An Abuse of Power

I put the tray on the table and sat. I’d arrived quite late, the cafeteria had already started to empty. I shovelled bland food into my mouth feeling a little let down that this was going to be what I’d be eating for the next four years.

Looking up, my gaze caught that of a blond girl on the table next to mine. She smiled awkwardly, which fluttered the butterflies that suddenly occupied my stomach. A cold sweat gathered and I averted my gaze.

I took another bite and stole a glance back, so did she. The grin on my face must’ve been massive, I did my best to cover it up. She got up from her seat and returned to the counter to buy a dessert. I knew I shouldn’t but I couldn’t help it. I crept over and touched her bag. The visions came fast and quick – her parents were divorced – she lived with her mum – her favourite colour was green – she didn’t like cats but loved dogs. Then I panicked, I saw her hold a gun in her mouth. Silently it went off, painting the wall and clock that read 9 o’clock behind her with blood. Her head wobbled back and forth before she fell from the chair.

Shaking, I turned around and jumped.

“Oh hi!” I said surprised.

“Can I help you with something?” the girl asked.

“Uh yeah,” I stuttered scratching my head, “I just wanted to know if you were doing anything this evening?”

She grinned at me, “I’m free, I’m in Block C – room 251. See you around 8:30?”

“Sure,” I said, gobsmacked how that went.

She picked up her bag and left.

***

I waited until 8:40 before I knocked on her door.

“Hi,” she greeted me, “you know what, I never got your name.”

“Oh yeah, I’m Dave.”

“Sally.”

I entered her dorm room and sat on the bean bag next to the radiator. I looked up at the clock, and breathed heavily when I recognised it.

“Drink?”

“Please.”

She poured whiskey into a plastic cup and passed it to me.

“You don’t seem very unhappy,” I said.

“What a strange thing to say,” she replied cocking her eyebrow, “is that your chat-up line?”

“Oh no, no,” I chuckled.

*8:55pm.*

I stared at her bag and then at her.

“Dave?”

“Huh.”

“I was asking what course you’re on…”

“Sorry, Finance…” I trailed off, my gaze moving to the clock on the wall.

“You’ve never thought about killing yourself have you?” I asked.

“You are very odd.”

“Can I look in your bag? It’s important.”

“Uh, that’s not my bag, that’s my sister’s, she forgot it at lunch.”

My stomach churned.

“Where is she now?”

“She has the room next-door.”

I pulled on the handle of the door that separated the rooms.

“What are you doing.”

But it was too late. The sound of a gun-shot rang out from the room next to us.

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