Aaron’s first week in the loop served only to drive home the severity of whatever was killing the students. It started with his class and took place between 11:40 and noon. In that 20 minute interval there were almost no noises. It all happened suddenly and between the noise in other classrooms and the time of day it sounded like simple excitement.

Aaron wasn’t able to find any way to affect the response to the incident after the fact and by the end of his second week he decided that a change in plans was in order.

His first plan was to see Alice in the morning. Over the course of the two weeks he had determined that her leaving the classroom was a constant in the loop. She had been asked to see a teacher during the lunch period which was why she was out of the classroom.

Aaron had also determined that Grant was the only other student in their class who wasn't in the classroom at the time and thus the only other student alive at the end of the day.

“Morning Alice.”

“Good morning Aaron. Are you planning on attending any classes this week? The week is almost over you know.”

“I might. Has anything odd happened recently? I’ve had a bad feeling all week.”

“No, I didn’t think you cared about the class.”

“I don’t. Generally I only get these feelings when it affect people I care about.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah, I guess I will ask again later.”

Aaron asked around. There weren’t many people who were comfortable talking to him so he didn't have many people he could ask. Aaron didn’t expect anything to come of it; Alice kept herself well appraised of the events around her. If there wasn’t anything she could think of then it was either something he couldn’t find out or Aaron was asking her the wrong questions. Either way asking his other acquaintances was more to show Alice that he was concerned than a chance for Aaron to find any new information. When he stopped by the classroom that afternoon she would have had a chance to gather information and might have an answer for him.

“Seems odd Aaron.”

“What does?”

“You have me drug Alice’s food. Then you set after some bit of information you want.”

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

“Ron, have faith. I have a plan in mind.”

“Still seems odd. Especially considering the cost of the favor.”

“I’m working on a short time frame. Is there any chance it will affect her before noon?”

“Some. Just be sure you’re near her when it happens. If you aren’t then both of us are in trouble.”

The day passed slowly. Aaron wasn’t happy with his actions but at this point his options were limited. His plan was to keep Alice from discovering the scene in the class room. It seemed possible that if Alice didn't force the issue at noon then there would be a change in the outcome. Aaron wasn’t expecting the problem to suddenly solve itself. He just hoped that removing alice from the chain of events would give him some new information.

“Alice.”

“Hello Aaron, good afternoon. I take it you will actually attend a class today?”

“Nope. Grant wanted me to return a book to him, I didn't see him at breakfast so i ended up coming now.”

“Ah, The reason you didn’t see him is because he is out sick. In fact, I don't know if this is what you were talking about this morning but there seems to be something going around.”

“Hm, did you think of anything else since this morning?”

“No, Just that your feelings are fairly accurate, when you have them.” Alice frowned. “Seeing as you seem to intend to skip the rest of the day I would like you to accompany me back to my dorm room. After, we report my absence. I seem to feel a little under the weather myself.”

“Sure, it seems the least I could do; you always seem to enjoy seeing me lectured.”

Alice passed out before they reached the attendance office. After some debate Aaron decided to report that Alice was leaving early.

“Yes ma'am, Alice had asked me to take her back before she fainted.”

“I still don't know how you manage so many excused absences. Very well.”

Alice’s absence in the afternoon had a pronounced effect on events. When the students returned they had subdued expressions. They knew what had happened and had wandered home without thinking. Once he had an estimate on the number of the students who were missing, only a third of the dorm students had returned, he went back to Alice’s room to wait until she woke up.

“Good evening Alice. It’s just about midnight.”

“Then am I to take this as some sort of night visit?”

“No, this is me offering to cook you dinner and informing you that something happened while you were asleep.”

Alice sat there, with a slightly panicked look of concern on her face. “What happened?”

“I’m not sure. Most of the dorm students didn’t return. Those who did returned late with a look on their face. A look that makes me think something… bad happened.”

“Well then… I will find you in kitchen four. Here is the key to refrigerator 3. Use my food as you would like… I would enjoy some pasta. As I understand it you make a delicious meat sauce, and it seems I could use some comfort food.”