The city was alive, vibrant with the hum of everyday life. Cars streamed through the streets, their engines blending with the steady murmur of footsteps on the pavement. People walked in every direction, each one moving with purpose, eyes focused on their own destinations.

  The sunlight gleamed off the tall glass buildings that lined the streets, casting bright reflections across the sidewalks. High above, a bird perched among the treetops, its cheerful song adding a touch of serenity to the urban landscape.

  Among the sea of people, a group of friends strolled leisurely, their voices filled with laughter as they planned for the weekend ahead.

  Nearby, a family moved together, the parents guiding their two young children toward the open food court at the end of the street. The mother pointed to something ahead, and the kids' faces lit up with excitement. Life continued in its familiar rhythm, with the city serving as a backdrop to countless ordinary moments.

  As the day wore on, the energy of the city didn't wane. People carried on, some heading home from work, others meeting friends or running errands. Conversations flowed as friends and classmates, both new and old, shared stories and jokes, their connections strengthening with each shared moment.

  The warmth of the sun began to fade, and the sky took on a rich gradient of orange and purple as dusk approached. It was another ordinary day, marked by the comfort of routine.

  But as the city buzzed with life, Mike lay asleep in his small apartment, unaware of the world outside. Books and notes were scattered across the desk near his bed, remnants of yet another night spent studying.

  The quiet rhythm of his breathing was the only sound in the room. His small space was neatly organized—a bed, a desk, a bookshelf filled with textbooks, and a few basic pieces of furniture that left little room for anything else. It wasn’t much, but it was enough.

  The piercing sound of his alarm clock shattered the peace, dragging him out of sleep. Mike blinked his eyes open, groaning as he stretched his arms overhead. The morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow over the room, but it did little to lift his mood. He swung his legs over the side of the bed and glanced around at the familiar sight of his room. Nothing had changed. His life had fallen into a predictable pattern, and each day felt the same as the one before.

  "Oh, here we go again, another day of college classes," he muttered to himself as he reached for the fresh clothes laid out on his bookshelf. The routine had become tiresome—lectures, discussions, assignments, repeat. There was no spark left in it. The excitement he had once felt when starting college had faded, replaced by a dull sense of monotony that seemed to grow stronger with each passing day.

  Mike dressed quickly, but even as he pulled on his shoes, he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing. Staring into the mirror above his dresser, he caught sight of his own reflection—a young man with tired eyes and a weary expression. He used to feel more alive, more eager to take on the world. Now, all he could see was the weight of routine dragging him down.

  He grabbed his backpack and slung it over his shoulder, heading for the door. As he left the apartment and began the familiar walk to campus, that nagging sense of dissatisfaction followed him. The same streets, the same faces, the same dull conversations—everything was predictable, and it was starting to feel suffocating. His mind wandered as he walked, thoughts of escape and adventure slipping into his consciousness.

  What if there was more to life than this?

  The question lingered, uninvited but persistent. The idea of something different—something that would make his heart race—seemed more appealing with every step. He didn’t know what it was, but he craved it deeply, a break from the routine that had settled over his life like a gray cloud.

  As he reached the campus, Mike was greeted by the same sight he had grown used to over the years. The towering buildings loomed before him, familiar and unchanging.

  Students hurried past, faces he recognized from countless lectures, but they all seemed to blur together, part of the same monotonous backdrop. With a sigh, Mike made his way toward the lecture hall, already feeling the weight of the day pressing down on him.

  It was just another day. Another round of classes, of lectures, of boring study sessions that drained the energy from him. As he stepped inside the building, the same questions lingered in the back of his mind. What if there was something more out there for him? Something beyond the walls of the lecture hall, beyond the routine he had grown so accustomed to?

  The answer, if there was one, remained elusive. But as Mike took his seat and prepared for the start of the lecture, the feeling that his life was missing something hadn’t gone away.

  The lecture hall was bathed in the warm glow of the setting sun, the fading light filtering through the tall windows, casting long shadows across the room. Mike settled into his usual seat with a sigh, his thoughts drifting momentarily to the absurdity of college life.

  Right, college, he thought wryly, where time is a suggestion and attending classes at sunset is normal. Who needs a consistent sleep schedule anyway?

