Click...click...click...
Jack continued pressing the bottom on the remote, idly watching the different channels pop up before changing it again. Nothing really came on during the weekends, surprisingly. Nothing but 'Paid Programming' and other show he didn't enjoy. Sighing, the college student rose from his sofa, making his way to the desk resting against the wall beside his bed. He was already done with finishing most of it in class that day. Unlike his roommate, Jack could get his shit done fast enough to have the rest of the day to do whatever.
He wasn't feeling like playing any video games. Didn't really want to drive out anywhere. Swiping his black hoodie from his chai, Jack slipped it on and and grab led his dorm keys, shoving them in his pocket after closing the door behind him. A nice walk around campus should do the trick. Fresh air usually calmed him, if not, helped him think. Lately he'd been feeling... different. He knew it wasn't his body or college itself. He didn't have a girlfriend to worry about. He just felt different without any explanation. It gave him a headache he was thinking so hard. Jack ripped his temples, pushing the door leading outside with his foot. A gust of wind swept across, slamming the door behind him.
It was around 6PM, the sky was mixed with both orange and blue. The further the sky grew, the darker it got. Curfew, surpassingly, was 12 o'clock midnight. He never really questioned it vocally, but always wondered why it was so late. Usually curfew was around 8PM were he lived.
"Hi Jack!" The male looked up to see one of the girls in his class. She most likely left class, considering she still had her books on her shoulder. Jack half smile and rose his hand to greet her. It was-- oh, what was her name? Jennie! Jennie Smith!
"Hey Jenny. How was class?" Jenny smiled and  nodded her head, adjusting the strap. "It's pretty late, what made you stay so long?" The girls smile lost its brightness before reviving itself.
"Oh... Just a study session. We have finals coming up soon you know. Best to stay on the ball." She giggled before tucking her hair behind her ear. "What are you doing out here anyway? It's gonna storm tonight." Jack shrugged his shoulders eyeing up at the sky, smelling the air for moisture. Yep. It would rain any second.
"Just came out for some fresh air is all. Got done with homework in class n'stuff. Didn't feel like playing video games or watching TV. So I came out here." Nanny nodded her head every so often, showing him that she was listening, and smiled again.
"Hehe, well, you got your air. I gotta go though, I'll see you later!" Before Jack could reply with a goodbye, the girl quickly dashed past him, following the sidewalk up around the side of the dorms. Jack rose his brow curiously, his mind zipping with questions. Only to have them cut off by a drop is rain, then another and another.
"Shit." He muttered, running back to the door to get back inside, not wanting to get too soaked in the rain. Another slam of the door rose up behind him. Jack started shaking his fingers through his hair, sending water droplets everywhere while wiping off his face and jacket. As he made his way back to the dorm Jack began fishing through his pockets for his keys, whistling a random tune while he travels up the two flights of stairs. Listening to his tune echo out in all directions. It was kinda creepy now that he thought about it... Where WAS everyone? It was too quiet for a Friday evening. There was usually people up and about... Maybe lots of student stayed behind for tutoring. Maybe some went home for the weekend. Maybe people are already in bed, or in their dorms. Being very... very quiet.
Jack sighed as he Began unlocking the door, shoving his keys back in his pocket after the door closed behind him.
"Yo Greg! You here, man?" Nothing. No response. Just the sound of rain hitting against windows. "Huh.... guess he's studying too..." That's a first. Jack made his way over to his bed, slumping down to get ready for sleep. He pulled off his hoodie, kicked his shoes off and rolled over to face the wall, not bothering with the covers. He just wanted sleep. Closing his eyes, Jack slowly began dozing off. The rain, practically lulling him to sleep.

"Praise Chernobog, for his bloodstained hands will bring salvation to us all! HE shall bring us closer to everlasting paradise! HE is our lord and savior! Praise Chernobog! Praise Chernobog!"

Jack let out a gut wrenching gasp for air, waking in a cold sweat. His eyes darted from one corner to the another before rising up from his spot. He panted, feeling his hands tremble from the dream he'd just had. Jack looked around his room, relieved that his roommate, Greg was in his bed. Jack could tell he was fast asleep from the dreaded snoring that came out of him. He himself was surprised he could sleep through it. Slowly exhaling through his mouth, Jack rose up from his bed, and staggered to the mini fridge in the other side of the room. His mind was churning with questions. What kind of dream WAS that? He'd never experienced one so.. so real. Grabbing a water bottle from the mini fridge, Jack began gulping down the bottle , not caring if he woke Greg.
