Prologue

A soft rustling sound broke the silence around Varsity Pond. The couple sitting on the park bench, enjoying the soft spring night, thought nothing of it. An owl, left homeless when the old Peabody gym had burned, had moved into a hollow oak tree near the pond. Bird-watchers from the Biology I class kept an eye on the tree, hoping the bird was nesting.

The girl snuggled close as the guy she was with stroked her hair with gentle hands. His first kiss was soft, lingering.

A groan from behind them caused her to pull back, alarmed. A musty smell grew stronger, became rotten, like a skunk long dead.

The low growl sent shivers throughout the girl’s body. Her chest squeezed, leaving her struggling to breathe. She wanted to scream, but no sound left her open mouth.

Before she could get to her feet, before they could run, the beast roared, attacked, slashing out with long, razor-sharp claws.

Everyone had joked about the monster stalking students on the campus of Salem University. Everyone thought it was a prank by the Sigma Chis.

The couple could testify that the creature was no prank.

They had evidence that the creature was real.

They could put the rumors to rest.

If they lived.