  Just as he was about to pull out his notebook, the seat next to him creaked as someone sat down. Lyanna, his classmate, flashed him a playful smile.

  "Mike, if I had a dollar for every time you nearly missed class, I'd be rich by now!" she teased, nudging him lightly.

  Mike smirked, leaning back in his chair. "Hey, punctuality's not really my thing. But I always manage to show up, don't I?"

  "Yeah, barely," she said with a chuckle. "You really cut it close today. One more near-miss, and Professor Anderson might actually explode."

  He shrugged, giving her a mock-serious expression. "Ah, he might grumble and give me a disapproving look, sure, but I think he secretly enjoys my grand, last-minute entrances. Adds a little drama to his otherwise dull lectures."

  Lyanna shook her head, laughing. "Whatever helps you sleep at night, Mike."

  As they exchanged banter, Alex, another classmate sitting a few seats away, leaned in with a gleam in his eye. His voice dropped conspiratorially, immediately catching their attention. "Hey, have you guys heard about the latest conspiracy theory making the rounds?"

  Mike and Lyanna exchanged skeptical glances before turning to him. "What is it this time?" Mike asked, half-amused, half-curious.

  Alex’s tone dropped even lower as if he were about to reveal some grand secret. "There's a rumor going around that a meteor landed somewhere in the local forest. But that’s not all... people are saying it brought something... unusual with it."

  Mike raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying into the conspiracy. "Is that so? And what kind of 'unusual' thing did this meteor bring with it?"

  Alex's eyes gleamed with excitement. "That's the thing - no one really knows exactly what it is, but there’ve been reports of strange lights and sounds coming from the forest at night. Some people say they've seen things—unnatural things—moving out there."

  Before Mike could respond, Maya, who had been quietly listening from the row behind, chimed in, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Let me guess. You've been listening to those crackpot conspiracy podcasts again, haven't you?"

  Alex frowned at the interruption. "Hey, don’t dismiss it so fast. Some of these theories end up being true!"

  Maya rolled her eyes, clearly unconvinced. "Right. Just like the one about the secret alien base on the moon, or the government experimenting with psychic powers. Totally credible stuff."

  Alex crossed his arms, clearly offended. "You laugh now, but I’m telling you, there’s something strange going on. You just don’t have an open mind."

  Maya shot him a smirk, shaking her head. "An open mind’s one thing, Alex. Believing in every crackpot theory you find online is another."

  Mike couldn’t help but chuckle at their exchange. It was a familiar dynamic—Alex, ever the conspiracy theorist, passionately defending the latest wild idea, while Maya poked fun at his obsession with all things outlandish. Despite their constant bickering, there was a sort of camaraderie between the two.

  "You’ve got to admit though," Mike said, his tone teasing, "you do have a bit of a reputation for falling down the rabbit hole of bizarre theories."

  Alex bristled but didn’t back down. "Hey, just because I believe in the possibility of something more doesn't mean I'm wrong. People used to laugh at the idea of other planets having life. Now look at us, scanning for signals from space."

  Maya shot him a look. "Alex, there's a difference between being open to possibilities and blindly accepting every random claim as truth. It's about skepticism, healthy skepticism. Not _everything_ can be real."

  "Maybe," Alex conceded, though he clearly wasn’t convinced. "But you never know until you investigate, right?"

  Lyanna chimed in, attempting to ease the rising tension. "Okay, okay, let's not start a debate on conspiracies. We're here for class, remember?"

  Mike nodded in agreement, a smirk playing at the corner of his mouth. "She's right, Alex. Maybe we should focus on the lecture for now."

  Alex, however, was not quite ready to let go of the topic. He muttered under his breath, still fixated on the supposed meteor incident. "Well, our professor's not here yet, so we’ve got some time to discuss these interesting–"

  Before he could finish, the unmistakable sound of a throat being cleared interrupted him. Alex froze as Professor Anderson, having silently walked up behind the group, spoke up. "I'm glad to hear you're interested in discussing things," the professor said dryly, causing Alex to nearly leap out of his seat in shock.

  The rest of the group tried to stifle their laughter at the shocked look on Alex’s face. Professor Anderson, a no-nonsense man with a dry sense of humor, chuckled at the scene. "It seems your interest lies more in conspiracies than in the actual subject at hand."

