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The University
**Chapter 10: Friends Forever**

Mira froze as the whisper echoed in her ear. Her breath hitched, her body trembling uncontrollably. The air around her turned colder, so cold it felt like needles piercing her skin. Her eyes darted to the corner, expecting to see someone—or something—but the shadows mocked her with their silence.

Then, she felt it again. The breath. Hot and heavy on the nape of her neck.

Her chest heaved as she tried to scream, but no sound came out. Her muscles locked in place as if an unseen force had taken control of her body. Suddenly, she felt a weight on her shoulder—icy, clammy fingers that seemed to burn and freeze her at the same time.

“MiraaAAAAA,” a voice hissed, low and guttural, as though it clawed its way from the depths of the earth.

Mira wanted to run, but her legs refused to move. She wanted to cry, but her tears felt frozen. Then, as if summoned by her terror, a figure materialized in front of her, emerging from the shadows like smoke solidifying into flesh.

It was Sonia.

Her face was pale, her hollow eyes gleaming unnaturally in the darkness. But she was smiling—an unnerving, saccharine smile that made Mira’s stomach churn.

As Sonia stepped closer, Mira found herself able to breathe and speak again. The invisible grip on her face released. She gasped for air, her lungs heaving as she managed to scream, “What do you want from me?!”

Sonia’s smile widened, a grotesque parody of warmth. “I want us to be friends, Mira. Best friends. You and me... and the others.”

Mira’s stomach twisted at the mention of “others.” She stammered, “Others? What others?”

Sonia tilted her head, her expression one of innocent...