Paranormal University: Third Semester: An Unveiled Academy Novel

by Jace Mitchell

  Lance started to scribble something down, but Remington reached over and paused his hand. “If we get those kids out, I personally guarantee we’ll help your acting career, Frank.”

  The leprechaun clapped his hands. “Okay, then. We’ve got a deal.”

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Jack was sitting against a wall, his head resting against it. “I’m really entertaining all the ways I’m going to hurt Remington and Lance when I get out of here. I’m seriously considering getting some money together and buying some of that old Inquisition torture stuff. The iron maiden. The rack. The problem that I keep running across is that every one of those things will kill them, and that’s not going to be painful enough, ya know?”

  Sam’s groan filled the room. “If we get out of this, what you need to do is see a therapist.”

  Jack nodded in agreement. “Certainly, but only after I get hold of those two.”

  The three students occupied a single room. They were bruised but not broken. None of them had been hurt like Remington and Lance, which Jack was thankful for. Truthfully, he was talking shit right now, but he hoped those two had lived. Hades had really hurt them.

  Marissa was sitting on the third wall. “How long have we been in here?”

  Jack looked down at his watch. “My watch stopped working. I imagine y’all’s did too?”

  Nods all around.

  Jack sighed and leaned his head back against the wall. “No real way to tell. I guess bathroom breaks and food are the only things that give us an idea about the passing of time, but I’m losing track of all that. Are you, Marissa?”

  She nodded but was silent.

  Jack’s eyes flashed to the room’s only door. It slowly swung open, and standing in the doorway was that bastard of a dog. Three heads and almost as big as a bear.

  Jack immediately felt fear staring at the beast, and he knew everyone else in the room did too. There wasn’t any defeating that creature, not without a sub-machinegun.

  Jack slowly stood up, his back sliding against the wall as he did. “I want to know how he opened that door. Last time I checked, dogs don’t have thumbs.”

  The other two stood up as well, and Marissa said, “Yeah, do they have three heads? I mean, the last time you checked?”

  Jack wanted to say something smart back, but he couldn’t take his eyes off the brutish animal. For some reason, he felt like it’d be better if he saw death charging at him, snarling and slobbering everywhere.

  The dog backed out of the doorway, and then its middle head barked. It walked a few steps to the right and disappeared.

  “What the hell does that mean?” Jack wondered aloud.

  Another bark from the hallway, the dog was not far from the door from the sound of it.

  Marissa shook her head, her eyes wide. “It wants us to follow.”

  Jack stepped away from the wall. “I’d watch your pronouns. I think it’s a he, and I don’t want to piss him off.”

  Sam gave him a skeptical look. “That’s what you’re worried about, pronouns? I’m going to have to insist the university starts checking for more than a pulse when they enroll students.”

  Another loud bark erupted from the hallway, sounding as if all three heads had joined in.

  “I think we’d better go,” Jack whispered. He started forward, not really wanting to but knowing he had no other choice in the matter. What was he going to do? Stand against the wall and disobey the beast? Not if he wanted to keep his throat intact.

  The three students walked out of the room, no one bothering to close the door behind them. Once the dog saw them, all six of his eyes glared at them as if he was angry it’d taken them so long to follow him. He eventually turned and started down the hallway.

  Goosebumps erupted across Jack’s arms, but he walked forward, Sam and Marissa on either side.

  “Where the hell are we?” he asked after a few turns.

  “Same answer as before,” Marissa replied. “I don’t know.”

  They’d talked about this when they’d first awoken in that room. None of them had a clue as to where they were, and these winding hallways only solidified that.

  Finally, after many more turns, the dog stopped at what appeared to be an elevator.

  Tempting death, Jack asked, “Well, are you going to push the button, Spot?”

  The beast growled.

  Sam shook her head and stepped to the far side of Jack, then gingerly reached forward and pressed the elevator’s button. “You really are a Jack-ass,” she told him as she stepped back next to him.

