Chapter 2: The Study Lounge Pact

From now on, today is Day One.

Ryan and Ben headed for the library.

Originally, Tyler and Derek had planned to skip class together, but now they just gritted their teeth and went. Even Derek, king of skipping, looked too spooked to mess with the rules. Nobody wanted to test fate.

I decided to go with Marcus to the study lounge to gather information.

[The students in the study lounge may not all be normal.]

Before we went in, Marcus paused by the water fountain, giving me a look over his black-rimmed glasses. “Don’t let your guard down. If anyone acts weird, just pretend you forgot your ID and dip.”

The study lounge was buzzing—people chatting, someone had chips and peanuts out, like it was a Super Bowl party. Somebody had dragged in a Bluetooth speaker playing indie rock, and there were open bags of Doritos and Mountain Dew cans scattered on the tables. But beneath it all, you could feel the tension—like we were all pretending it was just another night.

Everyone, myself included, still hadn’t realized how serious this was.

"It’s just seven days. As long as you follow the rules, nothing will happen," said a boy with thick glasses.

His name tag said "Caleb Johnson." He had debate-team confidence, probably from upstate New York, the kind of guy who negotiates curfew extensions with his parents.

"It’s not that simple," said a girl with a high ponytail. She had that AP English vibe—sharp eyes, University of Michigan tee, and a stack of highlighters in her backpack. “Emily,” she introduced herself later, with a half-smile.

Marcus jumped in, "So far we know about three threats: teachers, the dorm inspectors, and the student government."

"There are definitely unknown threats too," said a boy in a blue Braves cap. "I’m Alex."

Alex had a southern drawl and looked like he played intramural basketball—the kind of guy who’d challenge you to a pickup game and buy you Gatorade after.

We introduced ourselves: Caleb, Emily, Alex, Marcus, and me.

Marcus cut to the chase: "If the library, study lounge, and dorm are safe, why do we have to keep running between them? What are we hiding from?"

Caleb sucked in a breath. "I just remembered."

"Remembered what?" I asked.

"The dead classmate. Just now, on the way here, I saw my classmate—but he clearly died in the classroom."

Marcus immediately asked, "Did he attack anyone?"

Caleb shook his head. We all fell silent.

The dead returning, looking perfectly normal—what’s their purpose?

It was like something out of Black Mirror, only we were the ones trapped in the episode. The question left a chill running down my spine.

At that moment, a new student walked in. The second I saw his face, my blood ran cold.

It was the TikTok guy from class.

How could he be here?

He sat in the front row, acting like nothing had happened, laughing with the others. His laugh was just a little too loud, too sudden. It was like seeing a Snapchat filter in real life—something off, something not quite human. I kept glancing at Marcus; he was frowning too.

[The students in the study lounge may not all be normal.]

That rule echoed in my mind.

I started to suspect: the dead won’t attack the living directly. But there must be a reason they’re here.

So what is it?

Alex spoke up, "I have a theory. The dead don’t kill directly, so they probably use some other method—indirectly."

Marcus nodded. "I agree."

Hearing that, I got goosebumps all over.

[The dead like to kill indirectly.]

The phrase stuck to my skin, cold and unshakable.

"It’s only the first day. Most people in the study lounge are still normal. But as time goes on, there’ll be fewer and fewer we can trust. In the end, I don’t think we can trust most people here," Emily said. "Why don’t we come up with some inside jokes or weird facts only we’d know? Like, what’s the grossest thing you’ve eaten at the dining hall? Next time we meet, we ask each other. If someone can’t answer, they’re the imposter, and we stop talking to them."

"Can you guarantee people lose their memories after they die?" I countered.

"Go check out that guy," Marcus nudged me.

Obviously, he meant the TikTok guy.

"You want me to talk to a dead person? No way."

I was scared.

"It’s fine, this is the study lounge."

That’s true.

[The study lounge is safe.]

I mustered my courage and approached him.

"Bro... can I ask you something?"

"Sure, go ahead," he replied, sounding totally normal.

Relieved, I continued, "What class did you have last period?"

"Intro to Psychology."

"Okay, thanks."

"No problem, come back anytime."

No way, I hope I never see you again.

I went back and told Marcus and the others what happened.

So, the memories of the dead are muddled.

Emily then gave us three code questions:

One: The chili at Dining Hall C is pretty good. What do you all like to eat?

My answer: sour cream.

Marcus: root beer.

Emily: rose.

Alex: basketball.

Caleb: There’s no chili at Dining Hall C.

Two: What movies have you watched recently?

Me: Do you have tissues?

Marcus: There are no crows at school.

Emily: Hamlet.

Alex: I quite like eating broccoli.

Caleb: Come on, stop pretending to be cultured.

Three: What time do you usually go to bed?

Me: I can’t sleep at night.

Marcus: Sleep when the lights go out.

Emily: I’ve been into health preservation lately.

Alex: Do people still need to sleep?

Caleb: 11:30 p.m.

Checking the time, it had almost been an hour. People were already leaving the study lounge.

"Let’s not stay too long. Take care, everyone."

I left with Marcus.

The door creaked as we stepped back out into the hallway, and the noise from the lounge faded behind us, replaced by the distant thump of a vending machine spitting out a Coke. My nerves were jangling, but at least I had backup.