04. Lights Out

“Come on Julie it’s only for a few hours, it’s not like I’m kicking you out for the rest of the night!” Amy pleaded with sad eyes as her roommate sat studying at her desk. She’d been gushing all morning long about how her boyfriend Craig was coming down from New York to spend some time with her and that she wanted to be alone with him in their dorm room. 

“I just don’t understand why you can’t just get a hotel room and that way you won’t have to worry about me interrupting…whatever,” Julie reasoned, becoming a little agitated by all of Amy’s whining.

“Because he’s already spending a fortune on the plane tickets and I’m tapped out from finding the perfect outfit to wear for him Julie. Please, come on, you can study your heart out in the library; total peace and quiet.”

Dismally she looked up at her and the smile that slowly stretched across her face. “Fine. But you owe me!”

“YES! Thank you! I knew I could count on you,” Amy clapped excitedly and helped pack up Julie’s books. She sighed as she thought about the trek across campus to the library and back again. It had already started raining and the sidewalks were usually covered in frogs along the dorm’s pathway. Avoiding the hopping little critters was usually a very daunting task and one Julie really wasn’t in the mood for tonight; yeah Amy was gonna owe her big time for this one. “And just an FYI, if you hear moaning when you get in, leave the lights off unless you want a show,” she teased as Julie closed the door.

She sat in the tranquility of the library reviewing law procedurals and court cases for the upcoming Criminal Law exam in Professor Dolovich’s class. As much as she loved the law, sometimes it felt more like a chore than something to really enjoy. But sitting in her class helped put things into perspective and helped her understand the ins and outs of every court case pertaining to a particular scenario she’d get as assignment. “Eleven O’clock; if Amy’s not done by now then too bad,” Julie griped and collected her belongings to head back to the dorm.

The sky had taken on a deeper shade of blue and tiny gray clouds hid the stars from view making the night seem even darker. Julie slid her hand over the light switch and as she did, she heard Amy’s moaning and the bed springs creak as she bounced around her mattress. Those two are still going at it? She thought and grabbed her iPod from the nightstand beside her bed.

And after changing into her nightgown, Julie snugly pressed the buds into her ears and slipped beneath the covers. With any luck the soothing voice of Bruno Mars would lull her to sleep and suppress the groaning coming from the other side of the room. Something broke hitting the floor with a loud crash. If she didn’t know any better she’d think Amy was hosting a trampoline competition beside her.

The next morning Julie woke up and sat on the edge of the bed. As she stretched she felt her muscles pull and groaned at the realization of why she felt so sore. Amy and her mattress Olympics seemed to grow louder and louder throughout the night and she found herself sleeping rather awkwardly to keep the sound out of her ears. She glanced over at Amy’s bed and noticed she seemed completely knocked out and smiled. At least one of them got a good night’s sleep. 

Pulling up from the bed Julie started over to wake her so she didn’t also make them late for class. As she neared Amy’s bed she noticed a large red stain beneath her head and gasped. Rushing forward Julie shook her and she rolled to her back causing her to nearly jump out of her skin. There was more blood everywhere, handprints against the wall and headboard and even on the floor. Amy’s throat had been slit and her eyes were glossed over and rooted to the ceiling.

Turning to run for help Julie froze in place and screamed as she looked up towards the door. Painted on the wall in Amy’s blood was a message from the killer that made her heart stop in her chest, “Aren't You Glad You Didn't Turn on the Light?”

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