Read Online Darkness Watching (Darkworld #1) by Emma L. Adams - Free Book Online Page B

walked past. For a second, I was half-convinced we’d jumped back to the fifteenth century.
    “That’d be the RPG Society,” said Alex.
    “What, they walk around campus like that?” said Sarah, sceptically. “With the swords and everything?”
    “So I’ve heard,” said David. “You get all sorts here. They’re not the weirdest.”
    “They’re not doing any harm,” said Alex. “I think it’s pretty cool, actually. Y’know, in a nerdy way.”
    Gotta admire their nerve, I thought, although using cardboard as the basis for their props might have been a mistake, given the weather. Their armour and weapons looked decidedly worse for wear.
    “Not sure I’ll be joining,” said Sarah.
    “Might be a laugh,” said Alex. “It’s Freshers’ Fair tomorrow, right? We can sign up to stuff then. I’m joining hiking. And maybe climbing and badminton. And―”
    “Isn’t that a bit much?” I said. “You do have coursework as well, don’t forget.”
    “We have only three years here,” said Alex. “I want to make the most of every second!”
    And so we set off early for the Great Hall the following morning. Dark clouds smeared the sky, but nothing could dampen Alex’s spirit―not even the torrential rain that hit us when we neared the centre of campus. I half-expected her to start singing.
    Sarah groaned and ran for shelter. I didn’t mind the rain so much; but the wind had kept me awake at night, rattling the windows and making me dream of shadowy figures trying to break in. It didn’t take much to set off my imagination.
    We entered the Hall, now a riot of bright colours. People stood everywhere handing out everything from lollipops to bird whistles. Banners advertising the various societies adorned the walls, accompanied by demonstrations. The Role-Playing Society’s activities attracted a lot of attention. Two guys decked in cardboard armour duelled with plastic swords in the middle of the hall. Meanwhile, the Mountaineers set up a climbing wall; Alex ran in that direction and was soon enthusiastically swinging toward the ceiling. I saw David queuing next to a serious-looking group that advertised itself as the Politics Society. Nearby, the Cheerleading Club formed a human pyramid, and the Gaming Society demonstrated their various consoles. They looked more interested in kicking ass on Resident Evil than actually signing people up, though.
    The noise and laughter were infectious. I decided to go all-out and signed up to the Literature Society, the Gaming Society, the student newspaper, and the Hiking Club. Alex joined no fewer than seven different societies, insisting she’d easily make time for hiking, climbing, backpacking, tae kwon do, swimming, kayaking, and badminton. Somehow, she also managed to talk Sarah and me into putting our names down for the first hike of the year, a day trip to Borrowdale in the Lake District.
    “You’re a fan of the great outdoors, aren’t you?” I said, as we left the hall, laden down with freebies.
    “Yeah, it’s awesome! Speaking of, are you guys up for a walk down to Blackstone? I’ve heard they have some neat little shops there.”
    “Cool,” said Sarah.
    “Sure, I’ll come,” I said. “I didn’t get to look at the shops when I went there with David.”
    “Funny, that,” said Alex. “He doesn’t really speak to either of us, but he asked you to go with him to Blackstone! I think there’s something there.” She looked at me significantly.
    I blinked. “I don’t know, we were both up early and he was going to go anyway. Nothing happened.” Honestly, it was just like talking to Cara. I hadn’t mentioned our little outing to her, either, to avoid exactly this.
    “ Sure . Oi, can I have a few more of those condoms? I’m planning a wild night.” She snatched another bag from the guy at the Safe Sex stand outside the hall.
    “Alex, you’re terrible!” I said, laughing. “I think he thought you were being serious!”
    “How d’you know I’m