Across the city, in Sophie's apartment, the same forum post was glowing on a different screen.
Claire Reid was curled up on the living room sofa, phone in hand, scrolling through the comment section with an expression that had gradually shifted from casual interest to genuine alarm. The post had been trending for hours now, and the narrative had hardened into something that read less like campus gossip and more like a public indictment.
She set the phone down and looked toward the bedroom, where Sophie was sitting cross-legged on her bed, reviewing notes for a class she had in the morning.
"Sophie."
Claire's voice carried the careful, measured tone of a friend about to say something she knew wouldn't be well received.
"Have you seen what's going on with the forum?"
"I've seen it," Sophie said, without looking up.
