Leave Lily's Dorm

I can feel the weight of the lockbox, as well as the flash drive digging into my pocket as I step over the broken floorboards. I don't know what I'll do with it all, but one thing is for sure, I'm not about to let Lily's memory fade into oblivion. I glance at the time, realizing I've been here for way too long. Time to go.

I make my way towards the door, but not before taking one last look around the room. There's something about it that seems to mock me. My heart skips a beat as I hear the telltale creak of the door opening ever so slightly. A cold, uneasy feeling creeps up my spine, and I hold my breath, waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Suddenly, a gloved hand appears, holding an old, decorative glass oil lamp. It seems to burn brightly as the hand flings it into the room. Time almost seems to slow down, as I watch the lamp sail through the air, my eyes fixed on it as it arcs towards the center of the room. In a deafening explosion, the lamp shatters, sending glass fragments flying in every direction.

The walls are instantly engulfed in flames, the intense heat radiating outward, as if to consume everything in its path. The room that was cold and dark moments ago is now filled with the roar of the inferno. I run for the door, but it won't budge, as if someone is barring from the other side. Someone strong.

The gravity of the situation sinks in as I realize I'm trapped. Panic threatens to take over, but I cling to the tiniest glimmer of hope. All I can do is crouch down, shielding my face from the swirling clouds of thick, acrid smoke as I desperately search for a way out. My chest constricts as I start to **** on the smoke.

I start to crawl, keeping low to the ground, out of the smoke. Each second that ticks by feels like an eternity, as the fire grows in strength and the smoke thickens. My lungs burn and my eyes sting, but I push through the pain. I frantically search for a means of escape, praying that I can find it before it's too late.

I feel the heat closing in, the flames licking at the walls, and the thick smoke starting to consume the room. The intensity of the fire seems to surge with every passing second, and I can feel the floor starting to warp under the heat. The fire roars like a beast. I reach the window, my hands feeling around for the latch.

There is none. It's meant to deter suicide. I laugh despite everything. I know I'm on the third story, but there's no time left to think this through. With all my strength, I hurl myself through the window. The glass shatters around me and I feel the sharp edges of the glass tear at my clothes and flesh.

Then gravity takes over. The seconds seem to drag on, my body tumbling through the air, and I brace for impact. The ground rushes up to meet me, and my body slams against the ground. Pain crashes through my body, and I can't help but gasp for air, my lungs struggling to take in fresh oxygen.

Lying there, dazed and in pain, I manage to raise my head to look back at the window. The fire has spread rapidly, licking up the wall. I hear sirens in the distance and fire alarms closer. Students start to file out of the building, soaking wet. I wonder why the sprinkler system in Lily's room didn't engage.

As the sirens grow louder, I **** myself to sit up, wincing as the pain in my body flares up. As I stagger to my feet, my body aching from the fall, I can't shake the eerie feeling that I'm being watched. I look around, my eyes scanning the surroundings, and my eyes pick out an old groundskeeper with a long, white beard. He's staring at me from atop a nearby hill.

There's something about his gaze that frightens me. I can't quite put my finger on it, but it's enough to send a shiver down my spine. The moment our eyes meet, he ducks back behind the hill, disappearing from view. I am in no condition to pursue him.

I need to get out of here and tend to my injuries. I hobble away, trying to keep a low profile as I disappear into the night. I'm thankful to have a vehicle nearby, as my body is protesting with every step. I reach my truck, unlocking it and throwing myself into the driver's seat. As I drive, the events of the past hour seem overwhelming.