The Devil Texts At Midnight - Part 3
by Eric Levin
What is this?
Are you seeing this?
See what, Sue?
Professor Edmund goes to the bathroom and now he’s acting different
He looks the same to me
Yeah, he looks the same
But he’s acting different
Hmm I don’t see it
Trust me
Like you’re an expert, Sue!
We just met him this morning
But I was paying close attention
Yeah, I bet you were
I saw you checking him out
That’s hardly relevant to the topic at hand, Claire
I thought the topic was you paying exceptionally close attention to our Professor
The topic is him acting like a different person
Maybe it’s aliens
I’m serious
I know you’re serious
And I think you’re overreacting
Do you know me as one to overreact?
Not really
But tell me what makes him so different
And what makes it a source of concern
The way he walks is different
You’re an expert on how he walks?
There’s stiltedness
Like he’s uncomfortable in his skin
He was just in the bathroom
Maybe he’s got an upset stomach?
Could be…
Did you see that??
He read the chalkboard for his name
He’s just scanning the room Sue
You read too much into things
And now he can’t open his own suitcase!
The lock was jammed
You seem to WANT something to be wrong
Why is he passing the attendance sheet around AGAIN
Goodness Sue, let it rest
Maybe this is who he is
Maybe Professor Edmund is our bumbling, forgetful professor who has trouble opening his suitcase
You’d shame him for that?
That’s not what I’m doing
I’m just concerned
You can say that again…
Oh shit, Sue look up LOOK UP
He must’ve seen your phone
Whew, that was intense
That wasn’t a normal stare
Uh…it looked pretty normal to me
There was anger in his eyes
Yeah, cause we’re texting
Wow, check out this attendance sheet
Why?
It’s written on parchment or something
Claire, you didn’t sign this?
Of course I signed it
This isn’t an attendance sheet!
Uh, it has our names on it
Did you not read the top??
“We hereby designate our souls the sole property of the Devil”
Haha it’s a joke
The Devil’s not real
He IS real
He’s the reason I got admitted
Sue, you’re paranoid
You had a crush on Professor Edmund
He turned out less dreamy than you hoped
Now you believe he’s the Devil
Maybe…
What are you doing?
Looking up Occult specialists
Oh Sue…
What was our tuition money for?
a little bit later
Hi, this is Sue. I found your # online and need help.
Hello, Sue! Can I call you?
Srry, im actually in class
Gotcha. What’s the trouble?
My professor is acting strange
And I met the Devil last year
You met the Devil?
Not face to face
He texted me
And continues to text me every once in awhile
Oftentimes drunk
And you worry your professor’s connected?
He passed around an attendance sheet that was a soul contract
Diabolical!
You didn’t sign, did you??
Of course not. Everyone else did
My friend says it’s just a joke
And you would like proof, one way or the other?
Exactly
I know just the test
Does he have any animals with him?
Animals?
Like toads?
Or salamanders?
Shrunken heads?
Ew, I don’t see any
Wait!
Claire what is that?
What?
That thing moving in his hair?
Ewwww
What’s the status?
He has a TOAD in his HAIR!
And he’s saying something
Saying what?
It’s not English
It’s not anything
It’s sounds
He’s incanting
OH NO
Are you alright, Sue?
There was a flash of light
Now everyone’s gone!
Everyone?
My entire class
I’m all alone
Because you didn’t sign the contract
But your classmates now burn in fiery Hell
Oh no! Could this get any worse?
Hello, Sue
Long time no text
App