The mixer had become louder than anyone had expected.
What had started as a simple gathering in Room 208 had gradually turned into a crowded, untidy evening of conversation, laughter, and music.
Chairs had been pushed against the walls to make room, and empty cups covered nearly every available surface.
Marco rubbed the back of his neck.
He had been trying to introduce Corvin and Aisha to two people for several minutes, but every attempt had been interrupted.
Now, finally, there was a gap.
"Right," he said. "Before someone else interrupts me—this is Dimitri, and this is Mei Lin."
The tall, pale boy beside him straightened.
"My... my name is Dimitri Volkonsky."
He extended a hand toward Corvin.
"Nice... to meet you."
Corvin shook it.
"Corvin Kovač. Nice to meet you."
Dimitri's accent was unmistakable.
Aisha noticed immediately.
Definitely Russian.
She turned toward the girl beside him.
Mei Lin stood with her hands loosely clasped in front of her, watching the room with an almost unreadable expression. Unlike everyone else, she didn't seem bothered by the silence around her.
"Zhao Mei Lin," she said.
A brief pause.
"Nice to meet you."
And nothing more.
Aisha blinked.
"Well..." she murmured. "She's concise."
Mei Lin looked at her.
"Is that a problem?"
Aisha grinned.
"No. I kind of respect it."
Marco smiled.
"Good. We're making progress."
He opened his mouth to continue.
"Drinks!"
Priya swept through the room carrying several bottles.
She handed them out without asking whether anyone wanted one.
"Welcome gifts."
Corvin accepted a bottle.
"Thanks."
Priya nodded.
"Excellent. Now we're friends."
Corvin stared at her.
Aisha laughed.
"You work fast."
"I don't like wasting time."
Before Aisha could answer, the door opened again.
Chase walked in with a guitar case hanging from his shoulder.
Priya's eyes immediately narrowed.
"Finally! There you are. You're late, Chase."
Chase looked apologetic.
"I was practising. I kind of... lost track of time."
Aisha laughed.
"It happens."
Priya folded her arms.
"I figured. That's why I asked Astrid to call you."
Chase lifted the guitar case.
"As compensation..."
He opened it slightly.
"I brought this."
Priya's expression brightened.
"For what?"
"For some fun later."
That was enough.
A few people immediately started asking him to play.
Chase laughed.
"Maybe after I get a drink."
The hours slipped by.
The mixer stopped feeling like an event and started feeling like the beginning of something none of them had planned.
Chase played.
People sang.
Priya somehow turned individual conversations into group conversations.
Marco drifted between everyone, pulling quieter people into discussions before they could disappear into the background.
Astrid kept making sure everyone had something to eat.
Aisha talked loudly enough that people across the room occasionally looked over.
Mei Lin mostly listened.
Dimitri spoke carefully whenever someone addressed him, sometimes pausing to find the right English word.
And Corvin watched.
Not because he disliked them. Quite the opposite. He was trying to understand them.
The way people spoke. The things they avoided. Who listened to whom. Who naturally took charge and who quietly followed.
Small things. But they were usually more honest.
Eventually, the Dorm Director Alex Augilar appeared in the doorway.
The conversation died down.
He surveyed the room glancing toward the furniture, bottles, guitar, and finally the clock.
"Orientation starts at eight-thirty."
Several people immediately checked their phones.
"You should probably get some sleep."
Nobody argued.
The room gradually emptied.
Mei Lin was among the first to leave.
She stopped beside Priya.
"Thank you for inviting me."
Priya smiled.
"Anytime."
Mei Lin gave a small nod and left.
One by one, the others followed.
Eventually, only Priya, Aisha, and Marco remained.
Priya began collecting cups.
"You two can go. I'll finish this."
Aisha picked up several cups.
"You invited everyone. We're helping."
Marco joined her.
"She has a point."
Priya looked between them.
"Fine."
She didn't argue.
Corvin stepped into the hallway.
The noise from Room 208 faded behind him as he walked toward the stairs.
Then he stopped.
Someone stood at the far end of the corridor.
The same guy.
The one who had bothered Astrid earlier.
Corvin watched him.
The boy noticed and their eyes met.
For a moment, neither moved.
Then the boy looked away and continued down the hallway.
Corvin waited until he disappeared around the corner.
Nothing had happened and there was no obvious reason to be concerned.
Still, something felt wrong.
Not fear rather unease.
Corvin took out his phone and called Aisha.
She answered after a few rings.
"What's up?"
"I just saw the guy who was bothering Astrid."
A pause.
"Where?"
"In the hallway."
"Did he do anything?"
"No."
"Then why are you calling?"
Corvin glanced toward the empty corridor.
"I don't know."
He hated that answer.
"I just have a bad feeling."
Aisha was quiet.
"Okay. I'll check on Astrid."
"Thanks."
"Get some sleep, detective."
The call ended.
