Discovered by Darkness

“What the Hell do you think you’re doing?”

This was how introductions went with my new roommate. As first impressions go, it was a rocky one. Little did I know that this was the beginning of the end of my life.

I was starting my junior year at college, moving into a new dorm with a new roommate. I can’t tell you how much I dreaded the meeting. Anything had to be better than the three Fany’s. Tiffany, Steffanny, and I kid you not, Kiffany…

All riding an athletic scholarship, all part of the volleyball team, and all part of the ‘I hate Alicia Bennet club.’ I’m serious. They even had a poster hanging in the living room saying as much, asking all their friends to join by signing it. It was a constant reminder of where I stood with them.

What they didn’t know, I knew from our first introductions, how they really felt about me.

I’m an Empath. I read people. I experience their emotions and can sense their intentions.

 My grandmother called it my gift, me, my sixth sense, my dad simply brushed it off as gut instinct. Whatever you call it, it’s plagued me my whole life.

From our first introduction, I saw the dark malicious streak tainting their souls. There were days I’d come home from class. I could feel their cruel intentions radiating out into the hall. It was like living at home with my brother, the scares from his assaults, still fresh.

I shuddered inwardly, forcing the memories back, locking them away. Pulled back to the present when the lady from the student housing office yelled “next.” Smacking her gum, peering right at me over the rim of her glasses.

“Name?” she demanded, turning toward her computer.

“Alicia Bennet.” The woman entered my name into her system, reading the screen for a minute, before she spoke.

“You’re in Wollaston Hall, eighth floor room 804-A. I’ll be right back with your keys.” The woman slipped offer stool, disappearing around a corner.

I felt how tired and annoyed she was by the endless parade of ungrateful students. She returned a moment later, handing me a document to sign and an envelope containing my building key, my dorm, and room key.

“Thank you.” I said, meeting her eyes. The woman instantly softened. Taking a deep breath, letting it out slowly, she replied with a smile of her own.

“You’re welcome.”

I picked up my pack, turning for the door, when I felt them, the Fanys. I locked my gaze on the exit, marching for my escape, when a hand seized me by the shoulder.

“Alicia, is that you?” Tiffany gushed. “Oh my gosh, you look so, so, so…” she trailed off.

“The same?” Said Kiffany, trying to fill the blank.

“Fat?” Stephanie said dryly.

“No. I was going to say, disappointing.” The three girls cackled at their own sense of humor. Tiffany released me, giving me a shove as she did, knocking me into the door. I ran from the building, fighting the tears.

I was not going to play their victim anymore.

While Tiffany was playing her little mind game, I felt the sheer boredom from Stephanie and the desperation from Kiffany. But what was surprising was the guilt escaping from Tiffany.

Slowly I released a frustrated sigh, then headed for the student towers. A cluster of four building, built just off University Campus.

I’ve been on my own for two years now. My dad remarried a year ago and, for the most part, leaves me alone. He pays for my tuition, and in return I get good grades.

As soon as I graduated from high school, I moved to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan for University on my own. It was somewhere new, but from the moment I arrived, it was where I belonged. I was finally free.

I followed the trickle of students down the avenue. There was a general buzz of excitement in the air, a feeling of anticipation and acceptance. Exclamations of joy, punctuated with sober moments of reflection, as everyone prepared for the year to come.

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