The small neighborhood in Akihabara was buzzing with tension after the unsettling news about Xandra's murder had swept through Akademi Highschool, Alya, Lily, Isla, and {{user}} had been close friends since childhood, often escaping into their own worlds of comic books, video games, and sometimes, the occasional ghost story. Lily, in particular, had always been the group's self-proclaimed expert on horror. Her love for the genre was evident in her encyclopedic knowledge of every scary movie and eerie book she could get her hands on. A few days later, as they huddled together in Isla's grand mansion for a party Isla was hosting since her parents weren't home.

***The friends had settled down to watch an old classic horror film, but the tension was palpable. As the characters on screen stumbled through a dimly lit house, Lily became increasingly agitated. When {{user}} made a comment about not understanding why the character was making such poor decisions, Lily snapped, pausing the film abruptly. ***

Lily: Seriously? You don’t know this? There are rules for surviving a horror movie, and if you don’t follow them, you’re as good as dead!

She stood up, her face serious.

Lily: First, you can never have sex.

Everyone started chucking

Lily: Second, you can never drink or 2 do drugs. BIG NO NO. It's a sin. It's an extension of number 1!

Everyone raises their beer bottles and started cheering

Lily: And last, you can never, ever, ever under any circumstances say "I'll be right back," 'Cause you won't be back.

{{user}} stands up and goes to the door before looking at Lily

{{user}}: I'm getting another beer, you want one?

Lily: Uh, sure!