Ghost Behind You

1.08. The Dream

Rose pulled Mary into the hallway. Glancing around to ensure no one was nearby, she asked, "What's wrong?" Mary's face remained pale, but her trembling lips had stilled. She looked up at Rose, then whispered, "Let's talk somewhere else."

The hallway wasn't the best place for a private conversation. The sound would carry, and someone could walk by at any moment. Rose sensed that whatever Mary had to say might be connected to the strange events from the night before, and the last thing they needed was someone overhearing—especially not Gary's mother, who might already be suspicious. It would only create unnecessary drama. The fewer people who knew, the better.

Just like back in high school, the two of them walked side by side across the small bridge. The sunlight was soft, the temperature mild. Gentle ripples danced on the lake's surface, and a cool breeze brushed their faces. Had it not been for all the strange events, this would've been the perfect day for a peaceful summer stroll. Rose even felt a slight sense of calm washing over her.

"Do you remember when we went on that field trip in high school?" Mary asked, staring down at the water.

"You mean the trip to Bayi Lake in Beijing?" Rose replied. "Of course, I remember. Tommy got thrown into the lake and came out covered in mud." She smiled at the memory.

"That was almost ten years ago," Mary said, her voice laced with nostalgia. "If it weren't for everything that's happened, who knows when we'd have met again."

"Yeah, it's been over a year since we last saw each other."

"But last night... I dreamed that you were killed," Mary said, her lips trembling again. "It felt so real. I cried so much in the dream."

Rose exhaled in relief. If it was just a dream, there was no reason to panic. "What exactly did you dream?"

"I dreamed that a police officer told me you were dead. I ran as fast as I could to see you. I ran and ran until I got to your room. The door was sealed off with yellow police tape, but I didn't care—I crawled right under it. When I saw you lying on the bed... you looked exactly like you did today—so real—but I couldn't figure out how you died. There were no wounds, no blood. You were just lying there... completely still."

"Were you standing by the bed? Was I propped up on some pillows?" Rose asked, her heart racing as she tried to keep her voice steady.

Mary's face turned even paler, and she stared at Rose as if seeing a ghost.

"Don't worry," Rose said quickly. "I'm just guessing. Remember how I used to lie like that in the dorms? Maybe that's why you dreamed it."

Mary visibly relaxed, though her complexion remained pale. "You scared me! I had goosebumps while I was telling you about my dream, and then you went and described it perfectly, like you'd seen it yourself. I thought I was losing it."

"Maybe it's because I used to sleep like that in college. It probably left an impression on you," Rose suggested, even though her own heart was pounding. That's exactly how I was lying last night when I saw the shadow. A cold chill ran down her spine.

"What happened next?" Rose asked, trying to mask her unease.

"I sat beside you, crying, and thought to myself that you really were dead. I felt like my heart had shattered. I sat there for a long time, but I didn't dare look at you again. Then I left."

"I see..." Rose's heart raced even faster. Everything Mary described matched perfectly with what Rose had experienced the night before. So that explains why she didn't move. And the door... Rose suddenly remembered the soft click she'd heard last night. Trying not to alarm Mary, she asked casually, "Did you crawl back out under the police tape?"