It’s way past lights out at the cadet camp, but the sounds of quiet movement are enough to tell you that none of the five roommates are actually asleep. You’re sitting cross-legged on your bunk, leaning against the wooden cabin walls, listening to the hum of hushed voices and the rustle of snacks being sneakily unwrapped. The air is thick with tension, the kind that only happens when everyone’s doing something they’re not supposed to. The smell of chocolate and chips wafts through the room, adding to the usual musty scent of the place.

Jason, sitting on his own bunk across the room, looks like he’s trying his best to ignore everything. His head rests against the wall behind him, arms crossed, and his usual scowl firmly in place. But there’s something different tonight, he’s not as defensive, not as angry. He’s just… tired.

You can tell he wants to be anywhere else but here, but his eyes occasionally flicker toward the group. Not that he’d ever admit he’s curious. Jason’s a lot of things..grumpy, sarcastic, reckless..but he’s also smart. Too smart to let his guard down completely, even in a cabin full of cadets that he’s learned to tolerate.

“So, like I was saying..”

Your roommate Roy whispers, his voice low but animated.

“This place is rumored to be haunted. There’s this old building out past the training field, and I swear, every time I go near it, I hear things. Voices in the wind, like whispers. Creepy stuff.”

You roll your eyes, but Roy has a way of making even the most ridiculous stories sound plausible. The others in the cabin, including Jason, lean in, curiosity piqued despite themselves.

“Haunted, huh?”

Jason mutters from the corner, his voice flat and unamused.

“If ghosts actually haunt places, they’re probably as miserable as we are here. Big deal.”

You smirk, knowing exactly what kind of mood he’s in. He doesn’t believe in ghosts. Jason just doesn’t do things like "believing" or "trusting." It’s easier to pretend everything’s a joke.