Corvin remained in the hallway for another moment.
Then he went to bed.
Aisha finished helping Priya clean before heading to Astrid's room.
She knocked on Astrid's door.
No answer.
She tried again.
Still nothing.
Aisha pulled out her phone and called.
Straight to voicemail.
Her eyebrows drew together.
Then she remembered the small shop across from Favilla Hall. Astrid had mentioned wanting something earlier.
Aisha headed outside.
The campus had quieted considerably.
The noise of the mixer was gone, replaced by the distant hum of traffic and the occasional voice from another residence hall.
She crossed toward the shop.
Before she reached the entrance, she heard raised voices.
Aisha stopped.
Then hurried around the corner.
Astrid was standing near the shop.
Three boys were nearby.
One of them was the same boy who had harassed Astrid earlier.
Aisha's expression hardened.
She walked toward them.
"Back off."
All three turned.
One of them laughed.
"Mind your own business."
Aisha stepped between them and Astrid.
"She is my business."
Astrid looked at her.
"Aisha—"
"Stay behind me."
The first boy moved closer.
"What's your problem?"
"You."
He reached toward her.
Aisha shoved his hand away.
"Back off."
The boy swore and stepped forward again.
Aisha pushed him back.
One of the others moved in from the side.
She turned just in time to block him, but the sudden movement threw her off balance.
Someone grabbed her shoulder.
Aisha twisted free and stumbled backward.
"Run!"
She caught Astrid's hand.
Astrid hesitated for half a second before following.
Behind them, someone shouted.
They ran.
Neither spoke until they reached Favilla Hall.
Aisha stopped outside Astrid's room, breathing heavily.
"Get inside."
Astrid unlocked the door.
Aisha waited.
"Lock it."
"I will."
"And don't open it for anyone you don't know."
Astrid hesitated.
Then looked at Aisha.
"You're hurt."
Aisha glanced down.
"I'm fine."
"You're sure?"
"Yeah."
Astrid still looked unconvinced.
Aisha softened.
"Really. I'm okay."
Astrid nodded and closed the door.
Aisha stood outside for another few seconds before calling Corvin.
He answered almost immediately.
"Everything okay?"
"Yeah."
A pause.
"I found Astrid."
Corvin waited.
"She was at the shop."
Another pause.
"With those guys."
Corvin's voice changed.
"Aisha..."
"I know."
"You shouldn't have—"
"I know."
She exhaled.
"But she's safe."
Silence.
Then:
"Good."
Aisha leaned against the wall.
"Get some sleep."
"You too."
She ended the call.
For a moment, she remained against the wall.
Then she pushed herself upright and headed to her room.
At 5:30 a.m., Aisha woke up.
For a moment, she stared at the ceiling.
The events of the previous night came back to her.
Astrid.
The three boys.
The shouting.
She pushed the thoughts aside.
She pulled on her running shoes and stepped outside.
The campus was almost completely silent.
The sky was beginning to brighten, though the sun had not yet appeared above the buildings.
Aisha followed the running path around the residence halls.
She ran faster than usual.
Not because she was trying to beat her usual time.
She just needed to move.
A few minutes later, she noticed someone ahead.
Mei Lin.
She was stretching beside the path.
Aisha slowed.
"Mind if I join?"
Mei Lin glanced at her.
"For how long?"
"However long you're going."
Mei Lin studied her.
"You talk a lot."
Aisha laughed.
"I do."
Mei Lin adjusted the strap on her watch.
"You can come."
Then she added:
"If you promise to be quiet."
Aisha stared at her.
"That's asking a lot."
"Then try."
They started running.
For the next fifteen minutes, Aisha actually kept her promise.
Then a staff member hurried toward them.
"Miss Mercer?"
Aisha slowed.
"Yes?"
"The Dean needs you immediately."
Her smile disappeared.
"Me?"
"Yes."
"What happened?"
"I wasn't told."
Aisha looked at Mei Lin.
Mei Lin's expression remained calm, though her eyes briefly followed the staff member.
Aisha sighed.
"Well... that's ominous."
Corvin woke at six.
He dressed quickly and went for his usual run.
The morning air was cool.
For a while, he simply followed the familiar path around campus.
Then he noticed Mei Lin ahead.
She was jogging alone. She noticed him approaching.
They exchanged a brief nod.
Then they started jogging together.
For the first five minutes, neither of them spoke.
The silence didn't bother either of them.
Eventually, Mei Lin spoke.
"Do you know why Aisha was called to the Dean's office?"
Corvin's pace slowed slightly.
"No."
He thought about it.
Aisha being called in so early.
The staff member finding her during her run.
Yesterday's incident.
His thoughts connected.
"It might have something to do with yesterday."
Mei Lin glanced at him.
"What happened yesterday?"
Corvin stopped and looked toward the administration building.
"I'll find out."