Letting out a cold sigh, Jack the now empty water bottle into the recycling bin, now making his way to the bathroom. He stopped in front of the mirror, hands gripping the sides of the sink as he eyed himself. He was pale, eyes border lining bloodshot. Groaning, he let his head hand low, fighting the urge to vomit. "Man... What the fuck..." He muttered, running his hand across his forehead to wipe off more sweat. That's what I get for playing those survival horror games. He thought to himself, slightly smiling as he began brushing off the whole thing. Get it together Jack, it was only a dream. Dreams don't come true. You've just played too much Silent House is all. No big deal. Just go back to sleep and get some decent rest. "Easier said then done..."
That morning Jack felt someone shake him awake.
"Dude, Jack, wake up bro, you've GOT to see this!" Jack let out a tired, irritated groan from over the covers, slowly pulling them down to see what Greg wanted. The blonde grinned and flashed a photo on his phone in Jack's face. "Guess who got laid last night." It was a picture of some girl sitting on his lap, posing for the camera.
".... She looks drunk." Jack muttered sleepily, his hand slowly rubbing the sleepiness from his eyes. Greg blew air from his pursed lips, rolling his eyes as he closed the flip phone.
"You're just jealous."
"Bullshit. I'd rather have a life then get some chick pregnant at college."
"Touché good sir, but fuck you, I use protection."
"Whatever..." Jack began pulling the covers over his head, feeling the weight of his friend rise up off the bed. Good, he could get back to sleep.
"Dude, i had such a weird dream last night." Jack paused when his mind processed the words 'weird dream' and was instantly awake.
"... Really..? Me too... What was it about?" Greg shrugged his shoulders, his fingers flying across the numbers on his cell, forming a text to his girlfriend.
I had a dream where my grandma blew up like a balloon and started chasing me around with a giant fly-swatter." Jack's fear and anxiety dropped. He turned his head to look at his roommate.
".... What the hell dude." Greg laughed after snapping his cell shut.
"I know right?? I fucking hate that hag. Won't surprise me if she completely dislikes me. I broke so much shit at her house when I was a kid." Jack rolled his eyes, fully pulling the covers over his head, wanting to get some more sleep. Greg looked over and rose his brow. "You said you had a dream right? You remember it?" Jack laid there in silence, wanting him to just leave already. The blonde furrowed his brow and began nudging Jack's  back with his foot. "Com on, tell me. I know you're awake."
".... I had a dream about some guy 'preaching' or something."
"And you say MY dream is weird."
"I never said your dream was weird. But it is."
"Anyways, go on." Greg pulled his knees up, resting his arms on top of them as he listened to Jack. Jack sighed and rose up from his warm salvation of sleep.
"There was this guy preaching about some guy named 'Chernobog'. And that he'd lead everyone to paradise with his bloodstained hands. They were dressed in these weird looking robes and had these weird masks." Jack looked over at his friend, watching him give a weirded out look.
".... Bro, you've played WAY too much Silent House." Jack smiled a little and shrugged his shoulders, relieved that his friend had said his thoughts from the night before.
"What can I say? I love horror games."
Jack spent most of the morning studying for finals, wanting to get school-related things out of the way before he enjoyed his weekend. Greg left to meet up with his girlfriend, telling Jack he's back back around 6. It was usually on Sunday's that the two sat down together and played one of the many video games they had until it was time for bed. Sighing, he turned the last page over in his note packet, memorizing his handwriting slowly. Suddenly, a knock at the door tore him from his studying. Jack turned his head and eyes the door, then rose up from his desk to answer it. Pulling it open, Jack was surprised to see Jenny standing in front of the door. "Oh... Hi Jenny." Jenny smiled and waved.
"Hi Jack! What are you doing inside on a Saturday?" Jack looked back to his desk before returning to the girl.
"I'm getting my studying done early so I can enjoy the rest of the day with relaxation." Jenny nodded her head understandingly and placed her hands on her hips.
"Well, I'm sure you've done enough studying, you should come outside. Everyone's doing something today." Jack mentally sighed in relief. Good, so people WERE her today.
"I'll come out when I'm done. I guess..." Jenny giggled and nodded again.
