The Last Question

The pouring rain hit my ears, and I took a minute to register that it was my alarm clock blaring. I grappled with the sheets to reach out for my phone. I silenced the cheerful rain sounds and silently crashed the room as the phone's light made me squint my eyes. 2 am read the screen. I groaned and spent 15 minutes wondering why getting up was worthwhile. Honestly, Midterms have started to haunt me. Thankfully, it’s the last time today.

 

I threw off my comforter and slid off my bed with heavy steps. I reached my desk and opened my laptop. The dark room lit up with the laptop’s screen light. My bloodshot eyes were far more adjusted to read like vampires than work under full lighting. I opened my notebook, clicked on my pen, and started to write down the question. The scratching and shuffling of sheets filled the room as I absorbed the task. I was obsessed with studying at this time. It’s when many people give up on learning, or the ones on all-nighters take a slagging, but I start afresh now. It was practically my time to rule over the entire world. I felt like the king of the world.

 

I finished the question and looked at the answer bank. Of course, it matched; it was meant to match. I turned the page to the next question. The air of darkness felt cold and heavy on my shoulders, but I didn’t care about anything. The wind blew outside my window, and the moon covered its face with the blankets of clouds. My laptop remains the sole source of light now.

 

 I heard the door knob rattle; I paused and looked at the door. I was annoyed by someone breaking my meditation. But the door remained silent, and I chalked it off as a play of wind. I kept solving my problems as time ticked away.

 

After an hour, the doorknob rattled again, but I was too engaged in my question to notice it. I was finally on the last problem, and I finally reached the end of it. Smirking I turned to the answer key, and my eyes widened in shock as I saw that my answer was wrong. I took the pen and swiftly turned up a new page, my breath shallow as I tried to undo the error. Twenty minutes later, I still had solved it wrong. I threw my pen aside and gripped my head in frustration.

I know nothing; I am going to fail today. Thoughts of failure started blurring my mind, and I became anxious and annoyed. In all the chaos the door banged open. I jumped in fright. The cool wind hit my face, and I turned in shock to see the open door. No one stood on the opposite end. I got up; my heart was beating rapidly, but I was more annoyed at my stupidity than afraid of this mysterious occurrence. How could I have forgotten to lock the doorknob? Anyone could have come walking in and stole valuable stuff like my excellent notes, and I would have been peacefully slumbering. I shut the door and turned the lock. I sat back on the chair and noticed that my laptop had switched to power-saving mode. Well, I will get up again when it dies.

 

I started to solve that problem again. The air inside had turned stiller, and the temperature seemed to have dropped even though it was supposed to be a clear night. The howling wind outside signaled a noticeable change in plan. I rubbed my eyes as I got it wrong again.

A chuckle echoed in the room. I looked up. It still hung over my dorm like the impending doom. My mind slugged over the concept. Did I imagine a chuckle? It was possible; maybe it was all in my head. Distracted, I scolded myself and returned to solving the question.

My hands were shaking, and I mumbled at the increasing cold. The laptop’s screen started to fade more as the battery leaked out. I was on my last 10 percent.

I sighed and my sigh echoed back. I froze.

I felt watched.

I looked through my laptop’s screen, but all I could see was my ghost-pale reflection and darkness behind me. Something seemed unnatural about the way darkness gathered behind me. As if it was all centered right behind me. It looked like someone was sitting on my bed hiding in the shadows.

I shook my head. I was irrational. This was a trick of my mind not to study. I had to keep pushing on. The battery lowered by another percent, and the wind outside increased slightly.

 

Soon, the oak tree by the window tapped on the pane as if warning me. The relentless thump thump matched my heartbeat. I heard my bed creek. They were getting up now and were coming to get me.

My rationale screamed at me to look back and face my fear, but suddenly I felt like losing control. It was as if facing the worst nightmare.

A problem in the dark. I hated that; I liked to get in the face of mystery, but I was too timid today. I grabbed my pen and returned to the question. I must keep working, it's all in my head, and nothing is behind me.

Shivers ran down my spine as I felt icy breath exhale over my shoulder. They were standing just an inch away from me. I had to solve this question. It was the last one left; it would all be okay if I solved it.

My pen scratched relentlessly, the battery dropped, and the doorknob rattled as the oak beat away. Their cold breath on my shoulder kept me on edge; I gulped as I reached the last step. It still seemed off, and I made an error again.

 

The laptop was screaming alerts at me saying just 5% remaining. Tears fell on my notebook as I restarted the question, their breath quickened as they realized I was failing. They were basking in my failure, feeding off my distress. The battery dropped to last one percent, and I dropped my pen. I can’t do this. I close my eyes and feel darkness consume me.

 

The pouring rain hit my ears, and I took a minute to register that it was my alarm clock blaring. I grappled with the sheets to reach out for my phone. I silenced the cheerful rain sounds and silently crashed the room as the phone's light made me squint my eyes. 2 am read the screen. I groaned and spent 15 minutes wondering why getting up was worth the effort. Honestly, Midterms have started to haunt me. I really hope that it will be the last time today.