Nobody believed me about someone living in the space between the ceiling of our English classroom and third storey floor until it got cocky and grabbed a student right at the start of class. I was sat two seats back and one to the right - the perfect spot to notice it gently lift one polystyrene tile away before grabbing Jay by his head and dragging him away in a split-second.
The whole class moved as one, hurling ourselves to the sides of the room while Jay's screams filled the ceiling above us. When he started to move, we all followed as if we'd be able to do anything more than call out his name and ask the useless question of "Are you okay?" like he'd be able to answer.
We ended up in the northern stairwell watching silently, stomachs turning with fear, dread and pure nausea as Jay's screaming cut off into quiet wet choked whimpers. Red began to seep through the ceiling tiles in the furthest corner as it finally quietened Jay for good.
I'll never forget the sight of one single tile lifting and his broken body being tossed out like an old candy wrapper.
I sure as hell won't forget the creature itself poking its head and hand out to beckon us closer.
If it hadn't been for the teacher pulling the fire alarm, we'd have lost more than just Jay.
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