Chapter 2

Lenny looked at me with a hurt expression. "Alex, I… I don't know what came over me. Just now, I felt so, so sad. But the moment I held you, I felt so much better. I couldn't help myself… Don't look at me like that."

I realized then that my roommates were sad and angry because of those stupid numbers above their heads, and I just happened to be able to make them feel better.

I was about to speak when the dorm room leader, Zavier Hill, came back.

He asked with a smile, "What are you guys doing?"

But I could see the bright red 1% above his head.

I didn't even know what I was thinking when I made my next move.

It had been more than a year since I entered college, and everyone had been so kind to me. In fact, they went out of their way to be nice to me. I didn't want to see any of them unhappy, and roommates were supposed to help each other anyway.

Without much hesitation, I threw myself into Zavier's arms.

Zavier froze for a moment before gently patting my back.

He sounded a little excited as he asked, "What's wrong?"

I looked up at him. Thankfully, the number above his head had risen to 8%. But for some reason, everyone's number stopped changing after reaching a certain point.

I let go of him and replied, "I could feel that you weren't in a good mood. They said hugging me made them feel a bit better, so I thought… Maybe I could hug you too."

Even I almost believed the nonsense I was saying. I couldn't possibly tell them that I could see the battery levels above their heads.

Zavier smiled and grabbed my hand. "It does seem like that. Touching you really does make us feel a little happier. But Alex, I only feel a little better. I'm still feeling very sad. What should I do?"

I blinked and offered, "Then… Maybe hug me a little longer?"

Zavier chuckled softly. "But it seems like just hugging isn't enough. What should we do? You would do everything you can to cheer us up, wouldn't you?"

This was just how Zavier was. He knew exactly how to lead people along, like what he was doing to me now. When he put it that way, I couldn't bring myself to refuse.

But I didn't intend to refuse him. I just didn't know how to help them.

As if he could read my thoughts, Zavier added, "Alex, you only need to tell me yes or no. Leave the rest to us, okay?"

I nodded solemnly. "Okay."

A strange smile played on Zavier's lips. Somehow, it resembled a predator that had finally captured the prey it had been longing for.

Nigel held me and sat down on the chair, while Lenny began to…

I froze in shock.

No way. Could it be…

My eyes widened.

Zavier's voice sounded like the devil's whisper to my ears. "Don't back out, Alex. We're really, really sad right now. Only you can help us."