[3. Do not turn on the light, no matter what happens.]

[4. The dormitory administrator will patrol every half hour, accompanying a noisy assistant, randomly stopping outside a dormitory. If you're asleep, ignore them. If awake, once they pause, remain silent.]

[5. If you remain silent and they haven't left, and you hear laughter, immediately head to the bathroom and wash your hair as an excuse to dismiss them, proceeding collectively.]

[6. During the hair washing ritual, avoid looking up into the mirror and fully wet all your hair. Meanwhile, do not answer any questions.]

[7. When washing hair, the toilet may emit odd sounds occasionally. This is normal; don't panic but open the toilet door only after hair is dry.]

[8. There's a chance the dormitory administrator might enter for inspection; stay focused on washing your hair, don't look up, don't reply.]

[9. If inspected, after inspection wash your hair then go to bed immediately, close your eyes, ignore any sounds, and most importantly...do not trust your roommates.]

[10.——————————]

"..."

Except for the last rule which was smeared over.

Mijie quickly reviewed the first nine rules twice.

At this moment.

The footsteps outside the door also stopped.

Mijie nervously held her breath, looking towards the door, crumpling the paper in hand, making a faint noise.

Moonlight through the window cast eerie shadows upon the door.

Suddenly, faint whispering followed by laughter came from outside the door.

"Hee hee hee hee..."

Instantly.

Several roommates showed signs of horror in their eyes, and driven by fear, Mijie was the first to react, hastily putting down the paper, then jumping off the bed, and ran towards the balcony.

The other three, unfamiliar roommates also sobbed at the corners of their eyes, reacted as well, rapidly jumping off their beds, dashing towards the balcony.

Hurriedly, they grabbed basins, cramming at the fairly small washstand, scrambling to fetch water. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

Since there were only two faucets, four began to compete, yet remained silent amidst their urgency.

Thankfully.

Despite only having two faucets, the water pressure was sufficient.

The four managed to fill their basins.

Then, they all ungirded their long hair, submerging their strands into the icy water.

Simultaneously.

Their hair just submerged as.

Creaaaak——

The dormitory door seemed to be pushed open, a shrill and piercing sound echoed throughout the room, chilling them to the bone.

The four girls froze in place while washing their hair.

Tap, tap, tap.

Next.

Footsteps sounded again.

Softer this time, resembling barefoot steps.

Rigid with fear, the four girls dared not look up but glimpses revealed a dark figure approaching them.

...It was a woman in a ghostly white dress with hair scattered down.

Her face was completely obscured by dense, curtain-like black hair.

Soon she halted behind them.

"What game are you playing?"

A voice laced with laughter echoed.

The tone seemed merry.

Carrying an eerie delight.

Mijie and the others shuddered inwardly, throats choked, unable to utter a sound, desperately focusing on scrubbing their hair to distract themselves.

"What game are you playing?"

Behind.

Not getting an answer, she stepped forward leisurely, repeating the question.

A subtle chill emanated from behind.

Then the four simultaneously realized...a hand had appeared on top of their heads.

The foreign hand gently brushed their hair, gliding through strands as if searching for something.

"Your hair is so beautiful."

The amiable voice echoed again.

Soon after.

They felt their hair being gently tugged, amidst a prickling pain, it seemed something was weaving into their locks.

"Mm..."

Noticing this.

Under immense mental strain.

Finally.

Mijie couldn't resist and burst into tears...on the brink of breakdown.

"Hee hee hee..."

Seemingly aware of her condition.

Laughter resounded again.

Simultaneously.

Thud thud thud——

Two toilets behind them suddenly crashed with noise as if someone inside was violently shaking the doors, trying to exit.

"Oh, you're playing hide and seek...let me join."

Clack clack clack.

Footsteps sounded once more.

Followed by the gentle sound of opening a door, the silhouette standing behind them seemed to turn towards the bathroom.

Before the door closed, she lastly inquired: "You know the rules of hide and seek, right?"

This time.

Her voice lacked laughter, was indistinct as if chewing something, spine-chilling.

"Ah——!!!"

Mijie heard the crunching noises, envisioning after washing, she'd lay with eyes closed in bed.

With a ghost still hiding in the bathroom.

Utterly shattered.

She screamed, abruptly lifted her head.

Then she noticed...the woman in the spectral white dress with unkempt hair hadn't left, instead stood before her.

Upon raising her head, she saw her true visage.

Her skin pale as paper, hair cascading down like dark vines hung over her shoulders.

"Hee hee…found you."

The woman gradually lifted her head, cascading strands fell aside, revealing a grotesque, twisted face.

Facing Mijie, she slowly opened her mouth, the corners stretching to the ears, her ghastly smile looming in the darkness.

Witnessing this, Mijie's heart stopped, her mind void, paralyzed.