The Forsaken

Chapter 2: The Boy with Orange Eyes

Kayla wasn't out of classes by the time I returned to my dorm, so I immediately got in the shower to calm myself down. The hot water from the shower pelted my skin in a steady rhythm- inviting me as my professor's words replayed in my mind.

"I hope you are listening, Asura, because this information could be  very  important to you later..."

It was as if he was preparing me- warning me about something and it sent chills up my spine. I kept my head and pencil down the rest of class and bolted the first chance I got.

“Get yourself together- He was probably just trying to get your attention. A girl not paying attention on the first day? I'd probably try to scare her too.”

My thoughts suddenly subsided as reality set in: I'm freezing.

At some point while I was in my thoughts, the water had gone cold, and I'd been sitting under it for quite some time now. I quickly turned the water off and grabbed the towel I hung up on the wall nearby.

*************************

That second night, I dreamt again, picking up right where my last one ended. The man had his back to me, so I couldn't yet see him, but his voice was like a violin as he spoke. 

"Your playing is beautiful," he said to the woman who was now grabbing her things to leave. 

"I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to play so loud, I just got carried away-."

"Please do not apologize, it is me who should ask for forgiveness. I shouldn't have disturbed your playing. I just had to get your name," he explained, stepping closer to the girl and holding out his hand for  her to shake. She was hesitant at first, but slowly placed her hand in his. 

"My name is-"

*********************

Suddenly, my alarm went off, indicating it was the next morning, and I grunted as I turned over.

“Who is she and why do I keep having dreams about her?” I wondered  

When I realized I wasn't going to get any answers, I sighed and began getting ready for my classes. As I packed, I noticed my old composition book hanging from the unzipped part of my suitcase and decided to bring it along.  

“I could use a little writing after my classes today.”

Practically dragging myself, I finally made it to the Philosophy building and came to a slow stop outside of my new classroom. "666" it read and I chuckled at the likelihood. 

When I walked through the doors, my eyes immediately noticed a young man in the back and I could feel my heart beat rapidly in my chest as I looked him over. He was talking to someone and looked uninterested as he spoke. His jet black hair was slightly longer on top, nearly falling into his eyes. When he talked, his jawline tensed and he crossed his arms as he leaned back into his chair. 

Suddenly, as if reading my thoughts, his eyes flashed to mine and I noticed they were a bright shade of orange- unlike anything I had ever seen. I watched him take my appearance in- making his way down my body and back to my face with his mouth open and his eyebrows laced.

“Why does every cute guy look confused when they see me? Am I missing something?” I mumbled quietly.   

I quickly looked away, hoping he didn't notice my long staring and found an empty seat at the front of the classroom.

I couldn't afford any distractions from my studies and, while handsome, he reeked of bad intentions. However, even facing the front, I could feel his eyes burning into the back of my head, tempting me to look at him once more.

"Good morning, everyone!"

A voice rang and what I assumed to be the professor walked in. He was a young-looking man, maybe late twenties, and he wore a bow-tie with his five o' clock shadow. He gave each and every one of us a smile. 

"I'm your professor, Dr. Smith, and I already know what you're thinking - Yes, I'm much younger than your other professors. To be quite transparent, I'm the youngest professor hired at this University, but to me that just makes it better for you all. Being a recent graduate, I understand what it's like to be a student and want to use everything I learned from being on your end, on this end."

He pointed to himself and offered a smile you couldn't help but return.

"With that being said, I always loved when the first day was syllabus day, so that's what today will be. Before we get started, I want everyone to stand up and say your name and your major. I'm very good with names, so this will help me get to associate a name with a face."

He turned to me since I was the first student in the row.

"Let's start with you!"

I let out a small sigh and stood up. 

"My name is Asura and I'm an English major," I said trying to sit back down, but he intercepted with another question.

"An English major? Well, what brings you into my class?"

"Well," I began "to see if there's any other area that interests me before I graduate, I guess."

He threw back his head and chuckled.

"Watch out, by the end I may convince you to change your major. That's the beauty of this class, in my opinion."

"Let's move on to you," he followed, pointing at the girl beside me.

I quickly sat back down and waited anxiously for them to get to the stranger at the back. My heart beat in my chest at the thought of his orange eyes and when he was called on, those were the same eyes that held my gaze.

"My name is Daemon," he soothed with a voice as rough as sandpaper, but as he spoke he didn't take his eyes off me.

"I'm an decided major, but figured I'd check this class out- a similar situation to Asura, really," he said with a smirk as if there was an inside joke between us, but all of the girls in the class giggled anyway. 

"Two people to convert- excellent! Welcome to the class, Daemon, and if that's everyone, let's go ahead and follow along on the syllabus."

The professor began reading the rules and objectives for the class and I turned my body toward the front. The entire class went by quickly, but I felt an uneasy feeling throughout, as it someone was watching me.

