like either he was mentally ill or high on some illegal substance. I did not want to have anything to do with either so I hope he did not notice me. I turned around and started walking back home.

“You there!” The man called out from a distance, I had a feeling that I was the one being addressed but I kept on walking. “Hey! Red headed guy in a green and brown jacket!”

Damn it, he really was calling me. I continued on as if I did not hear him at all. Maybe he will be able to find someone else and bug them instead if I ignore him.

“Hey, I’m talking to you.” The man grabbed me by the shoulder.

My heart just skipped a beat and I was not able to breathe for a second. How did he get to me that fast? From the sound of his voice earlier, I was sure there was a fair amount of distance between us. 

His hand gripped on my shoulder tightly. My eyes widened as I saw a black tattoo with a sprouting plant like pattern at the back of his hand. Damn it, the situation is just getting worse and worse.

“I am sorry sir. I did not know that I was the one you were talking to.” I replied with a smile as I turned to face him. “I am just a University student, sir. I do not sell drugs or anything that may get me in danger.”

“I am not a damned drug addict!” the man yelled at me in anger. 

As he was already near me, he did not seem like he was high or mentally disabled. It felt like he was more like a sane man but with a more than horrible attitude. 

“You must have a demon inside of you! I can sense one!” He pointed at me as he continued yelling.

“Sorry sir, I do not think it is right to call someone you just met evil.” I replied with a smile.

I made sure to not let him notice my fear and nervousness. I was afraid he might try to eat me alive if he did.

“Damn you! Stop feigning ignorance! I can sense it! You had the same curse as me!” 

The man continued talking with a very loud voice when he suddenly stopped. He fell to his knees as he groaned. His right hand was clutching his face as if he was in terrible pain. 

 “Are you alright sir?” I asked.

“Please, you got to help me! I need to get rid of this thing!” 

His voice which was previously too loud for the ears became shaky. The white of his eyes suddenly turned black while the iris color became dark blue. 

“I am losing control... I don’t want to die yet! I can’t die yet!” He added.

I became sure of what I should do next the moment that I saw the way his eyes changed. I turned around quickly and ran at full pace. It would be bad if he will be somehow be able to follow me to my room so I just ran aimlessly while turning to every corner I see.

I kept on running despite the bad taste in my mouth that it left. I was well aware of his situation, I am in the same boat but it was not as if there was anything I can do. I do not want get involved with any them again.

If there is a chance that I can be excluded from all this chaos then I’ll gladly take it. I looked back but it did not seem like he was chasing me. As a precaution, I just kept on running despite being actually clueless as to where I was.

“Haaaaa haaaaa.” I was out of breath hence I had no choice but to stop. 

I used my hand as a support and leaned on a nearby tree. I did not know that there was a place like this in the area. I arrived in a forest, a place with nothing but plants, and bugs, and trees. The place was painted in orange due to the setting sun. 

I might have been able to tread a few kilometres. I guess it is good to run as a work out once in a while since I mainly do strength exercises. The problem was it was disgusting to feel all so hot and sweaty while I was still in casual attire. 

I was just raring to go home and take a shower. I also ran with the extra weight of my sling bag and my right shoulder felt numb as a result. I put down my bag to ground for a minute when I saw...

“Damn it!” I exclaimed. 

Why did I not notice at all? I was wearing my brand new leather shoes all along! I twisted my ankle and toes a bit and the shoes already felt soft. The stiff hard elegance was already non-existent. 

The top middle part was also filled with wrinkles and creases. It already looked more worn out than its predecessors. I only brought new ones because the soles of my last pair already gave off. It was quite frustrating to have my current pair be made into this state in just a day. Damn it!

 “Seriously?” I heard the rustling of leaves and the sound of footsteps coming towards my direction at a fast speed. 

I was so irritated that I completely forgot that I was trying to escape from someone! That was ridiculous, to think that he was chasing after me all this time! I hid myself beside a large tree and peeked back to confirm if it was really him.

It was indeed the same guy but his appearance slightly changed. Aside from his eyes, his face had violet spike like patterns in his cheek and his forehead. His mouth was opened widely as a large amount of saliva dripped from it. 

He was heading straight towards my location. Since he already knew where I was hiding, I just came out from behind the tree. 

“Hey buddy! What a coincidence! Are you here to go sight-seeing in this forest too?”I greeted him with a smile. 

I tried to talk to him but he just kept on running towards me, it seemed as if he did not hear me at all. 

“I am sorry about earlier, I just suddenly had the urge to r-“ 

“Graaaaagh!” He screamed as he punched me right in the face before I even finished talking.

It felt as if my skull was going to be detached from my body as I got sent to the air flying. It was as if a force was pulling my head and my body had no choice but to follow it. I then landed on a tree on my back. Damn... it hurt a lot. How come characters in games can quickly stand up after taking such a hit?

My cheek felt both stinging and burning sensations at the same time. It throbbed as if I had another heart inserted through it. My neck and back were also aching due to the few seconds of sudden flight and landing.

“Aaaaah...” I groaned. 

Merely opening my mouth just made my cheek hurt even more. My body did not feel so good. I was still perfectly conscious but it was hard for me to get up.

I looked at him and he was there, standing still while looking down on me. The more I looked at his eyes, the more certain I got that he has gone berserk. Reason, even how logical it may be, will no longer go through in his head. 

His body was no longer able to tolerate the presence of the demon inside that the brain was corrupted by the evil presence, hence going berserk.

He suddenly jumped and about to stomp at my face but I was able to dodge it by forcing my body to roll sideward.

Once one goes berserk, the only cure waiting for you is death. I believe that this fact is already well known to everyone who suffered the same fate as I, and him.

“Graaaaaaaagh!” The man roared, trying to establish its dominance as I tried to stand up.

Despite my reluctance to be involved in incidents like this, I did not think I have another choice. I failed to outrun him after all. He asked for my help, I guess I have to give it to him. It was just sad that the only assistance that I can offer him was to give an end to his suffering. 

“Come at me!” 

I yelled as I put my right foot forward, arched my back, and raised my arms; ready for a fist fight.