I walked to Sumana's dorm and knocked on the door. Surprisingly, it wasn't locked and slid open, but I could've sworn I heard someone else's voice.

Ashlyn: Sumana?

I walked into the room and found Sumana on her bed. She saw me and smiled.

Sumana: Hey Ash!

Ashlyn: Hey, what're you doing? You're not tied up anymore-

Sumana: Yea, I used my other hand to undo the knot. It's all good now.

Ashlyn: Oh uh, you okay?

Sumana: Yea! I'm great.

Ashlyn: Was there anyone here before me? I'm sure I heard you talking to someone-

Sumana: No? I think you were hallucinating or something, there's no one here.

Ashlyn: Oh. Well, get some sleep. You're probably tired.

Sumana: Yea, thanks for checking up on me.

Ashlyn: No problem, goodnight. Stay safe.

I walked out of Sumana's room and she locked the door behind me. I headed up to my room, looking forward to a good night's sleep.

As soon as I entered and locked the door behind me, I lay on the bed and fell asleep.

...

...

...

When I opened my eyes, I saw a yellow hallway, the same fluorescent lights on the ceiling. In my ears, a familiar eerie buzz, and my eyes all fuzzy, unable to see in HD quality.

Not this again.

I realised I was sitting on the floor and stood up shakily, walking slowly down the hallway. Junko had once said that three people would come here every night, so who are the other two?

And then, as I approached the first door on my right, I heard voices.

They were soft and muffled, as if I was hearing them from under the water. I walked to the door and tried to open it, but it was jammed shut. I realised the people on the inside didn't realise I was outside, and they continued to talk. So I leaned in closer to the door to maybe hear the conversation.

???: And you're sure if we do this, it'll all be okay?

???: Yes! Everything!

???: What if I regret this? What if I don't see them?

???: It'll be fine! You always overthink these things and you're not doing any better now! Just put it-

???: Okay is this good?

???: Yes now hurry I need to-

Suddenly, I felt my foot slip underneath me, and I fell head first into the door, creating a very loud bumping noise.

???: What was that?

???: It's the third person! Hide!

???: But you said they weren't gonna- Hey!

Ashlyn: Who's in there? Hello?

Having enough, I used my foot to kick open the door. On the floor was a step stool, and as I looked up, Sumana looked down at me, eyes wide, head looped through a hanging noose.

Sumana: Ashlyn?

Just as I was about to reach out my hand to grab her, I fell down and into the warm jelly I was so familiar with.

Speakers: Good morning students! It is now 7am! Get up and have a beeaautiful day!

I darted up in cold sweat, sprawled across the bed, comforter tossed to the side.

The memories of the dream came flooding back.

Was that real?

I sighed.

Only one way to find out.

I quickly slipped on my shoes and ran out my room and to Sumana's, starting to pound on the door and shouting her name.

Ashlyn: Sumana! You okay? Sumana?

No answer.

I pounded on the door a few more times, then twisted the door handle only to realise it was unlocked this whole time. I walked in slowly and saw...

Sumana sleeping peacefully in her bed.

Her room was a complete mess, with a blanket thrown over the table, books on the floor, and everything else scattered everywhere. But Sumana didn't seem to mind, she was sleeping way too well. I guess it wasn't a real dream.

Mind at ease, I walked out of the room and closed the door behind me, making sure to be as quiet as I could. And just when I turned my back to leave...

I heard a click behind me.

I swiveled back to the door and tried to open it, it was locked.

But Sumana's asleep...

She couldn't have run so fast to the door, I literally saw her fast asleep.

So it couldn't be Sumana.

But if it wasn't Sumana who locked it?

Unless...

There's someone else inside.

I pounded on the door even more. Now I knew who was the one talking to Sumana in the dream.

Ashlyn: Sumana! SUMANA OPEN THE DOOR-

But there was no use, she wasn't opening it.

I need to get help.

I ran to the food court. Not many people were there except Chloe, Rachel, Hanako and Yu Xuan.

Chloe: Hey Ash! You're early today-

Ashlyn: Sumana- She's in danger-

Rachel: What?

Ashlyn: Someone is going to kill her- The dream world- Something-

Yu Xuan: Hey, chill. Just calm down and tell us what happened.

I told them about everything that happened, the dream, the noose, the door...

Hanako: Someone is in Sumana's room???

Rachel: But Sumana has a strong arm I'm sure she can-

Chloe: I don't think it's of much use in the dream world.

Yu Xuan: Ahhh, what're we going to do though??? The door is locked.

Ashlyn: What if we entered the dream world?

Chloe: The dream world can only hold three people at a time, and if Sumana and the other person are in there, only one of us can go. That's way too dangerous.

Hanako: So what do we do??? Just let Sumana die?

Chloe: It's either we keep our lives and let her die, or we could all die.

Rachel: I guess it better if less people died...

Hanako: No, when is this going to end? I'm so sick of watching our friends die and not being able to do anything about it. It's like every time something suspicious is happening we brush it off like it's nothing, and a murder happens.

Hanako: Every time we find the murderer, we have to willingly let them get executed, even though they were our friends too. I'm so tired of all this, I feel so guilty just letting people go like this, because they had lives, they had dreams just like every one of us and now that'll never happen just because of our incompetence.

Everyone looked down in silence. Hanako was right, we couldn't keep letting people die like this, but it's just not possible right now-

Hanako: I'm not going to let Sumana die like we let everyone else. My conscience can't handle it anymore.

Ashlyn: What?

Hanako touched the screen of her wristband and said her words.

Hanako: Please, Hanako.

And just like that, she collapsed onto the ground, fast asleep.