  Alex quickly scrambled for a response, cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "Er, no, sir, we were just, um…"

  The professor smirked, clearly amused. "Debating the likelihood of little green men and hidden government experiments, I assume?"

  Mike, unable to resist, grinned and chimed in, "Seems like Alex got a reality check, huh?"

  Lyanna joined in, teasingly patting Alex on the shoulder. "At least you'll think twice before bringing up conspiracies in class again."

  Alex, still visibly embarrassed, glared at his friends. "Haha, very funny. Can we just focus on class now?"

  The professor chuckled again, his tone light yet firm. "Yes, let's focus on the class, shall we?"

  Professor Anderson chuckled again, clearly enjoying the lightheartedness of the situation. "Yes, let’s get started, shall we? But Alex," he added with a teasing tone, "if you keep overthinking, I might just have you explain the entire semester's worth of lessons by yourself. Maybe it'll clear up some of those conspiracies floating around in that head of yours."

  Alex’s eyes widened in horror, and the rest of the group snickered at the thought.

  "But for now," Professor Anderson said with a playful glint in his eye, "let's dive into today’s lesson and leave the conspiracies for later, shall we, Alex?"

  Alex nodded, too embarrassed to respond, while his classmates stifled their laughter. With a final chuckle, the professor turned to the board, shifting his attention fully to the subject at hand. The room settled into silence, the focus now on the lecture.

  Professor Anderson, a strict but approachable man, had a unique talent for making even the most complex topics engaging. Today’s lesson on advanced physics was no exception. He filled the board with intricate equations and diagrams, pausing occasionally to clarify key points and pose questions to the class. Despite the late hour, the students began to pay attention, their earlier distractions fading as they immersed themselves in the content.

  Mike, Lyanna, and the others, despite their earlier complaints about the late hour, soon found themselves caught up in the rhythm of the lesson. Mike, who had been feeling the weight of the day’s monotony earlier, now scribbled down notes without realizing how much time had passed. Lyanna, never shy about asking questions, raised her hand now and then, while even Alex, still recovering from his earlier embarrassment, was fully engrossed, jotting down notes and nodding along with the professor’s explanations. Maya, always the diligent one, focused intently, absorbing every word with a quiet determination.

  What had started as a session filled with tired groans had now transformed into an engaging class. The professor had a way of taking abstract equations and theories and turning them into pieces of a much larger puzzle. By the time the group realized it, they were no longer just passively sitting through the lecture but actively involved, their earlier fatigue fading.

  As Professor Anderson spoke, explaining another complex equation, Mike’s thoughts momentarily drifted back to Alex’s conspiracy theory. He knew it was probably nonsense, just another wild story circulating online or through bored students with overactive imaginations. But still, something about it had lodged in his mind. Strange lights in the forest? Unexplained sounds?

  _What if there really was something out there?_ The thought flickered briefly before disappearing, drowned out by the steady hum of physics formulas and the professor’s voice.

  The class moved forward, mixing theory with practical examples, and Professor Anderson even peppered in a few well-timed jokes to keep them all entertained. Time flew by quicker than any of them had expected. When the professor finally wrapped up, closing his notebook and gesturing toward the clock, the three hours felt like they had passed in an instant.

  "Well," Professor Anderson said with a small smile, "that’s all for tonight. Go home and rest up. You'll need it for next time."

  The group looked surprised at how quickly the time had passed. Fatigue weighed heavily on their shoulders, and the prospect of heading home after a long day was a relief. They collected their belongings and slowly began to file out of the classroom. As they made their way to the door, however, the professor’s voice called out, stopping them in their tracks.

  Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  "Oh, and one more thing! Before you go, I forgot to mention something important."

  They turned, curiosity piqued despite their exhaustion.

  "Next week, all groups have a presentation to submit," Professor Anderson continued, "and it's worth a significant portion of your grade in this class. Group 1, Mike’s group—that’s you, right?"

  Mike blinked, feeling a mix of surprise and panic wash over him. He nodded slowly. "Uh, yeah, that’s us."

  The rest of the group exchanged looks, clearly taken aback. In their haze of exhaustion, the upcoming presentation had completely slipped their minds.

  Professor Anderson gave them a small, reassuring smile. "Don’t worry, I know it’s been a long day. But make sure you start working on it soon. I expect each of you to contribute."

