The Dead Do Not Rest (Beloved In Decay 5)

The graveyard felt different now.

The Whispering Man had vanished, but his presence lingered, thick and unseen, a specter that did

not need flesh to haunt. The tombstones seemed taller, their jagged edges cutting through the night like ancient teeth. The sky, still bruised by the Blood Moon’s eerie glow, pulsed overhead, casting

long, hungry shadows across the disturbed earth.

But it was not the graveyard Ethan feared.

It was Lillian.

She stood in the center of the destruction, her curls wild, her dark dress clinging to her body like ink spilled across porcelain. Her chest rose and fell in slow, steady breaths, but her eyes burned, gold-flecked, alive, filled with something that had not been there before.

Satisfaction.

Excitement.

She was reveling in this.

Ethan should have turned away. Should have left her in the graveyard with the whispering dead and the lingering scent of decay. But his feet did not move.

She turned toward him, slowly, deliberately. The wind lifted her hair, strands curling like fingers

reaching for him. The air between them was thick,with something unseen, something unspoken, something that had been growing between them since the night they met.

He should have told her to stop.

But he didn’t.

Because, God help him, he wanted this.

A Hunger Between Them

Lillian took a step forward, her boots silent against the damp earth. She walked as if the ground had been made for her, as if the graveyard was not a place of mourning, but of rebirth.

Ethan’s breathing was slow, uneven.

She stopped just inches from him, the scent of rain and old parchment curling around his senses.

But beneath it was something richer, something darker,something that smelled like night itself.

Her gaze flickered over his face, her lips parting slightly, as if she could taste the tension between

them.

"You felt it, didn't you?" she whispered. Her voice was silk and shadow, a quiet hymn meant only

for him.

Ethan swallowed hard.

"What?"

Her smile was slow, teasing, but there was nothing innocent about it.

"The moment he said your name."

His stomach tightened.

Of course he had felt it. The way the corpse’s voice had curled around his bones, the way the

Whispering Man’s presence had unraveled something inside him that should have never been touched.

Lillian lifted a hand, brushing her fingertips along the edge of his sleeve.

Not touching, not quite. Just enough for him to feel the ghost of her warmth against his skin.

Ethan’s breath hitched.

Lillian’s eyes gleamed beneath the crimson light.

"You’re not afraid of death," she murmured. Her fingers trailed up, just slightly, a featherlight touch against the inside of his wrist. "But are you afraid of what comes after?"

Ethan clenched his jaw.

He should step back. Should pull away from the slow, deliberate way she was closing the distance

between them.

But he didn’t.

He couldn’t.

Because her voice was curling around him like a spell, her presence wrapping through his ribs like ivy creeping through an abandoned cathedral.

And then,she was closer.

Close enough that he could feel her breath against his throat.

Close enough that her lips hovered just over his.

Close enough that, for a moment,nothing else existed.

Then,a sound.

A rustling in the distance.

A whisper among the trees.

Ethan’s body tensed. The moment shattered like glass beneath a careless hand.

Lillian exhaled sharply, stepping back just as a slow, dragging noise echoed through the graveyard.

Not footsteps.

Something heavier. Something pulling itself from the earth.

Ethan turned, his pulse spiking.

The open grave.

The one where the first corpse had risen.

It was moving again.

The dirt shuddered, cracks threading through the wet soil, as if something beneath was struggling to escape.

And then, through the silence, a single, wet, shuddering breath.

Lillian smiled.

Ethan’s blood turned to ice.

Because she was not afraid.

She had been waiting for this.

The Ones Who Came Before

The grave buckled.

A hand burst from the dirt,gray, rotting, the fingernails cracked and curling inward. It flexed once, twice, before digging into

the earth, pulling.

Then came another hand.

Then,a face.

Ethan’s stomach twisted.

The eyes were empty sockets, but somehow, they saw. The mouth, barely clinging to flesh,

twitched at the corners, as if trying to remember how to smile.

A second grave moved.

Then a third.

And then,a fourth.

The whispering had stopped.

Because they no longer needed to speak.

The dead had heard their call.

And now,they were answering.

Ethan stepped back. "Lillian"

But she turned to him, and her expression was not one of fear.

It was triumph.

Her eyes were dark and gleaming, her lips still parted as if she had tasted something forbidden and

found she liked it.

She reached for him again, but this time, he did pull away.

Lillian tilted her head, studying him the way a painter studies a half-finished masterpiece.

"You wanted to know what came next," she whispered.

The wind picked up, howling through the graves, lifting her hair in wild, frantic curls. The bodies

continued to rise, pulling themselves from the earth, dragging the weight of their past lives with

them.

Ethan’s heart slammed against his ribs.

How to Understand and Improve Your Chances with Harvard Law School's Acceptance Rate

Harvard Law School is among the most selective law schools in the world. Understanding what the acceptance rate means, how it is calculated, and what concrete steps you can take to improve your chances will help you approach the application process strategically rather than emotionally. This guide lays out the facts, explains recent trends, and gives a step-by-step action plan you can implement whether you are applying to the J.D., LL.M., or S.J.D. programs.

