The final story in Mimi Mondal’s (miminality)” Blood Ties” series, created for the Interdependence issue of #Spiralmagazine, unravels the last threads of mystery, memory, and connection in Briarwood. Anywhere feels like an adventure when Paco and EJ are together—but nothing could’ve prepared them for UoM–Briarwood. They were thrilled to get in, imagining a break from Chicago’s chaos. But what really drew them was the university’s legendary place in LGBTQ+ history. 🏳️‍🌈 Within a week, Paco had already nominated his future husband: Jesus Ocampo, a blond, blue-eyed computer science major. Tonight, they’re headed to the Campfire Vampires Spring Break party, one of many nods to Briarwood’s eerie past. Everyone’s in on the joke…or so it seems. Paco laughed when EJ bought a Dracula plushie in school colors. But he’s not laughing now. Because at this party, the joke goes too far. And what they find leaves them in horror—because the rumors might be true. 🧛 In a night of revelations, Pa...