  Mike forced a confident nod, trying to mask his growing anxiety. "Of course, professor. We’ll get right on it."

  The others, still looking somewhat dazed, nodded along.

  "Good," Anderson said with a satisfied nod. "I’m sure you’ll all do just fine. Now, go get some rest, and I’ll see you next week."

  With that, the professor turned back to his desk, leaving the group standing near the door as the weight of the impending presentation settled over them.

  Maya groaned as they resumed walking out. "Ugh, a presentation next week? I completely forgot about that. Just what we need on top of all the other assignments."

  Lyanna sighed heavily, her tone matching Maya’s exhaustion. "Seriously, though. Can’t they give us a break? I barely have time to breathe, let alone sleep."

  Mike nodded in agreement, his irritation beginning to surface. "And, of course, it’s a group assignment. Let’s just hope everyone pulls their weight this time. Otherwise, it’s going to be a disaster."

  As they made their way down the hall, Mike suddenly looked around and realized someone was missing. "Wait, where’s Alex?"

  Maya and Lyanna glanced around too, only to spot Alex several paces ahead, completely engrossed in his phone. His face was glued to the screen, watching yet another conspiracy theory video.

  Mike rolled his eyes, half-amused and half-annoyed. "Of course, he's watching more conspiracy theories. Does that guy ever focus on anything else?"

  Maya crossed her arms, exasperated. "Honestly, it's like his brain is hardwired for conspiracy. We should confiscate that phone of his."

  Mike smirked sarcastically. "Yeah, maybe we’ll let a UFO confiscate it for us. Or better yet, one of those secret government agencies Alex always talks about."

  Lyanna couldn’t help but chuckle as she caught up with them. "Right. And the aliens will abduct his phone to fuel their own intergalactic conspiracies."

  Maya joined in on the teasing, laughing as they walked faster to catch up with Alex. "Hey, slow down, conspiracy boy. We can’t keep up with your endless rabbit holes."

  Lyanna added with a playful smirk, "We all want to get home tonight, you know. Not get sucked into another one of your theories."

  Alex finally noticed the group catching up, pulling out his earbuds with an innocent shrug. "What? You guys are just jealous you’re not in the know about all this cool stuff."

  Mike shook his head, smiling. "Yeah, sure, Alex. Just don’t expect the aliens to help us with that presentation next week."

  With that, the group laughed, the light-hearted banter helping ease some of the stress of their looming workload as they headed off into the night.

  As the night stretched on, Mike sat in his small apartment, surrounded by textbooks and scattered notes. The desk in front of him was a mess, papers half-tumbled from the edge, but his focus was unwavering. He had an upcoming presentation to prepare for, along with a stack of assignments that were demanding his attention. His eyes darted between his books and notes, his mind a blur of calculations and research.

  Hours slipped by unnoticed. It wasn’t until he glanced at the clock that he realized it was already past midnight. He paused, considering the idea of going to bed, but the thought quickly evaporated. His sense of responsibility pushed him to keep going, knowing that the sooner he finished, the sooner he could rest.

  Suddenly, the wailing of sirens cut through the air, echoing through the city. Mike paused for a moment, brow furrowing as he listened, but then shrugged it off, assuming it was just another emergency that would fade as quickly as it had appeared. The flashing lights from outside seeped in through the curtains, casting brief flickers of red and blue across his walls, but he barely registered them. His focus remained on his textbooks, ignoring the disturbances outside.

  After a while, Mike decided to take a short break. He grabbed his phone and flopped onto his bed, scrolling through his group chat to unwind.

  Mike (chat): Hey, anyone still up?

  Maya (chat): Yeah, just wrapping up some notes.

  Lyanna (chat): Same here. This workload is seriously going to kill me.

  Alex (chat): I'm still up. Just found a conspiracy theory that's even crazier than the last one.

  Mike (chat): You’re still down that rabbit hole? It’s past midnight, man.

  Alex (chat): Come on, Mike. The truth is out there, and someone’s got to dig it up.

  Lyanna (chat): Or you could just sleep like a normal person.

  Mike (chat): Yeah, you look like you haven't slept in a week.

  Maya (chat): Maybe you should focus on reality for a bit, Alex. Ever think of that?

  Alex (chat): Reality’s overrated. I prefer to believe in secret governments and alien cover-ups.