"Hehe, okay~! See you later!" And just like that, the student was off in a flash. Jack smiled a little before closing the door, making his way back to his desk. He sat down, and began rereading the page of notes, keeping everything fresh on his mind.
Then it hit him. How did Jenny know we're his dorm room was..? They never really talked to each other, let alone shared dorm room numbers. It kinda gave him a creepy feeling at first. But then his realist side thought otherwise. Maybe she saw you come into this room once without you noticing. Maybe Greg had told her what room he lived in, and it just so happened that Greg and he shared rooms. Shaking his head in frustration, Jack rubbed his temples.
"You're just over analyzing everything Jack. No need to fret over pointless stuff." He said to himself, running his fingers through his hair. Maybe he was done studying for the day. Again, he swiped up his hoodie off the chair and slipped it on, along with his shoes before heading outside. When he got to the bottom of the stairs, he felt himself breath another sigh of relief when he saw how many students were up and about. Glad to know he wasn't going completely crazy.
He watched as some people played ball, tossing either a football or baseball. Girls were huddled I groups outside, talking about lord knows what, not the he cared. He was just happy to see people. Just then, a hand crept over his shoulder. Jack looked back to see it was none other than Jenny. Again. "O-oh, hey Jenny." The girl smiled.
"Hehe, you're outside of that dark room! Took my advice and came out, eh?" Jack smiled nervously, giving a nod or two. "You should hang out with me and my friends. We're going for a walk in the woods." Jack rose a questioning brow.
"For what?" Jenny laughed.
"We're just hanging out at our place. Come on, don't be a wuss." Jack felt a little hesitant at first, but he slowly came around and agreed to follow. Jenny grabbed him by the hand and began tugging him along, making sure he was close. "Hooray! Off to the cave!"
"The cave?" Jack asked, watching the forest grow bigger with every step.
"Our hangout silly! Sarah found it at the beginning of the year, so we decided to make it a hangout area for us."
"Us?" Jack asked again, looking back over his shoulder watching the school slowly get consumed by trees.
"Me, Sarah, Bobby, Fred, and Luna. You ask a lot of questions." Jack couldn't help but let out a nervous laugh.
"Sorry, I don't mean to. I've been having a rough weekend is all." Jenny looked back to him and smiled.
"It's okay! We all have our days!"
As minutes passed, the two walked around what seemed like an invisible path that only Jenny could see. Jack couldn't help but begin to worry. He was about to open his mouth to ask another question, until the girl released his hand, punching her fists in the air. "We're here~!" She sang, running ahead of Jack. He looked up to see a rather large cave next to a babbling brook. He watched as two girls and boys appeared from inside it, greeting Jenny happily -- until they saw Jack. Their smiles faded and they began leaning in to Jenny, whispering while keeping their eye on him. Jack felt a little nervous, feeling as if he shouldn't be there at all and that he should be back at his dorm room playing Silent House. But, Jenny looked back as well, gesturing for him to come forward as if it was okay. Jack took a deep breath before making his way over, eyeing over everyone but Jenny. All of them still didn't look pleased, despite their forced smiles.
"Uh... hey." Jack rose his hand, giving them a small wave. Sarah eyed him over before crossing her arms.
"Hi." She said bluntly.
"Hey." Said Bobby and Luna.
"Sup?" Fred smiled, shoving his hands in his pockets.
"What's he doing here Jen? I thought it was just gonna be you." Jenny rolled her eyes at Sarah's statement and wrapped an arm around Jack, using her free hand to pat him on the chest.
"I thought it would be cool if you guys met Jack. He's a really cool guy, honest!" Fred walked over to Jack and began leading him inside the cave, rambling on about what kind of video games he liked. Leaving the group outside. Sarah shot daggers years Jenny. Jenny gave a stink eye back.
"What the hell do you think you're doing Jen?? You can't let outsiders into--"
"He's not going to find anything out. Be nice for a change Sarah." Sarah glared, then grumbled under her breath, following after Fred. Luna and Bobby looked at one another before going in as well.
The group settled inside, everyone huddled around a fire in a circle. Jack sat in between Jenny and Fred while the others completed their smell circle. Jack felt uncomfortable, especially with Sarah giving him dirty looks every so often. But surprisingly, the evening wasn't all too bad. Everyone got to know a bit more about him, asking questions and talking about what they enjoyed doing, talking about school and exams. Jack looked around the cave as they spoke. It was cool inside. They had tables and desks, places were they set up books. They had a compartment for food. It really was like a place to hang out. I guess I was worried about nothing, Jack thought, smiling at the comment Fred made. There was a sudden clap of thunder from the distance, causing the group to look at the entrance of the cave.
