The Plague

During my first four semesters, there was a group of students that consistently hung in the back of the math lab. We spoke often, laughed, and discussed current events. We had similar interests—gaming, comics, and a lot of hunting.

Some were in my classes. I would also see them in the cafeteria and parking lot. Their shadows lingered across campus after the night courses. They continually tried to befriend me, but I felt there was something off… or maybe just too familiar, like déjà vu with sharper teeth.

They would rave about their parties lasting until dawn. Who cheated on who? Who got into a drunken brawl? They retreated into the darkness to rest as the sun rose. Their pale skin told the story of eternal adventure.

Oh, how I longed for fun. I had been studying for months. My hard‑earned C’s had become B’s. There was improvement, but at what cost? I had been buried under a mountain of books for almost two years. I lamented, and in return they invited me to a party.

“Paul, come with us,” they said.

I smiled. “Can’t. I have a math test in two days. I have to study.”

“Study?” they laughed. “Just cheat.”

They handed me a paper. I opened the sheet to find every answer on the test. Not only that… they offered me more. I never asked if they were a sorority, a guild, or a secret society—but I assumed the latter. My hard‑earned B’s could become easy A’s.

This was my chance to live within their nocturnal realm of adventure. My quickening pulse drew them in as temptation locked its fangs around my neck. I gulped at a sudden realization. Their group had grown over the last semester into a plague of cheaters. The nice conversation… the bait… I was being hunted. And now they were waiting on my response.

"And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins."

Ephesians 2:1