  Lyanna (chat): You're going to give yourself an aneurysm at this rate.

  Mike rolled his eyes at the conversation, but he found a little amusement in it.

  Mike (chat): Hey, did anyone else hear those sirens earlier? Any clue what that was about?

  Maya (chat): Yeah, I heard them too. Wonder if something serious happened.

  Alex (chat): Oh, it's probably a cover-up. They always use sirens to hide the real action.

  Mike (chat): And what exactly would they be hiding this time?

  Alex (chat): I don’t know, maybe an alien invasion? Or something weird they found in the woods?

  Lyanna (chat): Or maybe it’s just a car accident, Alex. Not everything is a conspiracy.

  Alex (chat): You say that every time, and every time, something bigger comes out. How many times do I have to be right before you stop doubting me?

  Mike (chat): How about you give us some solid evidence for once?

  Maya (chat): I’m heading to bed. I can’t deal with more of this tonight.

  Alex (chat): Come on, Maya, don’t be a buzzkill. You can’t handle a little truth-seeking?

  Lyanna (chat): Or maybe she’s just tired of your constant theories. We all are.

  Alex (chat): You’ll all see. The truth is out there, and I’m going to find it.

  Mike (chat): Yeah, just don’t get so distracted by it that you forget about our presentation tomorrow.

  One by one, the messages slowed as everyone else logged off. Mike shook his head, half-amused, half-annoyed at Alex's relentless dive into conspiracy theories. He glanced at the clock and sighed—it was getting late.

  Mike (chat): Alright, Alex. I’m off to bed too. Don’t stay up chasing aliens.

  Alex (chat): I won’t. Sleep is for the weak. The truth is calling.

  Mike chuckled to himself and set his phone down. He knew Alex would probably stay up all night chasing one theory or another. Yawning, Mike stretched, his body feeling the weight of the long night. He lay back and let his eyes fall shut, trying to push aside the nagging thoughts about his presentation and assignments.

  Though his mind still buzzed with all the things left to do, exhaustion eventually crept in, pulling him into a deep, dreamless sleep. The city outside grew quiet, the sirens fading into the background as the night stretched on.

  Hours later, the sharp sound of his alarm jolted him awake. With a groan, Mike reached over and slapped the snooze button, willing himself to get a few more minutes of rest. But as the light of dawn began to filter through the curtains, he knew the morning was unavoidable.

  When Mike’s alarm went off again, he groggily reached out and silenced it, mentally preparing himself for the day ahead. He groaned as he swung his legs over the side of the bed, sitting up and rubbing his eyes. The conversation with his friends about the sirens last night replayed in his mind, a faint echo of unease. But it was a nagging thought, one that faded quickly as the realization hit: he had no time to dwell on it. The presentation loomed large in his mind, and there were still a million little things to finalize.

  With a sigh, he trudged to the bathroom to start his morning routine.

  The hot water in the shower helped wake him up, though his mind remained on the looming presentation. He couldn’t shake the weight of it, like a storm cloud hovering overhead. It was going to be a long day—one full of last-minute chaos and stress. Mike sighed again, letting the water run over him, as if it could wash away his anxiety.

  He glanced at the clock perched on the bathroom shelf. His eyes widened. He had less time than he thought. Cursing under his breath, Mike finished up his shower in a hurry, toweled off quickly, and rushed through his morning routine. He didn’t have the luxury of time to style his hair or choose a proper outfit—he grabbed a shirt off the chair, wrinkled but presentable enough, and tossed his backpack over his shoulder. The banana he’d planned to eat for breakfast was quickly shoved into his hand as he dashed out the door.

  As Mike stepped outside, the chill of the morning air hit him, sharp and fresh. But it wasn’t just the cold that caught his attention. There were police cars—more than usual—moving up and down his street, sirens muted now but their presence was unmistakable. He noticed groups of soldiers marching in formation, too, their faces grim, their movements purposeful.

  A small knot of unease began to form in Mike’s stomach as he walked. What was going on? Why were there so many law enforcement personnel out this early?

  He quickened his pace, trying to shake off the growing anxiety. It must be some kind of drill, right? Maybe a planned security exercise.

  He tried to convince himself that this was routine, but the sight of the armored soldiers and the tense energy in the air suggested otherwise.

