Hunters: Rise of a Dragon Demon

3. Breaking the rules

Kevin's heart was still racing even after taking deep breaths in a bid to calm himself. But how can he be calm after the strange dream he just had? It felt so real as if it happened just a few moments ago in reality not in a dream. This thought made him wonder if he actually died and was a ghost presently. Then where was his body? That can be it. It was just a dream. No, a nightmare.

The image of Darrin being dead and of Scott in his devilish form kept replaying in his head. Perhaps, he had overthought this hot surprise thing that Scott mentioned and that prompted him into having that dream. Scott can't be that dangerous to the extent that he would set the hostel ablaze just for vengeance, can he? All he needs to do is to calm down and everything will be alright. He assured himself with this thought and laid on his bed. Then his bladder felt full. He had to pee.

Groaning inaudibly, he hopped down from his bed and made his way to the door carefully as the dormitory's light bulb was switched off. As he stepped outside, he stopped as he caught sight of Scott. He walked back in immediately.

Scott was walking through the hallway that housed the two dormitories, A and B, which belonged to grade eight male students, with the common bathroom. Kevin was in B while Scott was in A. Although it was dim, a bulb provided a means of sight.

Kevin peeked his head out, expecting Scott to turn to the door of the bathroom and walk in. Instead, he did the unimaginable and unexpected. His skin turned orange.

Kevin's eyes widened so wide that he thought it would fall out from its socket. Fire-like light, brighter than the light from the bulb appeared on the wall around him. Scott turned the corner that led to the stairs and the fire light gradually went with him.

Kevin leaned his back on the wall, astounded by what he saw. Scott looked exactly the way he looked in his dream. If Scott is not human like he dreamt, should he be expecting a fire? If Scott is not human, then anything else can be possible which includes a fire breaking out in the hostel. His dream will come true.

His mind tried to wrap up the possibility of that happening. Since when did he start having dreams that come true? Never. He should just go back to sleep. But how does one logically explain what he saw? He couldn't help but believe his dream was going to come true.

Oh no, he was going to die. Darrin too will die. They will both die. He shook his head. He can't die. No way. The fire can't burn them if they aren't here. Yes, they have to get out of here even if it means breaking the rules.

"Darrin." Kevin rushed to Darrin's bed and tapped him gently. Darrin didn't move. Kevin tapped a bit harder and Darrin still didn't move.

"Wake up Darrin." He tapped harder annoyed with the act of sleeping beauty (or sleeping handsome?) Darrin was displaying. Was he expecting a kiss before he wakes up?

"Yes mum, I'll wash the dish." He mumbled unconsciously, his eyes still closed as he shifted.

"Wake up." He slapped his cheek.

That jerked him from his sleep. He opened his eyelids and sat up.

"Geez Kev, why are you waking me up in the middle of the night? You know I don't like being woken up from sleep." He complained after yawning and stretching his arms.

"No time to explain. We have to get out of here. Fast."

Darrin yawned again. "Why? What are you saying?"

"Just get up. This is a life or death situation."

"Whoa. Take it easy Kev." Darrin ran his hand on his disheveled black hair. "What do you mean?"

"Um..." Kevin contemplated telling him the truth but wouldn't it sound ridiculous? Darrin will never believe it. He had to lie. An idea popped into his head.

"There is a snake in the hostel."

Darrin's eyes shot open instantly. "Snake?"

Kevin nearly smiled victoriously as he saw the sleepiness on Darrin's face get replaced with perplexity.

"Yes. In fact, they are two. A black mamba and a cobra." Kevin added.

Darrin's eyes widened more. Those two species of snakes were his worst. "Oh my. Shouldn't we alert everyone?"

"I thought of that but maybe we should check it out to see if it's really a snake. I wouldn't want to raise a false alarm."

"Why the both of us? Can't you go on your own?"

"And take the chance of being bitten alone? No, thank you. We go together and maybe, get bitten together."

He glared at Kevin. "Really?"

"Come on we are running out of time." Kevin looked at the door, hoping Scott doesn't come back anytime soon. He moved his mouth closer to Darrin's ear and whispered.

"Or would you like the snake to come in here? Your skin looks attractive and alluring. I'm sure the snakes would like to have a taste of it."

Fear was written on his face. "No no no. Let's go." He stood up.

Kevin smiled. He had been able to convince Darrin to follow him. Now, they just have to sneak out.

They walked out of the dormitory and passed the other dormitory which was dark as their light was switched off. Kevin looked at the dormitory to see if he could spot anyone looking at them but the dormitory was too dark for him to see clearly. They passed the bathroom door and reached the corner that led to the stairs.

Just then, Kevin saw the fire light ascending on the wall, getting brighter. Scott was coming.

Kevin halted. Darrin, who had been following Kevin behind, hit his back due to the sudden stop.

"Why did you stop walking?" He asked.

"Come on." Kevin took his hand and ran quietly to the bathroom whose door was always open. There were five bath stalls arranged in a row.

Kevin took Darrin to the last stall at the end of the wall and they entered it.

"What is going on?" Darrin asked.

"Shhhh." Kevin placed his index finger on his lips. He peeped out his head a bit.

The fire light got brighter. Some of it shone in the bathroom. Then Scott walked past the door still in his inhuman form. Kevin took his head in as Scott walked past and the fire light faded slowly.

"He's gone. Let's go." Kevin said and came out.

"Who was that?" Darrin inquired but his question was ignored.

They turned the corner and descended the stairs stealthily.

Kevin felt happy as he climbed down. They were going to be safe. None of them would die. Even if they broke the rule, they weren't going to die.

They walked past the other dormitories on the first floor and arrived at the passageway leading to the door. The light was switched off, so it was dark.

They walked straight until they reached the door which was locked.

"Ok, where are the snakes?" Darrin asked.

"Outside."

He creased his brows. "Outside? What were you...."

"You'll jump out of the window, then I'll follow." Kevin chimed in.

"No no. No way. I'm not taking that risk. We could get suspended, or worse, expelled." Darrin disagreed.

"I know but think about the lives we would be saving if we identify the snakes and call for help. We could even be called heroes for it." Kevin said this fast, feeling guilty for lying to his best friend. He just had to lie, for the good of both of them. After this was over, he would explain everything to him.

But he won't be able to explain if they got caught in the fire. He wished Darrin would comply quickly. Scott was probably starting the fire and he wanted to be out of here before it starts. 

"Hmm, I suppose you are right. Ok fine, I'll go." Darrin walked to the window near the door. The window wasn't high and it had no burglary proof, making it easy to climb in and out.

Kevin leaned his hand against the wall as he waited. He felt his hand press something.

Suddenly,

*RING*

A loud ringing sound blared in his ear so loud that he thought his eardrums would burst. He realized that he had accidentally pushed the fire alarm switch. Uh-oh, this was bad.

Wait, was it bad? The fire alarm should wake everyone before the fire intensifies. Maybe it was good.

He rushed to the window and jumped out.

"Who pressed the alarm? Was it you?" Darrin asked confused with the blaring alarm.

"I don't know. Let's get out of here." Kevin grabbed Darrin's hand.

"But where is the snake?" He asked and got ignored.

They came out in the open and out of the blue, white light penetrated their eyes.

"You two, what are you doing here?"