So I shamelessly said, “But I’m scared.”
To be fair, I had been genuinely terrified earlier, but now I was mostly acting.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Aaron’s expression grow even stranger. Even so, he still didn’t push me away.
Clinging to him, I told him everything that had happened. “Maybe someone was just pulling a prank. Honestly, there are no real ghosts. I’m a firm believer in science.”
Aaron replied calmly, “Probably. Someone must have done it on purpose to scare you.”
“That is so messed up.” I fumed.
He gave me a faint, unreadable smile. “And what exactly were you doing out here?”
“I came to look for a key,” I admitted. “They said the dorm manager has it.”
Aaron looked at me for a long moment, his eyes full of meaning. “Then go get it.”
I tightened my grip on his arm immediately. “But what if someone jumps out and scares me again? Can you come with me? Please?”
I played it up. He didn’t walk me back, so I kept clutching his sleeve like a koala.
He finally had no choice but to walk me toward the dorm.
That was when I glanced at my watch. It read 11:56 p.m.
My stomach dropped. The girls had said I had to be back before midnight or the doors wouldn’t reopen.
I grabbed Aaron’s hand and sprinted toward the building.
By the time we reached the dorm, I was gasping for air. The entrance was still open.
I checked my watch again. It was 12:03.
“Thank goodness,” I said, patting my chest. “Mrs. Lawson must have forgotten to lock it. I’m really lucky tonight.”
Then I remembered the key.
I hurried to the dorm manager’s door and knocked politely. “Mrs. Lawson, I need a key. Do you have a special one in there?”
I didn’t notice the strange smile on Aaron’s face.
He spoke lazily. “Mrs. Lawson, she wants it. Just toss her the key.”
A small gap opened in the door. A red key slid out and dropped to the floor.
I snatched it up, delighted. “Mrs. Lawson, you’re amazing. Thank you so much.”
One million secured.
What a beautiful surprise.
Inside the room, the dorm manager said nothing.
What I didn’t see was that Mrs. Lawson no longer looked human at all. The kind, cheerful woman from earlier now stood without a head, blood dripping down her neck.
I waved to Aaron and headed back to my room.
But no matter how hard I knocked, the three girls inside refused to open the door. They insisted I was a ghost trying to trick them.
“Have none of you ever taken a science class? You really don’t believe in materialism? There are no ghosts in this world.”
They still refused.
With no other choice, I went to room 206 across the hall. It was empty, so I slept there instead.
The next morning, when I walked out, the three girls looked at me as if they had actually seen a ghost.
“How did you get back? Did you get the key?”
“Nope.”
I wasn’t stupid enough to show off my newfound wealth.
Lily stared at me, clearly conflicted. “You really are… lucky.”
I ignored them. After last night, I had no desire to keep living with them anyway. I grabbed my things and officially moved into room 206.
The next day, I headed to class.
Aaron was already in his seat, reading.
I held up a bag of snacks I had bought and trotted over to him. “Good morning, Aaron.”
Unlike before, he actually looked up at me.
“Want some snacks?”
His voice was cool and crisp. “No.”