  His steps faltered for a moment, his mind racing. What if something was happening?

  But before he could dwell on it too much, the need to get to school took over. He couldn’t afford to be late, not with everything on his plate. His gut twisted with the feeling that something was off, but he pushed the thought aside and picked up his pace.

  The crunch of leaves beneath his shoes was the only sound accompanying him as he hurried along the sidewalk. The morning sun was still low, casting long shadows across the sidewalk, and the crisp air did little to ease the tension gnawing at him. Every step felt heavier than the last, like the weight of the world was pressing down on him, his stomach churning as he tried to focus on the day ahead instead of the strange sights around him. He glanced at his phone. If he didn’t hurry, he’d be late to his first lecture.

  Finally, the familiar outline of the school building came into view. Mike let out a small sigh of relief, his pace quickening as he neared the entrance. He dodged groups of students on their way in, barely acknowledging their greetings as he passed. His mind was a blur of thoughts, only partly registering the friendly “Good mornings” and the low buzz of conversation. The presence of the soldiers and police began to fade from his mind, replaced by the more immediate need to get to class on time.

  Mike pushed through the heavy doors of the school, the familiar sights and sounds of the bustling building offering a brief respite from the tension of the morning. The chatter of students and the hum of activity were strangely comforting. He glanced at his watch, realizing he had just enough time to catch his breath before the first lecture began.

  The hallways were a bit more crowded than usual, students milling about, their faces a mixture of excitement and exhaustion. Mike’s eyes scanned the faces around him, noting the wide variety of expressions. Some looked eager, others completely drained. The usual chaos of campus life swirled around him, but today, there was a low undercurrent of tension—perhaps a result of all the recent noise and activity outside.

  He rounded a corner and reached his classroom, the door already open. As he stepped inside, the chatter died down, and a few heads turned to acknowledge his arrival. Most notably, Alex, who was seated at the back, shot him a tired look. His hair was even messier than usual, and there were dark circles under his eyes. He waved at Mike, a half-smirk playing on his lips. “Made it just in time, as usual,” he called out with mock amusement.

  Mike tossed Alex a smile but couldn’t help but glance over his friend’s disheveled appearance. “You look like you’ve been battling conspiracies all night. Didn’t get any sleep, did you?”

  Alex rolled his eyes but gave him a weary smile. “Oh, very funny. As if sleep is something I can afford when there’s truth to be uncovered.”

  Mike raised an eyebrow, smirking. “Yeah, because staying up all night is definitely the best way to uncover the truth. I’m sure that’s how you’re gonna figure out the meaning of life—through sleepless nights and caffeine binges.”

  Alex leaned back in his chair, looking mock offended. “Please. You’re talking to a seasoned truth-seeker. Sleep? That’s for amateurs.”

  Mike chuckled, shaking his head. “Well, if you keep this up, you’re gonna turn into a zombie. You won’t even be able to tell the difference between a conspiracy and a caffeine-fueled hallucination.”

  “Oh, I’ll be the best zombie you’ve ever seen,” Alex said with a sly grin. “When the apocalypse comes, you’ll all be begging me for the truth, and I’ll be the one dishing it out. You’ll be jealous of my undead wisdom.”

  Mike rolled his eyes, laughing softly. “Yeah, I can picture it. You, shuffling around, groaning about aliens and secret government agendas. Definitely a walking conspiracy theory cliché.”

  Alex grinned, lounging back in his seat, clearly enjoying the banter. “Cliché? Maybe. But I’ll be the most informed zombie in the world. I’ll know everything. The secrets of the universe will be at my fingertips. You’ll all come to me for answers, begging on your knees.”

  “Sure, sure,” Mike replied, shaking his head, smiling. “The great zombie oracle. I’ll be right there with everyone else, begging for your undead wisdom.”

  They both chuckled, the familiar teasing lightening the tension in the air. Even in the midst of the chaos of the day, it was these small moments that made everything feel a little more manageable.

  Lyanna and Maya, who had been listening intently, couldn’t resist joining the conversation.

  Lyanna flashed a mischievous grin. “Hey, while you’re at it, O Wise One, how about a little prediction? What’s the next big conspiracy theory trend?”

  Maya, her lips curving into a playful smile, added, “And while you’re at it, any chance you could tell us the next exam questions? We could use some serious zombie-level foresight.”

