Claire reached her dorm without issue, thankfully. She closed her door behind her and dropped her bag. It thudded to the floor, and a second later her legs gave out and she fell next to it. What in the world? She wrapped her arms around her legs and hugged them tight to her chest. 

The actual events of the day were scary, she supposed. If nothing else, she had very little experience with death, so seeing a man die in front of her was a bit upsetting. She’d probably find it extremely upsetting, except she could barely spare the mental energy to consider him. 

No, the real problem was her behavior. Why had she gone to warn them? Why had she then stayed in what was clearly going to be a dangerous situation? Why had she asked them to join her? 

She knew the answer, of course. It all came back to that damnable resonance. Ever since Glenn had touched her earlier, she found herself behaving entirely unlike herself. Not that it was his fault, of course. It was an issue Sensors had in general anyway, and she’d experienced pseudo-resonance many times. However, never had someone’s mere presence altered her so thoroughly. Was this how true resonance always behaved?

While frustrating and somewhat upsetting, she could tolerate that much. It was just one more thing she had to learn to deal with. However, much like the first time she’d experienced pseudo-resonance, it was the effect of that resonance that she found disturbing. The moment blood had coated the room, she’d felt a wave of pleasure. Part of her had hoped to see even more death, knowing it would feel wonderful. Even now, she wanted to lick her fingers and taste blood.

As a child, the feelings pseudo-resonance had aroused in her had been traumatic because she hadn’t been able to tell that they weren’t her feelings. However, Claire found that this was still quite alarming, even knowing that the feelings came from someone else. She wasn’t sure about the intelligence of spending time around someone who got off on watching a man die. 

She’d already made plans with them, though, she reasoned. 

And she could break them, she reminded herself. …But she wouldn’t. She groaned and lowered her head onto her knees.

That’s how her roommate found her. Vera Writ prodded Claire with her toe. “You still alive?” 

Claire groaned and tipped herself over, feigning death. 

Vera snorted. “Right. Well, if you kick the bucket, mind leaving me your body? I hear Sensors’ bodies are uniquely good at conducting magic, even after death.” 

“Depends, are you planning on having sex with it or just making it do your dirty work?” Claire mumbled. 

“Either or,” Vera said, stepping over her roommate and into the kitchenette. “Are you telling me you care what happens to it?” 

Claire lifted her head and examined the other girl. “I guess not. I’ll trust you not to do anything too gross.” The Writs practiced necromancy, but each one’s focus differed. Vera had until her last year at university to declare her life’s work, and unlike some, she was playing things close to the vest. Still, Vera was one of the more likable Writs. She probably wouldn’t use Claire’s body in the same ways her brother was known for. 

Vera hummed non-committedly. “So what’s got the infamous Claire Benefeld depressed?” 

Claire pouted as she got up off the ground and brushed herself off. “I experienced true resonance.” 

Vera stared at her for a moment before resuming cooking. “Congratulations?” 

“I think he’s got a murder fetish,” Claire said flatly. 

Vera winced. “Well, at least with true resonance, you’ll affect him as much as he’ll affect you.” She paused. “Sounds like my type, though. Think his magic’s got room for a second resonance?” 

“He’s already got a girlfriend,” Claire said, deciding that was the simplest way to describe RIN. 

Vera huffed and sat down with her bowl of soup. “Figures. Well, there’s nothing wrong with a bit of death, you know.” 

Claire shot her roommate a look and started making her own dinner. “You just want him to kill me so you get a body to play with.” 

“I promise to use it well,” Vera said virtuously. “Your name will go down in history as the greatest corpse to ever exist. And hey, at least it’ll be okay for him. If he’s got a murder fetish, a relationship with an animated corpse is probably right up his alley. Sure, it’s not your ideal, but at least everyone else gets a happy end.” 

Claire gave the girl a disgusted look. “I’m considering rescinding my permission.” 

Vera backtracked. “On second thought, fuck him. Why should he get to be happy if you aren’t? If he kills you, I promise to avenge you spectacularly. Who is he anyway?” 

“Glenn Butcher,” Claire said with a sigh.

“Oh. That’s a shame. He’s so pretty, too.” Vera wrinkled her nose. “I guess it’s true about the quiet ones. You’re sure it’s true resonance and not your usual Sensor shit?” 

“Mhm. Saw him questioning his actions a few times. He’s affected.” 

“Well, you’ll just have to give him some better interests then,” Vera said. “Good luck.”

“Thanks.”