I stood frozen in the empty room, gripping my phone tightly. The screen still displayed the blank photo, where John should have been.
The wind outside howled, making the curtains slam against the wall. The room's light flickered erratically, as if something was interfering with the electricity.
John was just sitting in front of me. I was sure of it.
But now, he was gone.
The air around me felt thick, an invisible pressure pressing down on my chest. I struggled to breathe.
*"What do you think?"* John's voice still echoed in my head.
I swallowed hard, stepping back until I bumped into the edge of the desk.
What just happened?
---
Fragments of Memory
I bolted out of the room, running down the stairs. My footsteps echoed through the empty hallway. I needed to find someone—anyone—who could confirm that I wasn't losing my mind.
As soon as I reached the dorm's common area, I spotted a girl sitting on the couch, reading a book. I recognized her—**Elena**, a second-year student.
"Elena!" I called, my voice unsteady.
She looked up, frowning in confusion.
"I need to ask you something… How many people are staying in Room 306?"
Elena blinked. "306? No one stays there. Why?"
I felt my blood run cold. "But I live there… with someone else. His name is John."
Elena frowned deeper, setting her book aside. "Are you joking? I've been in this dorm for two years, and I'm sure **nobody has lived in Room 306** for a long time."
I shook my head, feeling my thoughts spiral.
That wasn't possible. I had talked to John. I had seen him. I had heard his voice.
I turned and ran outside, ignoring Elena calling after me. I needed to get away from here, away from this suffocating feeling.
---
The Forgotten Records
I ran straight to the library. A thought struck me—if John was real, there had to be a record of him somewhere.
I found the section where student records were kept. Digging through the files, I finally located the list of students who had stayed in this dorm.
I scanned the names…
John wasn't there.
There was no record of anyone named John ever staying in Room 306.
But what was even stranger… **my name wasn't there either.**
I froze.
Why?
I stared at the list, desperately searching for an explanation. I had just moved into this dorm recently—maybe the records hadn't been updated yet? But then, what about John?
A chilling realization crept into my mind. I pulled out my phone and opened my messages, looking for the confirmation email from the dorm administration.
There was nothing.
I clearly remembered receiving an email assigning me to Room 306. But now, **there was no record of it at all.**
I couldn't even remember exactly how I had applied for the room.
Was I really a student here?
---
The Warning Signs
When I returned to the dorm, Elena was still sitting there. This time, she looked at me with concern.
"Are you okay?"
I collapsed onto the couch, sweat beading on my forehead.
"Elena, do you remember… the day you first moved in here?"
She nodded. "Of course. Last year."
I exhaled. "And what about me?"
She hesitated. A second passed. Then two. Then three.
"Um… I don't really remember."
"You don't remember?" I frowned.
Elena looked uncomfortable. "Yeah, I mean… I know you live here, but I can't recall when you moved in."
My heart pounded.
"Elena, when did I come to this dorm?"
She opened her mouth, then stopped. She tried to think… but the more she did, the more confusion clouded her face.
"I… I don't remember."
The world around me felt like it was spinning.
Something was very, very wrong.
---
A Fading Presence
I returned to Room 306, my mind in chaos. I opened the door, and—
John was sitting on the bed again.
Calm, as if nothing had happened.
"Where did you go?" John asked, his voice steady.
I took a step back, fear creeping into my veins. "Who are you?"
John smiled. "I've always been here."
I stared at him, my entire body trembling.
If John didn't exist… then what about me?
Did I even exist?
---
END OF CHAPTER 2