"Remember to bring your textbook for next class- you're going to need it!" He announced as we all shuffled to pack up our things at the end of class. Without any hesitation, I left the classroom and headed for my final class of the morning, trying to figure all about the mysterious man in the back.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

"I had no idea you'd be in this class!"

Kayla waved me over and I couldn't help but to smile.

“At least I know one person here,” I laughed as I took the open seat to her right.

"So... how have your first couple of days been?" She whispered excitedly, a wide grin spread across her face.

"They've been good. They seem like good classes, at least. Yours?"

"Ugh, don't get me started," she rolled her eyes, "Homework on the second day already, like, really? It's ridiculous."

She shook her head and as if on cue, the professor began her introduction. Similarly to my other classes, she went over the syllabus and gave us an early dismissal, while my mind wandered elsewhere. 

First, I thought of the man and woman in my dreams and how familiar they seemed to me. Then, I thought of Nithael and his contagious smile that a part of me wanted to see again, but my thoughts were interrupted with a raspy voice saying my name, sending goosebumps up my skin. 

"Asura..."

Kayla would occasionally snap to bring me out of it and I would shake my head to knock the thoughts out of my head, but eventually they would just wander back. I was so lost in thought that I didn't even notice the professor end class.

"Asura? Asura, class is over, c'mon," Kayla said, nudging my shoulder and I immediately began packing my things. "Somewhere to be?"

My face lit up as I slung my backpack over my shoulder and nodded.

"Yep, I'm going to take some time and write out by the trees since all of my classes are over."

She smiled back at me and I followed her out the door.

"You must be pretty excited considering you were checked out most of class. Anyway, I'm headed to my next class, but I'll see you back in the dorm later,"  she waved and turned down the hall as I continued out the doors and towards my own personal freedom.

After walking around a few minutes, I noticed a small bench under a shady area and decided that was the perfect place for writing inspiration. I set my writing supplies down and watched as the people on campus passed by each other silently, not giving me so much as a glance. The Seattle Freeze they called it and I was beginning to like the rainy city a little bit more.

I was just finishing the chapter I was working on when the sun that shone through the trees was blocked by a tall figure.

"So you like to write, do you, Asura?" a voice soothed.

I looked up from my composition book to meet the eyes of my Philosophy professor. Quickly shutting it and smiling at my superior, I explained my interest. "Yes, I do! It's my major, actually, so I just figured I'd spend the day thinking about what to write."

He slightly chuckled and stared off into the distance. "Thinking: the talking of the soul with itself. Do you know who said that?"

As he looked back at me, I shook my head in curious response. 

"Plato. He was both an author and a philosopher. I hope to see big things from you as well. "

His eyes had a slight twinkle to them just before he nodded me goodbye. My eyes couldn't help but follow him as he walked along the sidewalk towards the Social Sciences building. He was certainly the most attractive professor I had ever come across, but there was something so normal about him that drew me in. The way he talked to me was soothing, yet clearly intelligent; a man who has certainly aged well- like a fine wine.

After it started getting a bit darker, I decided to head back to the dorm room. Kayla was already in bed painting her toenails a scarlet red and by the time I made myself comfortable, she had already struck up a conversation.

"So, anyone you have an interest in so far?"

She wiggled her eyebrows at me before focusing back on her big toe. I felt my face turn a slight red as I thought about who was worth mentioning. "Not really," I shrugged.

She looked up at me and pursed her lips. "Your red face says otherwise."

“Damn, you’re good,” I smiled before sighing.

"Do you know a Nithael?"

She responded by rolling her eyes. "Our neighbor? Of course I know him, he's the most vanilla guy on campus. Don't get me wrong, he's a great guy, like a brother, but no girl wants to sleep with their brother." Her eyes flashed at me and she smirked, "Unless you do?"

My face blushed bright and I quickly shook my head. "It's not like that, he just seems different from all other guys I've met. Other men are so arrogant and sleazy and he just seemed like a change of pace, that's all."

She placed the lid on the nail polish and thought a moment. "Honestly, now thinking about it, he probably would make a great boyfriend. I think you should go for it!" She smiled and began to blow on her freshly painted toes.

"Just friends," I muttered to myself and thought about asking her about one more. "Do you happen to know a Daemon? I don't know his last name, but he's in my Phil-"

She stopped blowing and her eyes flashed up at me. "Please, for the love of God, don't tell me you're talking about Daemon Reficul."

My throat went dry when I quietly reiterated I wasn't sure of his last name.

"Tattoos from the neck down? Orange eyes?" she asked quickly and I nodded in recognition. She turned back to her toes and jumped off the bed, putting away her accessories. Her ominous demeanor gave me goosebumps and my heart pounded at the endless possibilities.

She sat on my bed and leaned close to me, speaking in a whisper. "Do you believe in evil?"

I swallowed hard and shook my head, causing her to lean away and  stare at the floor.

"Well, the story here at UW is that those who get close to him..." She looked back at me and whispered, "Die."