He turned off the running path and headed toward the Dean's office.
Mei Lin watched him leave before continuing her run.
-----
When he reached the Dean's office Astrid was already sitting outside.
She looked relieved when she saw him.
"Corvin."
"What happened?"
"They called me too."
"Why?"
"I don't know."
She looked toward the closed office door.
"I'm worried about Aisha."
Corvin was about to answer when the door opened.
Aisha stepped outside.
Astrid immediately stood.
"Aisha!"
Aisha looked surprised.
"Hey."
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah."
Astrid looked her over.
"Are you sure?"
Aisha nodded.
"They showed me the security footage."
She glanced toward the office.
"And there were witnesses too."
Corvin watched her carefully.
She wasn't tense.
She wasn't trying to avoid eye contact.
If anything, she looked confused.
"They know what happened?" he asked.
"Pretty much."
Astrid swallowed.
"And those boys?"
"They're dealing with it."
"Are they going to be punished?"
"Probably."
Astrid lowered her eyes.
A faculty member stepped into the hallway.
"Miss Mercer."
Aisha turned.
"Yes?"
"I want to make something clear."
Aisha listened.
"We understand why you intervened. But you should not put yourself in situations like that if there is a safer alternative. You should report these incidents to staff or security whenever possible."
Aisha nodded.
"Understood."
"And if something similar happens again?"
"I'll report it."
The faculty member nodded and returned inside.
Aisha let out a breath.
Corvin looked at her.
"You do need to think things through next time."
Aisha gave him a tired look.
"Thinking isn't my strong suit."
Astrid couldn't help laughing.
Aisha smiled.
Corvin shook his head.
"Come on. We have orientation."
They returned to Favilla Hall, changed, and gathered downstairs.
By eight o'clock, Priya had somehow managed to assemble all eight of them.
She counted them.
"One, two, three, four..."
Marco looked at her.
"Priya."
She continued.
"Five, six, seven..."
"There are eight of us."
"I know."
She pointed at him.
"I'm checking."
Marco sighed.
"Right."
They headed toward orientation together.
The campus was already filling with students.
People talked about classes, dorms, clubs, professors, and the events planned for the semester.
For a few minutes, they were simply freshmen again.
Then Chase spoke.
"So, anyone heard about that volcano in Indonesia that's meant to blow?"
Astrid looked at him.
"WHAT?"
Dimitri hesitated.
"I think he means... an eruption."
Everyone looked at him.
He shifted uncomfortably.
"I can explain, but... my English is not good enough."
Priya tilted her head.
"Тогда объясни это по-русски."
(Then explain it in Russian.)
Dimitri froze.
So did everyone else.
Even Mei Lin's expression briefly cracked.
Dimitri looked around.
"Who said that?"
Priya raised her hand.
"Me."
His eyebrows lifted.
"You speak Russian?"
"Fluently."
Dimitri stared at her for another second.Then his shoulders relaxed.
He switched to Russian.
"Учёные ожидают извержение примерно пятого уровня по шкале VEI. Но точный масштаб заранее предсказать невозможно."
Priya translated.
"He says scientists currently expect something around a VEI five eruption. But they can't predict the exact size beforehand."
Chase frowned.
"Is that bad?"
Dimitri answered immediately.
"Для нас — скорее всего, нет. Но если достаточно пепла попадёт в стратосферу, ситуация может быть совсем другой."
Priya's expression became more serious.
"He says we probably won't be affected directly. But if enough ash reaches the stratosphere, it could be a different story."
Marco looked at him.
"How different?"
Dimitri answered.
"Он может распространиться далеко за пределы Индонезии."
Priya translated.
"It could spread far beyond Indonesia."
"How far?" Marco asked.
Dimitri looked at everyone.
"Потенциально — по всему миру."
Priya hesitated before translating.
"Potentially... around the world."
The group fell quiet.
Chase gave a nervous laugh.
"Well, that's cheerful."
Priya smiled.
"Don't worry. It's probably nothing."
Dimitri didn't smile.
He continued speaking in Russian.
"Экваториальные ветры могут разнести пепел на огромные расстояния за считанные недели."
Priya listened.
"He says winds around the equator could carry the ash enormous distances within weeks."
Corvin looked toward the horizon.
Nothing looked unusual.
The sky was clear.
Students laughed as they crossed the lawn.
Cars moved along the road outside the university.
Somewhere nearby, someone was arguing about which orientation hall they were supposed to be in.
Everything was normal.
So normal that their conversation almost felt ridiculous.
A volcano thousands of kilometres away.
Ash in the stratosphere.
The possibility of something spreading around the world.
It was just another piece of news.
Something to discuss before orientation. Something they would probably forget by lunch.
None of them knew how little time they had left.
Before the day was over, the eruption they had just been discussing would no longer be a distant event on the other side of the world.
It would be the beginning.
The last ordinary morning they would ever have.