"No," you finally scoff after staring blankly at Feferi for what seems like eternity. "This is some shit, right? You're in on this too?" You bark out a laugh. "This is rich. Fucking priceless."
"Dave," Rose says, placing a hand on your shoulder. "I think she's serious..."
"Yeah. And I'm fucking Kris Kringle himself," you hiss back, glaring at Feferi. "If this is some sick joke, it's not funny."
She frowns and pleads, "Dave, I wouldn't lie about this..."
"Prove it!" You snap.
She sighs and turns on her computer, motioning you over. The four of you leave your seats and make your way over to her, looking at the screen from over her shoulder. Her fingers fly across the keys as she types in his name and pulls up the first article. You read aloud:

"Houston Teens Commit Mass Suicide; RPG At Blame

A group of teenagers took their own lives yesterday in Houston, Texas. It was reported that they were avid fans of a medieval RPG game called Homestuck, which was where the suicides took place. According to the game's tech team, the teens had been sending suicidal messages through the game's chat room when they caught wind of the threats. By then, it was too late.
Karkat Vantas, or CarcinoGenetecist as he's known as in  Homestuck, was recorded as the first to take his own life. The others followed suit shortly afterwards. 'He used a revolver,' The chief of the Houston Police Department claimed when asked about the death of the young seventeen-year-old. 'The bullet went straight through. It killed him instantaneously.'
He was supposedly the ringleader of the depression group they'd called the Dead Hearts Club [DHC]. After his death, eighteen-year-old Equius Zahaak (CentarsTestical), fifteen-year-old Nepeta Leijon (ArsenicCatnip), seventeen-year-old Roxy Lalonde (TipsyGnostalgic), seventeen-year-old Eridan Ampora (CaligulasAquarium), eighteen-year-old Sollux Captor (TwinArmeggeddons), and sixteen-year-old Aradia Megido (ApocalypseArisen) followed through with their threats.
When asked about the suicides, the creator of Homestuck, Andrew Hussie, told us, 'After the deaths of these kids, we've decided it would be best to close the game for a while.' It's yet to be determined as to whether the game will ever be up again or not. As of now, the creators are facing several lawsuits. Their sincerest condolences have been offered to the families of the teens and to the Houston community."

By the end, your voice is barely above a whisper. You have to use her desk to hold yourself up. The room is spinning and all of a sudden you feel dizzy. You feel dizzy and nauseous and you think you might faint. John helps you to a chair as Jade asks, "Are you okay?"
"I knew them all," you practically whimper, pulling your legs to your chest and resting your forehead on your knees in an attempt to stay conscious.
"You knew them all?" John repeats.
You nod. "I met all of them... Everything was exactly as the article said... All the names... The threats... The suicides themselves, or at least Karkat's... I never knew the others took their lives, too... That wasn't in my dream..."
"I know this must be hard for you," Feferi coos sympathetically.
"We can go back to my house," Jade offers. "Poppop just bought a ton of icecream and renewed our Netflix subscription. We can go and try to get your mind off everything."
You contemplate it for a moment before finally forcing yourself to your feet and shaking your head. "No."
"No?" Rose reiterates dubiously.
"No," you confirm, grabbing your things.
"Then where are we going?" John questions, following your lead.
"I need to go to the only place that'll have the answers I need," you inform him as you open the door.
"Which is?" Jade quips.
"The place where I first saw him," you tell her, glancing back. "We're going to Karkat's house."

