My breath fogs up the screen of my handbook as I shakily turn it on. The familiar green glow is harsh on my tired eyes, and I squint, attempting to get used to the brightness. I lift my spare arm to wipe the fog off the screen, accidentally selecting one of the lists on the handbook.

6/16 living
10/16 dead

I can't help but frown. "Thanks for reminding me," I mutter, the phrase nearly unintelligible due to my exhaustion. I drop the handbook, and it opens one of the "dead" profiles.

S[REDACTED] M[REDACTED]
[PHOTO NOT AVAILIBLE]
[REDACTED]

I freeze, my eyes widening. I know those initials. I know them. I slowly reach out a shaking hand to press the "Next" button, when suddenly I feel a hand on my wrist.

"You can save a bird, but you can't save me? Pathetic!"

I look up to see the ghost of one of my old friends in front of me, her once bright blue eyes now an empty, glowing white. I pull my hand back and open my mouth to speak, but the words fail me. I reach for her hand one more time, but she just grins and disappears. I sigh, and my handbook beeps, switching to the next profile, albeit without my command.

L[REDACTED] K[REDACTED]
[PHOTO NOT AVAILIBLE]
[REDACTED]

I reach for the handbook again and press the "Back" arrow, but it dings as if to indicate there's nothing to go back to. I frown and close my eyes, only to be disturbed by another voice.

"You're pathetic, kid! The girl's mine, idiot!"

I open my eyes again. Another ghost. Another old friend. I pick up the handbook and throw it at him, and he disappears the moment it makes contact. The handbook thuds to the ground, but doesn't break, instead moving to the next profile.

C[REDACTED] F[REDACTED]
[PHOTO NOT AVAILIBLE]
[REDACTED]

I don't even try at this point. I watch as the next ghost appears.

"Keep your secrets... Or they'll kill you..."

This one seems to stay the longest, eventually fading on its own as the next appears.

M[REDACTED] O[REDACTED]
[PHOTO NOT AVAILIBLE]
[REDACTED]
"Don't bottle up your emotions or you'll lose everyone you love. You're not strong. You're an idiot."

And the next two...

K[REDACTED] I[REDACTED] AND Y[REDACTED] H[REDACTED]
[PHOTOS NOT AVAILIBLE]
[REDACTED] AND [REDACTED]
"Trust no one. They'll take everything from you."

And the next.

C[REDACTED] L[REDACTED]
[PHOTO NOT AVAILIBLE]
[REDACTED]
"Lying gets you everywhere in life. Including dead."

Finally, I reached the last two. They dragged me out of my bed, pinning me against the wall, grins on their faces.

M[REDACTED] I[REDACTED] AND J[REDACTED] E[REDACTED]
[PHOTOS NOT AVAILIBLE]
[REDACTED] AND [REDACTED]
"You are but a pawn in the plans of those who love you!"
"Hope always loses to Despair!"

Suddenly, as the two disappear, I feel sharp stabbing pains all over, and slowly close my eyes, falling asleep once more.

"Goodbye."