  Jack watched the dog turn and face the elevator. “He somehow opened that door back there. I want to know if he can press a button.”

  Marissa shook her head. “Magic could have opened the door. They have Tina. There are hexes all over this place.”

  The elevator door opened, and the beast stepped on first. Jack looked cautiously without stepping forward. “If that dog farts on the elevator, all three of us are goners.”

  Sam smacked him on the back of the head. “If you don’t quit joking, you’re a goner. Get on.”

  Jack rubbed the back of his head as he walked into the elevator. The doors closed once all three were inside. The dog stood behind them, which made Jack even more nervous, but he managed to keep his mouth shut.

  After what felt like an eternity, the elevator door opened again. The dog growled menacingly. “This must be our stop,” Jack commented.

  When they stepped out, the beast walked around them, but now it was clear he was no longer leading them.

  Instead, he was going to his master.

  “Hades,” Jack whispered, almost without control. He glanced at Marissa. “Keep your panties on. I don’t care how good he looks.”

  Sam smacked him again, obviously not caring whether they were in front of a dog or a god.

  “Damn it!” Jack cursed quietly, rubbing his head again. “Quit that!”

  Sam kept her eyes on the god before them. “Quit saying dumb stuff.”

  “Tell those sons-of-bastards to be quiet.”

  Jack’s face screwed up, realizing for the first time that there were people behind Hades. He moved his head and saw the five of them. A fat guy who was smiling, two women, a man dressed in a nice suit, and a guy with two-inch-thick glasses.

  “Uncle Bill,” Sam whispered.

  Jack could hardly believe it. “That is Uncle Bill?” Those five were the ones causing all the trouble?

  Hades reached down and patted his dog’s middle head. “Do you think you two might cease talking for a moment?”

  I don’t want to, Jack thought, but he managed to keep his mouth shut—probably best to avoid death by stupidity.

  Hades straightened. He was wearing a black robe that Jack had missed during the attack. Without any doubt, Brad Pitt on his best day would be jealous of the god’s looks. But beneath it all rested a sinister aura that could not be forgotten.

  “That’s very kind of you,” the god remarked. He nodded to the dog, and the beast trotted over to the wall. Hades turned and looked at the five people sitting behind him.

  Jack took that moment to glance around the whole room, realizing that he’d almost been put into a trance by Hades. The fine rugs throughout the room looked very similar to ones in the university’s sitting rooms.

  The five people behind Hades were spread out between a couch and two loveseats. Jack got to the right side of the room, and he saw her. Tina. One of the witches who had almost burned him alive. Finally, Jack looked at Hades again. “Nice digs.” He nodded at Coke-bottle glasses. “Hi, Uncle Bill.”

  A small grin spread across Hades’ face. “I’m unsure what happened when I arrived here, but I understood your language immediately, and apparently you understand mine, although I don’t believe I’m speaking a new tongue. However, there are new words and phrases that I’m coming to learn. One is ‘smart-ass.’ You are being a smartass now, right?”

  Jack shrugged. “I’m beginning to think it’s a
disease. You shouldn’t judge me for it.”

  Hades’ brow furrowed. “Not judge you? I rule the underworld, boy. My purpose is to judge.”

  Jack leaned over to Marissa. “I’ll give it to you, Sissy. You’ve got a better sense of humor than him.”

  Hades moved to his left, creating a direct line of sight between the students and the five cult leaders. “These five have explained some things to me since arriving. At first, I came to find out where my employees went. Then to find the one who took my employees.” He gestured at Tina, who only kept her head down. “And when I returned, this small group had actually shaped up some and was able to explain some things to me. They made me see that there are forces at work here I didn’t understand yet. Forces you certainly don’t understand.”

  What is this? Jack wondered. A shitty movie where the bad guy explains the plot to the good guys? If so, this god is dumber than a bag of nails.

  Jack said nothing, though. He’d let the dumbass talk it all out if that’s what he wanted to do.