~ ~ ~

When you pull up in front of his house, the front door is open, a moving truck parked in the driveway. The back is open and is almost entirely full of boxes and furniture. The four of you glance around at each other looking perplexed as you exit the car and trek over to the vehicle.
A tall, well built man with light brown hair and a five o'clock shadow is sitting in the back, his eyes closed as he attempts to catch his breath. Once you draw close enough, his chestnut eyes flutter open and fix on you. He smiles warmly and stands, brushing his hands on his pants. "Hello. May I help you?"
Jade nudges you as you step forward, clearing your throat and holding your hand out to him. "Hello, sir. My names Dave Strider. These are my friends, John and Jade, and my cousin, Rose. We were wondering if we could ask you a few questions, but I can see you're in the middle of something at the moment."
The man shakes your hand, waving dismissively with the other. "Nonsense. A few questions couldn't hurt. Besides," his voice drops to a whisper as he says, "I could stand to relax and take a break for a few minutes." He releases your hand and motions you along, making his way inside. The four of you follow as he leads you to the kitchen, taking a seat at the table and beckoning you to sit with him. "So, what's on your mind, Mr. Strider?"
You all take a seat, your foot nervously tapping on the floor as you speak. "Would you, by chance, know the former tenant of this house? A young man by the name of Karkat Vantas?"
The current owner looks absolutely bewildered for a moment. When he finally speaks, his words are slow and cautious, each one carefully picked out. "I do... He was my son, but he took his own life three years ago... Why do you ask...?"
Your eyes widen in surprise as you quickly apologize. "I'm sorry, sir. I had no idea you were his father."
Mr. Vantas shakes his head. "It's alright. I understand. You can call me Noah, by the way. But please do go on."
You nod and clear your throat. "I know this is going to sound insane but... I had a dream about your son. It was so realistic. It spanned over a few months time and lead up to the night he..." You cough and continue. "The thing is that I've never once heard of him before this dream, yet I knew every detail of what happened. His doctor, Miss Feferi Peixes, said she also dreamt of him last night. I was in her dream, too, although we've never met and... I just need answers..."
Noah listens to your tale, never once interrupting. When you're finally done, he mutters, "Since he's been gone, my wife has gotten very interested in the idea of 'ghosts' and 'mediums', for she believes she can still communicate with him. I thought she was losing it until now. She would talk about getting an Ouija board to speak with him and all sorts of ridiculous nonsense.
She had a dream about him two night ago and insisted we move out today. She told me that he said we needed to leave by tonight or else. She was scared out of her wits, so I agreed. Our things are going into storage until we can find another house. Until then, we'll be staying with her sister." He shakes his head. "She seems to think he's behind all of this. Whatever this is."
"He is," a voice rings out from behind him. A short, plump woman with long, dark brown hair and olive eyes steps out from the shadows of the hallway and goes on. "I told you, Noah. He has a goal. He knows what he wants, and we have to comply. I don't know what's happening around here. Whatever it is, though, it's premeditated. Someone had this planned out, and I know that my son was the cause of it."
He rolls his eyes. "Theresa, you're reading too far into all of this."
Theresa's eyes flicker to you as she asks, "You believe me, don't you? He's coordinating something. He's communicating with us. He chose us because we know better," she adds, glaring at her husband. Her gaze settles back on you as she repeats, "You do believe me, don't you?"
Though the look Noah is giving you says to deny it, you decide to tell her the truth. "I do. I refuse to believe this is nothing."
She beams at that and ruffles your hair. "See, Noah? Karkat knows how to pick them." Kneeling down in front of you, Theresa whispers, "You know, I wish he'd have known you when he was alive. You're a good boy. I can tell." She then stands and says, "Noah, we need to finish. The time for us to leave is nigh. Hurry along," she chirps, rushing out the front door and grabbing a box from the table to take with her.
"Yes, dear," he replies, groaning softly. Snagging a pen and a notepad from the counter, he jots down a phone number and murmurs, "I'm afraid that's all we'll have time for. Here is my number. If you ever need us for anything, especially concerning Karkat, give me a call and let me know." He then tears out the page and folds it, standing and handing it to you as he passes. "It was a pleasure to meet you all."
You grab his arm and stutter. "W-Wait. I have one more question."
"Ask away," he replies.
"In my dream, Karkat said you and your wife traveled around protesting, but you don't look like the type. Is that true?" You ask lamely.
Noah chuckles softly. "We're politicians, so I suppose in a respect we do. Just not necessarily in the manner he described."
You nod slowly and shove the paper into your pocket. "Okay... We'll be in touch."
Mr. Vantas nods. "Agreed. Have a good afternoon," he calls back as he exits the house. The four of you slowly follow. Not a word is spoken as you file back into the car. Not a syllable is uttered as the drive progresses. Not a breath is taken as you're dropped off at your apartment complex twenty minutes after school officially ends.
The journey up the stairs to your home is silent. The walk to your room is hollow and eerily quiet. Your door  locks. The springs to your bed creak as you sit. Before you know it, the sun is beginning to set behind the buildings of Houston. As the bright orange star sinks in the sky, the knowledge that you'll never again see the love of your life sinks in as well. That thought alone reminds you of how bitter your life is without Karkat Vantas and why it's practically not even worth living without him.