Noah stood stiffly at the front of the classroom, clipboard in hand, eyes scanning the rows of students hunched over their test papers. The room was filled with the soft rustle of pages, the occasional sigh of frustration, and the faint ticking of the wall clock above the whiteboard.
It was his first task as Elias Hartman's teaching assistant is to help him proctor a mid-term exam for the advanced behavioral psychology class.
"Just make sure no one cheats, and collect the papers when time's up," Elias had told him earlier with a casual smile. "Think you can handle that, Sinclair?"
He had nodded silently. Of course, he could. What he didn't say out loud was that he actually preferred this kind of job, minimal contact, structured, quiet. No unpredictable social interaction. Still, that didn't mean he felt at ease.
Noah adjusted his gloves for the third time in ten minutes. He hated touching desks, especially ones used by dozens of students in the same week. The mask helped too. Not just as a physical barrier, but as an emotional one. It made him feel less exposed.
A girl in the second row raised her hand.
"Yes?" he asked, stepping closer but maintaining a full desk's distance.
"Do we get extra time for the last essay question?"
"No. Professor Hartman said the time limit is strict."
"Right." She smiled awkwardly. "Cool shirt, by the way."
Noah didn't respond. He turned away before she could say anything else.
When the clock finally hit zero, most students had already put their pens down. A few lingered, scribbling last thoughts in panic as Noah moved down the aisles with a large manila envelope, signaling them to turn in their papers.
One by one, the answer sheets were stacked neatly inside. His movements were precise. He didn't want any of them brushing against his gloves.
Once the room emptied, Noah lingered for a moment, scanning the room for stray papers, discarded pens, or crumpled tissues. He exhaled slowly.
Not bad for a first task.
With the envelope securely tucked under his arm, he stepped out into the hallway. The fluorescent lights buzzed faintly, making his head throb. He adjusted his mask and headed to the faculty office.
Elias Hartman glanced at the clock, tapping his pen lightly against the desk. The exam should've just ended. If Noah was even half as meticulous as he looked—
[Click]
The double doors opened.
Elias looked up and blinked.
Noah stood at the entrance like someone about to walk into a high-contamination zone. Latex gloves. Surgical mask.
All he was missing was a hazmat suit.
Elias blinked again, leaning slightly back. "Well, if it isn't the campus hazmat team."
Noah ignored the comment. His steps were quick and purposeful, like he wanted to be in and out before anyone could breathe on him. Without a word, he placed the envelope on Elias's desk.
"No cheating. All clean," Noah said, voice muffled.
"I had no doubt," Elias replied, eyeing the envelope with faint amusement. "Did you disinfect that thing before or after collecting the papers?"
Noah paused. "Does it matter?"
"Not really." Elias's tone shifted slightly. "Have a seat, Noah. Let's talk."
Noah hesitated, then sat down. He wanted to spray the chair with disinfectant, but he didn't want to look rude.
But then, the faculty office door opened again.
Elias looked up as Anne Harper walked in, her steps brisk and confident. A coffee cup in one hand, tablet in the other. She looked tired, but somehow still came off put-together.
Then she saw Noah.
And stopped walking.
"Noah Sinclair?" she said, visibly thrown.
Noah, halfway up from his seat, froze. He turned his head slowly, eyes bored behind the mask.
"Yeah," he replied. "Hi. Professor Harper."
Elias looked between them. "Wait, you two know each other?"
Anne didn't look away from Noah. "He's in one of my classes." Then to Elias, "He's your new TA?"
"Started today," Elias confirmed.
Anne raised an eyebrow at Noah. "You sure about this?"
Noah met her eyes without flinching. "I don't think you're the one who gets to ask that."
A short silence fell over the room. Not hostile, but thick.
Anne sighed and walked to her desk which unfortunately right next to Elias's. She placed her coffee down a little harder than necessary..
"I was just surprised," she murmured.
Elias leaned back in his chair. "If it helps, he's efficient. Forty-three test papers and half the room sanitized in under five minutes."
Noah didn't respond. He stood.
"If you're done with the discussion, I'll get going."
Elias gave a short nod. "Sure, go ahead, Sinclair."
Once Noah was gone, Elias turned to Anne. "You said he's one of your students, but… you two seem closer than that."
Anne looked at Elias. "Well… he's the one who reported the harassment incident last week."
"He did what?!" Elias's voice rose.
"Shhh! Are you insane? Keep your voice down," Anne hissed.
Elias leaned forward, eyes sharp. "I wouldn't have given him the job if I knew that. Should I fire him?"
Anne shook her head. "Please don't. It's fine now. We've cleared things up."
"You sure?"
"Yes." She nodded with more conviction this time.
Elias sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Should I give him some nightmare assignments just in case?" he muttered, half-joking.
Anne chuckled. "Sure. Make him suffer."
What she didn't realize… Elias took it as permission.
~~~~~
[DING DONG]
No answer.
[DING DONG]
[DING DONG]
"What?! What do you want?!" Noah snapped, eyes narrowing as he opened the door.
Standing outside was Anne, eyes red, cheeks damp.
"H-Hey…"
Noah's expression shifted from annoyed to confused. "What... happened to you?"
Anne sniffled, unable to speak.
"Anne?" Noah hesitated, halfway ready to close the door.
Was this... a ghost?
A chill ran down his spine. But just as he started to shut the door, Anne spoke.
"There were… cockroaches in my apartment. A lot of them. I think they're nesting. I just, I hate them." Her voice cracked. "I'm terrified of roaches!"
Noah froze.
"…Didn't you call the landlord?"
"It's 2 AM. They'll come at 7."
She looked up at him with pleading eyes. "Can I just stay here for the night? I'll sleep on the floor, I swear."
Noah stared in horror. "I… I can't. Sorry."
He closed the door.
Stay the night? Is she insane?
He sat on the couch, wide awake. He decided to watch some TV until he sleepy, then a few minutes passed. But there's a strange noise from the hallway.
Who's talking outside at this hour? Anne?
He rushed to the peephole. Anne sat on the floor, two guys pulling at her arms. She looked distressed.
[CLICK.]
Noah opened the door and stepped out. "Is there a problem here?"
One guy glanced over. "She's our friend. She's drunk. We're taking her home, but she's acting up."
"Where does she live?" Noah asked.
The man hesitated. "End of the hall."
Wrong.
"Drop her. I know her. She's my friend." Noah's voice was firm.
"What? You just said you didn't know her."
"I lied. Leave now or I'll call the police."
Noah's height and build made the threat convincing. The guys backed off, one of them grumbling.
Then suddenly,
[Pssst!] he spray to Noah's face.
Noah blocked it with his arm, punching the guy square in the chest. The can fell. They ran.
Noah picked up the spray can, then turned to Anne, limp in the hallway.
He hesitated at first, but finally he carried her inside and gently laid her on the couch.
"Anne? Are you okay?"
No response.
Noah grabbed the spray can and inspected it.
"…What the hell is this?"