Mia flopped onto her bed, her dark curls bouncing as she giggled. "Honestly, after last night's horror movie binge, you could have convinced me you were haunted. I mean, did you really need to scream, 'Why am I in a cemetery?' in your sleep? I thought the ghost was coming for you!"
Olivia rubbed her temples, the memory of the dream still vivid in her mind. The chill of the cemetery air clung to her like an unwelcome shadow.
The gravestone she touched, the pull toward something forbidden—it felt too real. "Yeah, well, maybe I'm just trying to keep the spirits entertained. You know, find a side gig as a ghost whisperer."
Mia snorted. "Great plan! Maybe you can charge them rent. I hear the ghost economy is booming, especially in cheap dorms like ours."
"Right? I could really use some extra cash," Olivia replied, forcing a smile despite the knot of anxiety tightening in her stomach.
She couldn't shake the feeling that last night's dream was more than just a product of late-night horror movies. "But I doubt they accept roommate agreements. You know how picky they are about paperwork."
"Speaking of which," Mia said, nudging her, "are we still on for that grave-cleaning job tonight? I hear it pays enough for a month's rent! We could throw in some ghost tours for fun and profit."
"Sure, as long as I don't have to clean up after any actual ghosts. I'm not sure how I feel about sharing my workspace with the undead," Olivia joked, though the image of the shadowy figure in her dream sent a shiver down her spine. That pull she felt... like the cemetery was calling her.
"Come on! It'll be an adventure! And who knows, maybe we'll even run into a handsome ghost. You know, the kind that wears old-fashioned suits and offers to take us on moonlit strolls."
"Yeah, because nothing says romance like midnight strolls among tombstones," Olivia laughed, though the thought of returning to the cemetery filled her with a strange sense of dread. "I can just picture it: 'Oh, darling, do you come here often? Because I'm bound to this grave for eternity.'"
Mia giggled. "Well, as long as he appreciates a good pun, I'm in!"
As they prepared for their classes, Olivia's heart raced. The dream clung to her mind like a spider's web, and a strange sense of anticipation swelled within her. She knew something waited for her at the cemetery—something far beyond just a job. That gravestone, with its strange symbol, felt like a key to something deeper. The nagging feeling of urgency felt almost like a call, pulling her toward the unknown.
Dripping water droplets echoed in the small bathroom as Olivia stood under the cold shower, trying to wash away the remnants of her vivid dream. The scent of moss and decay still lingered in her nose, and she could almost hear the whispers of the shadowy figure, beckoning her closer. What did it mean? Why had she dreamed of that gravestone? The eerie images replayed like a haunting melody in her mind.
Once she finished her shower, Olivia wrapped herself in a towel and stepped into her dimly lit bedroom. The familiar sight of her cluttered desk and unmade bed greeted her, but before she could settle into her thoughts, Mia burst in, makeup kit in hand.
"Time to glam up, Olivia!" Mia declared, holding up a tube of lipstick like it was a magic wand. "We're going out tonight, and I refuse to let you go all ghostly."
"Thanks, but I'm not really feeling it," Olivia replied, still preoccupied with her thoughts. "I can't stop thinking about that dream."
"The dream again?" Mia asked, this time more serious. "You've been having it for a while now, haven't you?"
Olivia nodded, sinking into her bed. "Yeah, but this one felt different. There was this... gravestone, and it wasn't like the others. I couldn't read it, but there was a symbol. And when I touched it, I felt... something. Like I wasn't supposed to be there. Like I'd crossed a line."
Mia leaned closer, intrigued. "Crossed a line? You mean like a curse or something?"
"I don't know. Maybe." Olivia ran a hand through her damp hair. "It's stupid, but it felt real. Too real."
Mia shrugged. "Well, if we run into any cursed gravestones tonight, I'll be sure to steer clear. But come on, focus on the present! We have a night of grave-cleaning ahead, not a séance!" Mia said, applying blush with exaggerated flair. "Now come here! We're making you look less like a zombie."
Just as Olivia started to smile at Mia's antics, her phone buzzed on the desk. She glanced at the screen, her heart skipping a beat when she saw a number she didn't recognize. Hesitant, she answered the call.
"Hello?" Olivia said, half-listening to Mia's playful commentary in the background.
"Is this Olivia?" a warm, gravelly voice asked from the other end. "This is Evelyn Price, calling about the grave-cleaner position."
"Yes, it is," Olivia replied, her curiosity piqued. "I—uh, saw the posting online. Is it still available?"
"Absolutely," Evelyn said, her tone kind but with a hint of inquiry. "I was wondering if you and Mia were still interested in taking the job tonight. The compensation remains as outlined in the post."
Olivia thought of the pay, enough to cover their rent for the month with just one night's work.
"Really? That sounds... too good to be true," Olivia replied, skepticism creeping in.
"Trust me, dear. It's real work, and I promise you'll be safe," Evelyn reassured her. "I need someone who is respectful of the dead and can help maintain the cemetery's beauty. You'll be working alongside me."
As Olivia contemplated the offer, she glanced at Mia, who raised her eyebrows in encouragement. They were both in tough spots, struggling to make ends meet as orphans in college. The idea of earning enough to ease their financial burden was tempting.
"Okay, I'm in," Olivia said, deciding to trust her instincts. "What time should I meet you?"
"Meet me at the 'Signum Caini' cemetery around midnight. I'll show you the ropes. Just bring your courage and a willingness to learn," Evelyn replied, her voice filled with warmth.
"Got it. See you then!" Olivia hung up, a mix of excitement and anxiety bubbling within her.
"Well?" Mia asked, her eyes sparkling with intrigue. "Are we really doing this?"
"Yeah, we are," Olivia confirmed, feeling a strange sense of purpose. "Evelyn seems nice, but... there's something about this job. I just can't shake the feeling that it's more than it seems."
"More than just cleaning graves?" Mia quipped. "Great! I was hoping for some ghostly adventure!"
As they finished getting ready for their classes, Olivia couldn't help but wonder what awaited them at the cemetery. The gravestone from her dream, the symbol she couldn't quite place—it all seemed connected somehow. Little did she know, the night would hold secrets that would challenge everything she thought she knew about the living and the dead.