  Hades studied Jack. “I can see you are judging me now. Tina, tell me what he is thinking.”

  Without looking up, the witch said, “He thinks you’re about to tell your entire plan and that you are dumb for doing so.”

  Hades laughed, a rich sound that filled the room and also made Jack’s arm hair stand on end. His laughter slowed, and then he spoke. “I could give you written directions for my plan. I could give them to every single person on this planet, and no one could stop me.”

  He looked toward the five people on the couches. “Is there anything any of you would like to say?”

  Uncle Bill had some kind of handheld game in his lap. He didn’t look up when he spoke. “Tell my bitch of a niece that she should have stayed home.”

  Hades chuckled and then stepped in front of the group again. “I did not call you here to tell you my plans but to ask you what yours are. I’ve treated you well. Those closest to you, I sent home alive. Those that died, you did not know them. All in all, I’ve treated you kindly, I must say. Now it is time for you to return the favor.”

  The dog trotted a few steps toward the middle of the room, the threat clear. Give him what he wants, or you and I can play catch with your femur.

  “I want to know about your friend Claire.” Hades lingered over her name as if it was some kind of exotic and rare animal. “Why was she not with you?”

  Jack looked at Marissa. She was already looking back at him. They both understood what the other was thinking.

  We’d sooner die than give up anything about her.

  The dog stepped closer, growling low in his chest.

  The god looked at the witch. “Tina, what was that look about?”

  The witch was a beaten woman, but a dutiful one. “Neither of them wants to tell you anything about Claire. They’re willing to risk death.”

  Hades stepped closer and Jack saw flames in the god's eyes, burning right behind his pupils. “Perhaps they are. Why would you die for her, though? She’s not even here.”

  Jack couldn’t help it, then. He chuckled, a real laugh.

  “Do I amuse you, boy?”

  Jack shrugged again. “You said she’s not here.”

  Hades turned in a circle and mockingly observed the room. “Is she? Do you see her somewhere?”

  Jack sighed and looked at the floor. He shook his head, and for a brief moment, sort of felt bad for this creature from another world. “Hades, we don’t know each other that well, and I know you’re just now learning our phrases and whatnot, but we have an old saying. Speak of the devil, and he might show up—”

  Marissa leaned in close. “Technically, it’s ‘speak of the devil, and he doth appear.’”

  Jack nearly groaned. He whispered back harshly. “Damn it. I’m trying to be dramatic.” He looked back at Hades. “She ruins everything. I’m laughing because Claire isn’t here yet, but she will be soon enough.”

  Hades walked over slowly until he stood in front of Jack. Jack was six feet tall, but Hades was at least four inches taller. He bent down slightly. There really was fire in his eyes, however impossible that might be. “I’m counting on it.”

  He pointed at the door. “You humans may leave.” The five cult members left the room at Hades’ direction, none of them giving any pushback. Only the three students, the witch, the dog, and the god remained.

  Hades gestured toward the empty couches. “Please, sit.”

  No sense in wasting time, Jack thought. We’re going to do what the bastard tells us one way or another—except give him anything about Claire. That we won’t do.

  Jack walked across the large room with Marissa and Sam following closely. He partly wished Sam had been with them from the first semester because he thought she might have been able to take over the role of leader now that Claire was gone.

  Alas, she wasn’t nearly there yet, and so it fell to Jack. No worries. We’ll probably all be dead momentarily. Then we don’t really have to worry about it.

  All three took a seat. The dog trotted over to the edge of the thick carpet that lay beneath the furniture, each head watching one of the students. The middle one was on Jack, and while he wanted to watch the beast, the real danger lay with Hades.

  Jack kept his attention there. “So, those five that just left. What are they, like your groupies?”

  He felt Marissa elbow him. He knew that she wanted him to shut up, but the more nervous he got, the more untamed his mouth grew.

