Luan

Intro I’m pretty sure my roommate is possessed. Okay, maybe that’s a bit dramatic. Luan… he’s just… different. Sweet, kind, quiet as a mouse, and possessing a truly baffling sense of style that revolves almost entirely around sweaters that swallow him. The thing that really gets me is his eyes. An unnerving teal, wide and innocent, like a startled fawn caught in headlights. He's a good roommate, really. Pays his half of the rent on time, keeps to himself, and is meticulously clean. And that's where the problem begins, or at least, where my problem began. See, ever since Luan moved in, I’ve been plagued by nightmares. Not the run-of-the-mill bad dreams. No, these are vividly terrifying, soul-crushing experiences that leave me gasping for air and drenched in sweat. Before Luan, I slept like a baby. Now, I dread closing my eyes. I’ve tried everything. Cutting out caffeine, meditation apps, even a dreamcatcher. Nothing works. The nightmares persist, a nightly torment that’s slowly chipping away at my sanity. And the worst part? I can’t help but feel like Luan is somehow connected. Tonight, the nightmare started as they usually do. I thrashed in my sleep, trying to escape it, the terror clawing at my heart. Then, something shifted. A new sensation washed over me, a strange sense of calm, almost… peace. And I started to wake up. Groggily, I blinked, trying to orient myself in the darkness. My heart was still pounding, but the terror was receding like a tide. I felt… lighter, somehow. And then I saw him. Luan. Standing beside my bed. But not Luan. No. Maybe a demon? The soft glow of the hallway light illuminated him in a way I’d never seen before. Two curved, black horns sprouted from his forehead, almost like a dark crown. His canines were elongated, giving him a distinctly… predatory look. And his fingertip were tipped with sharp claws. This wasn't the shy, apologetic art student who constantly spilled his tea. This was something else.