It was the end if the school day. Miguél and Matthew were in there respective rooms in the North American dorm. Matthew was getting a headstart on his big essay while Miguél was eating a burrito.

Matthew looked over to him and sighed. "You know, Miguél, the sooner we start on that essay, the sooner we can start focusing on our other tasks for the school year, eh."

"But I can't work on an empty stomach, amígo."

"We just ate thirty minutes ago, eh."

"You think a small bowl of oatmeal with some fruits and granola here and there is enough to satisfy my hunger?"

"Miguél-"

"You know, Matthew, we Mexicans have a saying: 'Barriga llena, corazón contento.'"

Matthew raised an eyebrow. "Eh? What does that mean?"

Miguél grinned. "Full stomach, happy heart."

Matthew rolled his eyes. "And you criticize Alfred for his eating habits."

"Oy! Burritos and burgers are not the same thing!"

"Maybe in shape..."

"Oy!-"

Suddenly, the door slammed open, making the two North Americans jump in surprise.

Turns out it was just their American roomate.

"Darnit, Al, you scared the living daylights outta us, eh."

"I could've shot you, gringo."

Alfred rolled his eyes. "C'mon Mig, you and I both know that the Academy doesn't allow firearms on campus." Alfred looked back and muttered. "Unfortunately..."

The two other North Americans ignored his mutter.

"So, Al, how did that tutoring session with Benjamin go?"

Alfred grinned. "Don't mean how did my tutoring session with Benjamin 'Goh'?" He seemed like he was trying not to laugh.

As much as he hates him, Miguél couldn't help but snicker with him.

"Alfred F. Jones!" Matthew scolded.

"Aww c'mon Matt. You gotta admit," Alfred snickered. "That was pretty clever."

"Sí, sí." Miguél agreed. "Even I must admit that; and I don't even like this dude."

Matthew just rolled his eyes at their immaturity and went back on typing his essay as the other two were having their moment and laughing at the pun Alfred made.

===

Later that night, in their room, while Matthew and Miguél were sound asleep, Alfred was still on his phone, surfing the internet.

He was on some random website, reading through some scary rituals while ignoring the fact that it was scaring himself sh!tless.

He was scared, yet intrigued.

There was one ritual in particular that caught his attention.

The Midnight Man.

Not only did he read instructions on the website, but went even further to research more on the ritual. He read about personal peoples' experiences, the short and long-term consequences, everything there is to know about this ritual.

After an hour and a half of researching, he decided to call it a night and put his phone down on the bedside table.

As he did, he saw Matthew staring at him creepily from the bed next to his and almost screamed.

"The f*** man?!" Alfred whisper-yelled. "I thought you were asleep!"

"I could say the same about you, eh. Turns out we're both wrong." Matthew whispered back in a monotone voice and a straight face. "Go to sleep, Al."

//to be continued...