Chaos Theory

30th July, 2024

[Scene: University campus - strange, quiet atmosphere.]

The bus ride had been painful enough. But stepping onto campus and finding it eerily empty?

That was a different kind of warning sign.

Dunk slowed his steps, scanning the grounds.
The usual crowd - the students loitering by the fountain, the seniors yelling across the lawn - all missing. Like the place was abandoned except some students.

Love (nervously giggling):
"Maybe... maybe we're early?"

Dunk (thinking dryly):
Or maybe we're walking into an some cult stuff. They do this in the university nowadays? Well his father's money folds .

They moved toward the auditorium, their footsteps unnaturally loud in the silence. Dunk pushed open the heavy doors, and immediately squinted.

Inside was dark - except for one harsh, glaring spotlight aimed straight at the center of the stage.

The sudden shift from morning light to blinding spotlight made Dunk stumble slightly, his shoe catching on the edge of the carpet.

He cursed under his breath, straightening.

Dunk (muttering, sarcastic):
"Perfect. Let's all just go blind for the aesthetic."

He rubbed his eyes, blinking rapidly. As his vision adjusted, the spotlight shifted slightly - illuminating a figure standing on the stage.

Tall, confident, paper in hand.

Joong.

Next to him stood a few girls - clearly part of the club committee - all holding clipboards and wearing unreadable smiles.

Joong looked effortlessly in control, like he belonged there.

And in his other hand?

A list.

Dunk barely had time to process Joong's cold stare , when a sharp sound echoed through the empty hall.

A senior girl - clipboard clutched tightly to her chest - cleared her throat loudly.

Senior (voice carrying across the auditorium):
"You two at the back. You're late."

Dunk blinked once, slowly.

Late?
For what?
The message had only said gathering for information, not an interrogation under stadium lights.

Love (whispering, panicked):
"I-I swear it said nine! We're on time!"

Dunk didn't reply. He just shoved his hands in his pockets and walked forward, his footsteps echoing like gunshots in the heavy, quiet room.

He felt Joong's eyes on him the whole way.
Cold. Measuring.
Like he was something Joong was already planning how to break apart.

Dunk exhaled slowly, schooling his face into a bored mask.

Whatever this was - he wasn't going to be the first one to blink.

The senior girl's voice snapped again, sharper this time:

Senior:
"Sit down. Fast."

Before Dunk could react, Love grabbed his wrist and tugged him toward an empty row of seats.

Love (whispering):
"Come on!"

In her rush, she misjudged the distance - and the both of them stumbled forward, Dunk barely catching his balance before collapsing into a chair.