  Alex chuckled, momentarily forgetting his exhaustion. “Ah, I see how it is. You all want to cash in on my mystical wisdom, huh? Let me see what I can do.”

  He shut his eyes with dramatic flair, as if reaching deep into some hidden well of knowledge that only the undead could access.

  Just then, the teacher—a no-nonsense, middle-aged woman—clapped her hands to regain the class’s attention. “Alright, enough of the theatrics, everyone. We’ve got a lot to cover today.”

  The room quieted, everyone reluctantly shifting their focus to the front as Dr. Bennett began her lecture. Her voice was authoritative, steady as she dove into the complex world of biology.

  “Today, we’ll be discussing cellular structure, specifically focusing on DNA and its role in determining inheritance and traits,” she said, launching into the lesson.

  Her tone shifted slightly as she transitioned to discussing genetic mutations. “Mutations can occur for various reasons—environmental factors, errors in DNA replication, exposure to radiation, or even certain viruses. When these mutations happen in critical genes, they can lead to significant changes in an organism’s physiology and traits.”

  She paused, surveying the class to make sure she had everyone’s attention before continuing. “Viruses, in particular, have a fascinating relationship with cellular mutation. When viruses inject their own genetic material into host cells, they essentially hijack the host’s machinery to replicate themselves. During this process, errors can occur, leading to new genetic variations, some of which can be highly detrimental to the host.”

  As she spoke, Dr. Bennett moved across the room, gesturing with a laser pointer at diagrams on the whiteboard to help reinforce her points.

  Alex leaned toward Mike, whispering with a grin, “See? This is like classic zombie lore—mutations, viruses. It’s all part of how we... undead evolved.”

  Mike rolled his eyes, still unconvinced by Alex’s occasional fixation on everything zombie-related.

  Alex chuckled, clearly amused by Mike’s skepticism. “Oh, you’ll thank me someday, buddy. When the zombie apocalypse hits, I’ll be the one leading the charge... or, you know, doing my best shambling shuffle.”

  Mike couldn’t help but laugh at Alex’s unshakeable optimism and unwavering commitment to his zombie theories.

  Dr. Bennett, noticing Maya’s raised hand, gave her a nod. “Yes, Maya?”

  Maya, curiosity shining in her eyes, asked, “Dr. Bennett, if a situation like the one with Ophiocordyceps unilateralis—the fungus that infects ants—were to happen in humans, would it lead to mutations or the emergence of viruses within us?”

  Dr. Bennett considered the question, her expression growing more serious. “That’s an interesting thought. While a fungus infecting and controlling humans like Ophiocordyceps unilateralis does with ants would certainly lead to drastic physical and mental changes, the emergence of viruses would depend on several factors. The interaction between the human immune system and the fungus could potentially result in viral infections, but predicting the exact outcome is difficult without more research.”

  Alex leaned closer to Mike, whispering quietly, "Hey, you caught the reference, right? Ophiocordyceps unilateralis? Sounds familiar, doesn't it? That's straight out of 'The Last of Us'!"

  Mike shot him a knowing smile but kept his eyes on the teacher. "Yeah, I got it. Alex, you're such a gaming geek."

  Alex grinned. “Hey, what can I say? I love a good game. Plus, The Last of Us is a classic. Gotta respect the realism of that cordyceps stuff—creepy, but fascinating.”

  Mike shook his head, though there was a small smile tugging at his lips. “Yeah, just remember this is biology class, not a gaming forum.”

  Dr. Bennett’s sharp instincts seemed to catch on to the whispered conversation happening behind her. She paused mid-sentence, her eyes narrowing slightly, and turned to face the class.

  “Alex,” she said, her voice even but with a raised eyebrow. “Is there something you’d like to share with the class?”

  Alex stiffened, a sheepish grin spreading across his face. He knew he’d been caught. “Uh, well, I couldn’t help but notice that the fungal infection you were talking about sounded pretty similar to something from a certain video game…”

  Dr. Bennett’s eyebrow arched higher, clearly intrigued. “A video game, you say? And what game might that be?”

  Alex took a deep breath, bracing himself to geek out in front of the whole class. “The Last of Us. The cordyceps infection is pretty much the main enemy in it. Scary stuff, but also kinda cool, you know?”