"But what exactly let you think that I would help you out? I mean, why would I? Being a gentleman, I helped you last night as well."
He circled her. "And what I got? Just unkindness in return."
Crescent's lips twitched automatically. What kind of kindness he needed? She gave him a side eye and he noticed it too.
"Ch! What are you even thinking? Such a dirty mind!"
Crescent tilted her face, giving him a blank look. As if he did not say it with that intention!
"I am a gentleman. I don't ask for those things." He said. "Well, unless..." He winked, "the other party is too willing."
"I am willing to get my hands dirty by killing you. Is that allowed too?"
"I would like you to give it a chance as well."
But something changed in a flash. The man turned his neck to the other side. It was too sudden that even Crescent felt something different.
She followed his gaze and it was a plain wall. There was nothing there but he kept staring right at it.
"What's up with you?" She asked dubiously.
The man looked back at her, that curve reappearing. However, this time, it looked rather forced. "It's about to be morning. Remember, this time I would help for something in return. I don't give free favours."
"As long as it's not that!" Crescent warned him. She would rather be found in the morning by that old lady than do him 'that' kind of favour.
That man chuckled, "Let's go, then."
He took a step closer, held her by the waist and before she could even react, his pupils constricted, bewitching her mind in an instant, "We got out by emergency stairs at the back of racks." He told her, fitting the words right into her mind.
And the next moment, they vanished into the air. Standing right outside the girl's dormitory, he stabilized her on the ground.
It took a few seconds for Crescent to gain control over her senses.
She looked at the building, not finding it strange that she was already there. According to the memories that followed, they walked right here.
"See you later, darling."
Crescent didn't pay him any heed and walked right into the dormitory. Behind, the man once more vanished into the air.
-
In the morning, as Crescent walked with Misty towards the building where their classes were held, they came across a crowd.
Something had happened!
This was the first thought that struck Crescent as she found police cars lined up there, and an entire area was prohibited.
Misty was equally confused as her. They walked to that place, finding their way between the people and their eyes went to the red spot.
Even a fool could tell that it was blood!
Misty gasped beside her and so did she. The blood had dried up which meant it had been quite a while.
"Oh my goodness! It was Scarlett!" a girl shrieked behind them.
They turned and there was a group of friends talking amongst themselves.
"Excuse me? What happened?" Misty approached them.
"A girl was found dead here in the early morning. Her neck was completely bit off by some wild animal."
Crescent suddenly recalled the feeling she had last night. She stared at the place and realised that it was right this one. A shiver went down her spine.
It could have been even her!
"But how did the wild animal enter the premises?" Misty asked as they entered the building. "I have stalked even the deaths that occurred here. But none of the deaths ever mentioned the reason being any wild animal."
Crescent pursued her lips. The university was attached right to a very deep forest. It shouldn't be entirely impossible.
However, keeping the huge walls constructed around the university in mind, it shouldn't have occurred. Unless...a possibility dawned on her.
The wall behind the university was broken.
Crescent wondered if she should talk about it or not. It was her only way out of here, but it would be at the cost of the safety of all the other students here.
"Alright, bye. I'll see you later." Misty bid her bye, and Crescent took stairs to go to her class. The classes of the history students took on the fifth floor were much to the disliking of several students.
As she had reached her class, Crescent came across another crowd.
Was today the day of the crowds?
For this time, she ignored it as it was around the notice board. Must be something related to the change in schedule or exams. She took up the same seat as she did in the previous class.
And to her dismay, the seat beside was taken up by the same person from yesterday.
"Hey!"
Crescent put up a smile and then went to ignore him. He tried hard, very hard, to strike up a conversation with her, but nothing worked out until he came up with the next topic.
"The girls outside are really crazy over that Icarus dude."
Her ears perked. "What does that mean?"
Icarus...as in that Icarus?
"You know, that history researcher who has been researching something using the resources of the university?"
"How is it connected to the crowd?"
Did she miss something big?
"That researcher needs assistance from the students. Probably due to the condition from the management." Charlie did not look even a bit pleased by that.
However, Crescent immediately stopped. "I need to make a call." She took out her phone and got out.
The Professor had not come yet so she went to the notice board.
"The University Of Lilac
History Department (Freshman Year),
It is to bring to notice that in a knowledgeable collaboration with the University of Lilac, Icarus, a great history researcher, would like to hire an assistant person to be with him during this entire research period.
The period is three months, from mid-fall to early winter.
Students interested in applying need to submit a research paper of their own positively by XX, XX,2025.
Regards,
Professor Smith."