"ANOTHER storm?" Sarah complained, raising up with a book bag over her shoulder. "I'm leaving, last thing I want to do is get caught in the storm. Bye." Sarah turned heel and ran over to her bike resting up against a tree, and rode off back to the school. Luna and Bobby both rose up together.
"We don't want to get wet either... We'll catch you guys later, okay?" Luna said smiling over at Jack and the others. The duo both pulled their bags off the ground, running off to try and beat the storm. Fred didn't move.
"Im gonna stay here for a bit. There's some things I need to get back here. You guys can go on ahead if you want." Jack looked to Jenny before getting off his stool.
" yeah, I'm gonna get back too. Greg is probably back and wondering were I am." Jenny smiled up at him and nodded.
"Okay! I'm gonna help Fred, just follow the same path back to the school. I'll see you later Jack." Jack smiled and waved goodbye to the two, he too making his way out of the cave and into the forest. It shouldn't be too hard to get back, if he followed Luna and Bobby from afar.
An hour passed. Jack began unlocking his dorm door with his keys, opening up the door to find Greg on his laptop on the sofa. Greg looked up and smiled.
"Yo, Jack. Where've you been?" He asked, surprised that Jack had stepped out altogether.
"I was invited to come look at some 'secret base' in the forest behind the school." He replied, closing the door behind him while he began kicking off his shoes. Greg rose a brow, closing his laptop.
"Oh really? Who invited you?"
"You know that Jenny girl in out first period class?" Greg's smile slowly faded.
"Dude, she's weird..." Jack furrowed his brow in confusion.
"What do you mean she's weird? Weird like how?" Greg looked away nervously before answering.
"You know what kind of shit she reads? She has like, books upon books about these freaky-ass cults. I shit you not." Jack rolled his eyes before walking over to his dresser. "Dude, I'm serious! You probably shouldn't hang out with her. People who read that stuff are messed up in the head."
"Yeah yeah, whatever." Jack replied, rummaging through his cloths. "I'm gonna take a shower. We have another storm coming." Greg blinked and looked back at their window.
"Aw man, really? I was going to go out with Gabby tonight..." He moaned sadly, watching the clouds churn into a deep gray. Jack chuckled at his friend before going to the shower.

"Jack. Jack wake up! Wake up Jack!" Jack felt Greg shake him, groaning in anger.
"Ugh, what?? What is it??" He asked, looking up to a nervous Greg. Greg looked over to the window.
"Dude, someone is out in the Forest lighting fires." Jack rubbed his eyes.
"Do what?"
"Someone, is outside, lighting fires. Look!" Greg pulled him out of his bed and pointed out towards the Forrest. Jack sighed, still rubbing his eyes before looking out the window. To his surprise, there was a fire lit. But it was far back into the woods. Almost around the area were Jenny's 'secret base' was.
"Well I'll be damned... There is a fire." He muttered, noticing the storm had stopped. "What time is it?"
"2am."
"We should go check it out. That looks like it's were their little hideout is." Greg gave him a look of 'your out of your fucking mind'. "What? I'm sure there's a perfectly good explanation why someone's out there lighting fires."
"Yeah, for cults!" Jack shot him a look.
"Dude, get over yourself. There is NO cult!"
"I call bullshit. I'm not going." Jack smirked.
"You chicken?" He asked, watching Greg get flustered.
"Dude, seriously, don't go. Last thing you want is to get into trouble..." Jack just rolled his eyes.
"Whatever, I'm going to check it out. If there's anything wrong, I'll report it to the headmaster." Jack changed out of his pajamas, dressing in jeans, a blue shirt, and his black hoodie and shoes. Pulling out their emergency flash lights from the desk drawer, Jack walked over to the door. "I'll see you in a bit." He called out, watching Greg shake his head.
"Curiosity killed the cat man, killed it!" He called back, watching the door close.
Jack pulled his hoodie up over his head and began making his way down the stairs. It was probably just Jenny and her friend hanging out at their spot late at night. I mean, loads of people do that, right? The second he walked outside, Jack felt the air shift from normal to damp and chilly. He began making his way towards the forest, using