My breath had stopped in my chest and seconds passed before Kayla spoke again.

"There's a story about this guy named Ethan, a senior when I was only a sophomore, who was the nicest guy around- I mean, he gave Nithael a run for his money. Over time, he started hanging out with Daemon and he started acting different. Pushing people in the hallways, interrupting professors during class, and then one day, he wasn't in class at all. The RAs went to go check on him in his room and he was..." She trailed off, leaving me to imagine the situation.

"Just because someone changed over time doesn't necessarily mean it's his fault though, right?"

She looked at me a moment and shrugged before going back over to her bed and setting her alarm. "I suppose you're right." She trailed her eyes back to mine and I noticed they had a twinge of worry- as if she truly believed that story. "Just... be careful."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I had a hard time sleeping after hearing that chilling story that had taken place and stared at the ceiling with concern. Kayla was softly snoring from the other side of the room, interrupting every though I had, until I decided to go in the hallway to get some silence. Quietly, I slid my socks on and grabbed my notebook to write my thoughts in before slipping out into the hallway.

"Couldn't sleep?"

My eyes widened and I froze, still facing the door, before slowly turning to my left and seeing Nithael. He was leaning up against the door beside mine and had his arms wrapped around his knees. 

"You scared me!... But no, I couldn't," I answered. He closed his eyes and sighed in response, before looking back up at me.

"Asura, right?"

I nodded and he motioned at the empty space beside him before closing his eyes again. "You can sit if you'd like; there's not really any other place to go considering the RAs check to be sure everyone's in their dorm. Here, you can hear them coming and slide into your room if necessary."

I stood there motionless for a second weighing out my options: A snoring Kayla or a late night conversation with apparently one of the nicest guys here.

"Are you unable to sleep often?" I asked, sitting down and leaning up against my door. My eyes looked over to him and I noticed he still had his eyes closed. As if seizing the opportunity, my eyes began to scan him all over and note all of his features. His freshly shaven and chiseled jawline caught my eye first. Then, I began to make my way to his blonde hair, noticing how restlessly curly it was, as if matching his sleepless situation. 

When he opened his eyes, I quickly looked away and tried to focus my eyes on the carpet underneath us. "I wouldn't say often, but I certainly have my days. Tonight just happens to be one of them."

Silence filled the empty space between us until I decided to make conversation. "The other day you said I looked familiar. Did you ever figure out who you thought I was?"

His eyes met mine as if trying to be reminded of what I looked like until he shook his head and chuckled. "It was a long time ago," he said looking down, but I could tell he remembered it as if it was yesterday. "I was engaged."

My eyes widened in shock as my mouth dropped open. "You were engaged? What happened?"

He closed his eyes again and took a moment before answering, as if trying to repress emotions. "Um, she left, the day before our wedding actually. When I walked in to her room, all of her stuff was there, but she had left, leaving only a note behind." He chuckled to himself. "I still have it, actually."

We sat in silence until he spoke again. 

"I tried to find her for awhile, searching every city and state, asking anyone I came across if they had seen her, but to no avail. Finally, it hit me that she probably didn't want to be found, so I had to give her up for good."

I cleared my throat and tried to find the right words. "I'm sorry to hear that. It must've been a very serious reason to leave someone like you behind, that's for sure."

He let out a dry laugh and met my eyes. "I appreciate that," he said before his eyebrows began to fold together slowly.  "It's just... you look so much like her..."

Finally, his eyes trailed to my notebook and he nodded to it to change the subject. "You write?"

At first I was confused, but my eyes trailed to where he was looking and I laughed at myself for the confusion.  "Occasionally," I said, slowly pushing it underneath the door, so he wouldn't ask to read it.

"Are you any good?"

I thought a moment and joked, "Definitely not as good as you are at painting."

The rough tension was met with laughter and I couldn't help but smile wider; even though I wasn't getting the silence I anticipated. "Ah, so they say. Well, I'd certainly hope so considering I've had lots and lots of practice."

"What got you into it?" I asked curiously. 

"My father loved paintings. Wall to wall and even on the ceiling were murals of angels that caught my fascination as a child. Something about the paintings made me feel safe in a way, so I decided I wanted to learn how to recreate them to give others the same feeling I had."

Suddenly, his relaxed expression tensed and he laced his eyebrows together. "Did you hear that?"

Before I could respond, the elevator let out a slight "ding" to indicate someone was about to join and he quickly jumped to his feet. "RA," he said, offering a hand to lift me up and I obliged. I noticed how soft his palms were, but it only lasted a second as he opened my door and ushered me in. 

"Quickly, go, but..." his eyes searched mine for his next words. "I really enjoyed speaking with you, Asura."

Quickly, he closed the door behind me, leaving me in the darkness alone. I could hardly hear Kayla's snoring over my own heartbeat and mindlessly slid into bed, replaying the events in my head. Images of Nithael, his background story, his last words circled in my head and it wasn't long before I joined Kayla in sleep.