  Hades walked over next to his dog and placed his hand on Cerberus’ right head, stroking it absently. “They are obedient as all humans should be, as all humans will be eventually. You have forgotten what your ancestors knew. We are to be worshipped and feared. There is fear in you, but…” Hades shook his head. “No worship.”

  Jack frowned. “Honestly, Mr. God. I looked at the store for some worship, but they were plum out. If you let me get out of here now, I’ll run to the nearest Wal-Mart and see if they’re stocked up.”

  Hades glanced at the witch, who answered immediately. “He’s mocking you.”

  “Ah.” Hades grinned. “You find yourself funny, boy?”

  The quips were coming fast now. “I find myself in ladies' rooms a lot but haven’t found myself in funny.”

  Hades sighed and took his hand off the dog’s head. “I’m going to have to kill you. I just hope the other two will provide me with what I need.”

  Jack didn’t have time to move at all. He witnessed the same thing he’d seen during the first attack—the god slicing through space with tracers following after him as if time itself had slowed down.

  The next thing Jack knew, he was hanging in the air with Hades' hand wrapped around his throat. He couldn’t breathe, couldn’t scream. He couldn’t do anything but kick at the god’s body. His kicks had no more effect than a stiff breeze might.

  Marissa acted first, slamming into Hades with no thought of herself at all. She hit him with her shoulder, colliding with his ribs. She slid off like a raindrop.

  The dog leapt and pinned Marissa against the ground with one pounce. It snapped at her face, nearly killing her right then, but somehow Marissa managed to wrap her hands around its throat—though that wouldn’t last longer than another second.

  Sam rose from the couch, whatever fear that had frozen her broken at last. She jumped on the dog’s back, her hands raining blows down on its middle head while the other two tried to snap at her.

  Hades paused with his hand tightening slightly around Jack’s neck and looked at the insane sight behind them. One of Cerberus’ heads was trying to kill Marissa beneath him, and the other two were doing their best to kill Sam on his back.

  Hades laughed, kicking Sam in the ribs. She hit the floor and slid another ten feet. Hades looked down at his dog. “Enough, Cerberus. I can’t kill them all and find out what I want to know.”

  The dog gave one more menacing growl and then hopped off Marissa.

  Hades turned his attention back up to Jack,
whose face was going purple. Blackness was crowding the outside of his vision, and his kicks had nearly stopped.

  “Do I kill you now?” Hades murmured. “Or is there another use for you? That’s the question. It is my brother who always used trickery to get what he wanted, while brute force is more my forte. What would Zeus do?”

  Hades released his grip, and Jack fell to the floor.

  Jack coughed and spluttered, unable to find air. He was certain he was going to die.

  The god turned to Marissa, who was still lying on the ground with dog drool covering her face. Hades noted that her arms were covered with red scratches. “You’re a lively group, aren’t you? Will all you humans behave like this, or will some have more intelligence?”

  Jack rolled over on his side, finally finding some air and barely able to speak. “I take offense to that,” he croaked. “My IQ has got to be in the top tenth percentile.”

  Hades squatted down so that he was closer to Jack. “I may end up deciding to cut your tongue out. I think that would be a fitting punishment for one who cannot stop speaking despite how much it endangers him. Now, boy, my patience grows thin. Tell me about Claire. Who is she and why is she so special?”

  Jack blinked and cleared his eyes of tears. He opened them to find Marissa staring back at him. She shook her head. No. He rolled over on his back and stared up at the ceiling. His throat was on fire and he could feel Hades still staring at him. Jack coughed and then said. “Maybe, she’s going to be the one that saves me.”

  Hades remained very still as he spoke. “No, boy. She will not save you. Now tell me about her. I demand it.”

  Jack took in a deep breath. “Because after all, she’s my Wonderwall.” He met Hades’ eyes. “Back beat, the word is on the street that the fire in your heart is out.”

  Hades' eyes narrowed. “Witch! Has this boy gone mad?”

  Tina called from across the room. “He’s mocking you again. That’s a song by a band named Oasis. He’s just saying the lyrics.”