The Spire

Lauren Poltorak ‘26

One With the Darkness

Welcome to the Hill, Class of 2027! I’m sure you’re all very excited to get your first taste of college life here at Holy Cross. By now, you’ve all acclimated to dorm living, settled into the rush of classes, and made wonderful friendships that I’m sure will last well past your college years. However, in the short time that you’ve been here you may have noticed a strange phenomenon around campus. Maybe you’ve heard scurrying above the ceiling tiles in your rooms, or seen something slipping into the dimly-lit areas of Dinand, or perhaps even felt the penetrating gaze of something as you walked back to your room at night. If you’ve ever felt alarmed by these occurrences, don’t worry! These are all the typical behaviors of the Night Demons. 

The Night Demons have been an integral part of campus life here at Holy Cross since its founding. These mysterious creatures tend to keep to the shadows, only coming out during the darkest hours of the night. Not much is known about their appearance, but most people report them as gigantic, wiry beings with scythe-like claws and red, glowing eyes. It can be quite unnerving living alongside the Night Demons given their eerie demeanor. That is why I have collected a few tips on how to exist harmoniously with these creatures and have the best college experience here on the Hill!

1. Don’t be afraid!

The Night Demons are a quintessential part of your Holy Cross experience, so if you wake up in the middle of the night to one of them gnawing at your ankle, don’t be scared! These guys have been here with us at Holy Cross for years, so do keep in mind that they’re just as much a part of the college community as you are. Also, it’s important to keep an open mind when living with the Night Demons. If you are woken up in the middle of the night by the blood curdling howls of a Night Demon in your walls–relax! Perhaps this is just its way of expressing feelings. Perhaps they also share in any feelings of homesickness and loneliness you may have. If that’s the case, try to have an open dialogue with it. Deep down, behind the blood curdling screams, you can reach an understanding! 

2. Leave an offering

Much like us, the Night Demons love receiving gifts, particularly food. A meaningful present can help strengthen the bond between you and any Night Demon you may encounter. They tend to enjoy live offerings. The birds, squirrels, or chipmunks you see around campus are great options to choose for a sacrifice. A quick slice to the back of the neck should ensure that it’s in perfect condition to be offered. If you seek to forge a strong and lasting bond with a Night Demon, larger sacrifices are needed. Some good examples would be the annoying people who blast music in the halls, any professors you don’t like, or even troublesome roommates. Everyone I know who has a strong bond with a Night Demon has at least sacrificed one human life!

Offerings are also necessary to prevent any unwanted attacks from the Night Demons. They are naturally ravenous creatures, so if you don’t give your Night Demon enough sacrifices, it may get too hungry and decide to eat you instead. A good friend of mine last year was torn in half by a Night Demon after she didn’t give it enough offerings, so make sure you keep up with their gifts.

3. Do NOT look them directly in the eyes

Their blood-red eyes and piercing gaze may be hard to resist, (I admit I can get entranced by their gaze every once in a while), but don’t let them pull you in! It is estimated that about 10% of the freshman class go missing every year due to Night Demon-related incidents. They’re mostly caused by innocent freshmen being lured to a Night Demon’s hypnotizing gaze and being taken to the Shadow Dimension where they are never heard from again. The few who have looked a Night Demon in the eyes and survived report an overwhelming sense of horror as disturbing images of the end of the world and the destruction of humanity rushed through their minds without end. Another friend of mine reported to me that the Night Demon told him exactly when and how he would die. It turned out to be accurate.

4. Remember who the campus really belongs to

We are not native to this world. In those times, times unknown to mankind, the Shadow Folk ruled the Earth. From the darkness, they stalked their prey, striking only in the dead of night. Upon the corpses of the living they created their vast dominion, and no living creature dared walk the Earth out of a reverent fear for their masters. That was until mysterious beings–beings who wielded light–descended upon the land. In their hubris, they used their light to cast the Shadow Folk into the darkest corners of the world, shunned and isolated. For countless millennia, the beings who wielded light established their own kingdoms upon the remains of the Shadow Folk’s dominion. The descendants of the exiled Shadow Folk became known as the Night Demons, and the descendants of the light-wielders became us, humanity. 

So next time you shun a Night Demon out of fear or distrust, just know that we are the ones that cast them from their home, and that they’re only trying to reclaim what is rightfully theirs. And do remember: the Night Demons have existed since long before the rise of mankind, and they will continue existing for millennia after our rapidly-approaching demise.

5. Be yourself!

Of course, the most important rule of all when it comes to living with the Night Demons is to be yourself! No one likes it when someone pretends to be someone they’re not, especially the Night Demons. In fact, Night Demons are capable of reading human minds, so if you think you have a Night Demon convinced you’re cooler than you really are, think again. Those who fake their personalities have a much higher chance of being mutilated by a Night Demon during their time here. Embracing your authentic self is the only way to ensure that you aren’t torn limb from limb in your sleep by a Night Demon.

And those are all the tips about surviving the Night Demons that I wish I had known during my freshman year. I sincerely hope that my advice is helpful to you all. The Night Demons are creatures that we are capable of coexisting with without fear as long as we stay respectful and remember who our true masters are. When humanity no longer walks the Earth, the Night Demons who were treated with respect will carry on our name. Roll Saders!