DON’T TURN ON THE LIGHTS

It was an ordinary day at the university. Vince has been unusually nerdy , who goes on and on with his medical conspiracy theories bullcrap, but he's my best friend nonetheless. Now he's going on and on about viruses.

"I mean, how could corporate owners even turn a blind eye to those affected by their desire for more cash?" he was wheezing, and reached inside his pocket to get his Ventolin inhaler.

"I'm going to make an immortality serum that would rid the world of the fear of viruses. He was shaking his inhaler.

And I wouldn't want even a single cent from it. Then, no one EVER will be able to make new virus strains since all people will be immune! Imma call it the "IN-VINCE-IBLE serum" he was wheezing even harder.

I groaned at his bad joke. Or was it a pun? Couldn't care less since I was getting a good streak at Mobile Legends. One last star for Epic rank…

*PUFF – inhale.

**5 seconds of silence**

I don't even know how I was putting up with this nerd. The only time that there is silence is when he goes for a puff with his inhaler…. Wait for it –

"Marty bud, you're not taking me seriously again!" his wrinkled nose went up and down in conjunction with his ears, making his eyeglasses pop up and down. He was shaking his inhaler once again, getting ready for another puff when the bell rang. Students quickly rushed towards the exit, leaving the room with their usual clutter – typical crowd mentality.

"Hey Vince, I'm going to Sophie's, I know you're not coming so I'll see you later!"

"Yeah. You and your social animals. Even if it were the last birthday party ever I wouldn't even want a peek. Heck, you guys are so wild, someone could get KILLED!" he puffed and snorted. He's going to study for the exams, as usual. And as usual, I don't.

5 seconds was enough time to escape from my nerd friend.

So I darted towards the exit.

"Puta, wait a second!" Vince had a serious look on his face, for once.

"Wut?" I muttered

"Don't turn on the light." He said, looking me straight in the eye.

"Yeah whatever man," I continued my stride. One peculiar thing about Vince is that he's quite sensitive specially when he sleeps. No noise, no lights.

So Sophie's party had the usual "party animals" inside, and I was having a good time. You see, I have this secret crush on Sophie and I guess she'll never know. Talking to super cute females is not one of my strongest suit. I sat there a few minutes, ogling at this beautiful creature while pretending to chat with my friends.

Before I knew it, after a couple of bottles, I got tipsy enough to call it a day. I bid farewell to the guys and gals and went straight to our dormitory.

The air was unusually cold that night. Probably I had one too many to drink. I needed to pee.

So being a local guy, I went to my usual toilet (santan plants near the dormitory walls) to do my business. I could've sworn there were banging sounds somewhere but I was too tipsy to care. Probably those hippies getting it on again. It's Sunday afterall, I'll probably smell hashish all over the place.

So I was in front of our room door, I fumbled for my keys. I didn't have the best hand eye coordination due to my state (well, actually even without alcohol). After a few seconds of wrestling with the corroded knob, the door opened to a pitch black room.

I tossed my sandals and socks away. I was reaching for the light switch, seemed to have been a habit of mine through the years. I'm not flat footed but who knows what obstacles are there to welcome my bare feet.

Then I remembered what Vince told me this morning.

"DON'T TURN ON THE LIGHTS"

Ok, so being the "good guy" and tipsy AF, for once I heeded his request and went straight to the upper bunk, almost falling, but through some miracle, got up there in one piece. My foot dangled to the edge of the bed as I closed my eyes.

The following morning, well, it was midday to be exact, I woke up with that dreaded hangover. I scratched my nape as I yawned fresh air – wait, something smells funny.

I jumped down and got my feet soaked.

It wasn't water.

I slipped and fell to the floor. As my head came in contact with the closet, even before my brain signaled my pain receptors due to the impact, my vision turned to the most horrific sight.

It was Vince. His dilapidated body was sprawled across his bed. Blood flow trailed across his open gut, the white beddings now dark red, drenched in a pool of dried blood ,feces, and urine. His distorted body had signs of struggle; but knowing Vince, he couldn't have even put up a good fight.

With my stomach turned upside down, clamoring, panicking, breathless, I struggled with my weak legs to get up. Blood was all over my body. It was the least of my worries.

On top of all the horrific sight and smell, I almost lost it when I saw the message written on the wall with Vince's blood.

"GLAD YOU DIDN'T TURN ON THE LIGHTS?"