Jay woke slowly, the room dim and quiet. For a moment she didn't remember where she was—until she felt warmth beside her.
She opened her eyes.
Keifer was already awake.
And staring at her.
His face was calm, soft, almost peaceful… until he realized she was looking back.
He blinked fast and immediately turned his head away, pretending to adjust the blanket.
"I wasn't staring," he said quickly.
Jay raised an eyebrow. "You totally were."
"I was… checking if you were breathing," he said, trying to sound serious.
Jay laughed softly. "Sure."
The clock on the wall showed 6:00 a.m. The hallway outside was silent—no whispers, no footsteps, no cold voices calling her name.
Jay sat up slowly. "The noises stopped."
Keifer nodded. "They usually do at sunrise."
She rubbed her eyes. "I should go back to my dorm. If my friends wake up and I'm not there, they'll panic."
Keifer stood too, running a hand through his messy hair. "I'll walk you."
Jay shook her head. "It's okay. It's safe now."
He hesitated, then stepped closer. "Jay."
She looked up.
Before she could think, before she could talk herself out of it, she wrapped her arms around him.
A full, tight hug.
Keifer froze for half a second—then his arms came around her, warm and steady.
"Thank you," Jay whispered into his shoulder. "For keeping me safe."
His voice was low, almost a whisper. "Always."
Jay pulled back slowly, cheeks warm, heart racing. Keifer's eyes softened in a way she wasn't used to seeing—gentle, protective, almost… relieved.
"I'll see you later," she said.
He nodded. "You better."
Jay opened the door and stepped into the quiet hallway. The morning light made everything look normal again, like the night hadn't tried to swallow her whole.
She walked quickly, clutching the water bottle, her heart still beating too fast.
When she reached her dorm door, she took a deep breath.