What the acceptance rate actually measures

The acceptance rate is the percentage of applicants who receive an offer of admission. It does not measure how many of those admits enroll; that is called the yield. For the J.D. Class of 2028 Harvard reported 8,917 applications, 816 offers of admission, and 579 enrolled first-year students, which corresponds to an admit rate of about 9.2 percent. That number is a snapshot of one cycle and can move modestly year to year depending on application volume and class size. (HLS Class Profile) 0

Why the acceptance rate matters - and its limits

Rankings, headlines and social posts use acceptance rate to demonstrate selectivity. That is a useful shorthand for applicants to gauge competitiveness, but it does not predict individual outcomes. The rate measures the crowding of the applicant pool, not whether any particular file is a fit for Harvard. The best practical response is to focus on strengthenable parts of your application rather than the headline percentage.

How applicant profiles shape decisions

Harvard publishes class profile statistics that show academic percentiles for admitted students. For the Class of 2028 the LSAT 25th, 50th, and 75th percentiles were 171, 174, and 176; GPA percentiles were 3.89, 3.96, and 4.00. These numbers show that most admitted students have strong academic credentials, but Harvard also weighs professional experience, leadership, and diversity of perspective in a holistic review. (HLS Class Profile) 1

Recent application volume trends

Nationally, law school applications rose sharply in the 2024-2025 cycle, producing a larger applicant pool at many top schools. A higher volume of applicants increases competition for the same number of seats, so careful strategy and timing matter more when cycle sizes expand. For discussion of the 2024–2025 surge in law applications see current reporting on national trends. (Investopedia report) 2

Five myths about Harvard’s acceptance rate

Myth: The acceptance rate predicts your outcome. The rate is aggregate data and does not determine individual fate.
Myth: Only perfect scores win. Very high academic numbers are common, but exceptional life or work achievements can also stand out.
Myth: Applying early guarantees admission. Meeting deadlines is essential, but the process remains holistic.
Myth: International applicants have no chance. Harvard admits qualified international students regularly.
Myth: Prestige alone secures admission. Committees look for fit and contribution as well as credentials.

A concise step-by-step strategy to strengthen your file

Below are practical, prioritized steps applicants should follow to present a competitive, balanced application.

Academics - Aim for a strong LSAT or GRE and an undergraduate record that demonstrates sustained rigor. If GPA is weak, consider additional coursework or a graduate program to show academic momentum.
Narrative - Write a focused personal statement that tells a clear story. Use a short, concrete anecdote to reveal character and explain why law and Harvard matter for your goals.
Recommendations - Pick referees who know your work deeply. Provide them a one-page brief that lists accomplishments and context so their letters can cite specifics.
Experience - Prioritize meaningful, substantive work: research, public interest placements, policy roles, or professional responsibilities that show collaboration and analysis.
Fit - Articulate how Harvard’s clinics, faculty, or programs map to your plans and how you will add a perspective to the class community.

Practical application logistics and timeline

A typical timeline helps you allocate effort. Start early and be methodical:

T minus 12–18 months: Research programs, take diagnostic LSATs, and build a long-range study plan.
T minus 9–12 months: Sit for LSAT/GRE, draft personal statement, and identify recommenders.
T minus 6–9 months: Finalize essays, secure transcripts, and proofread every part of the application.
T minus 3–6 months: Submit applications and monitor the portal for updates or requests.
Two months before matriculation: Complete financial aid paperwork, finalize housing, and prepare enrollment items.

Understanding yield and waitlist mechanics

Harvard typically issues more offers than seats and relies on yield modeling and a waitlist to fill the class. If you are offered admission you will be given an enrollment deadline; if waitlisted, provide a substantive update letter only when you have meaningful new evidence to share. Avoid excessive or emotional contact; quality updates beat quantity.

International applicants - visas and funding

International applicants should plan admissions, visa, and funding tracks in parallel. Research national scholarships, fellowships, and employer sponsorships early because federal U.S. loan options may not apply. Prepare clear documentation for both admissions and visa processes if admitted.

Applying for graduate-level programs (LL.M., S.J.D.)

LL.M. and S.J.D. admissions emphasize prior legal experience, scholarly writing, and research fit. LL.M. applicants should showcase any publications, litigation experience, or policy work and secure referees who can assess legal ability. Selection factors and acceptance percentages vary across graduate cohorts and years, so consult program-specific guidance.

What admissions committees actually read for

Committees seek academic ability, intellectual curiosity, character, and the capacity to contribute to class discussion. Concrete evidence of leadership, resilience, or public commitment often carries more weight than vague claims. Use concrete examples and measurable impact in your materials.

How to craft a high-impact personal statement

A strong personal statement usually follows an arc: an opening hook, a focused narrative, reflection linking experience to legal goals, and a clear conclusion about why Harvard fits. Avoid summarizing your resume; instead, analyze one or two episodes that reveal your reasoning, values, and growth.

How to brief recommenders

Provide recommenders a one-page packet with your updated resume, bullet points of achievements, and a short paragraph about your objectives so their letters are specific and evidence-based. Good letters reference concrete work examples, not generic praise.

Test preparation and practical test-day tactics

Use a 12–16 week test calendar with diagnostics, targeted section practice, periodic full-length simulated tests, and final test-day rehearsals. Simulate timing conditions, learn to triage questions, and practice summarizing passages quickly. On test day, keep calm, pace consistently, and flag difficult items to return to later.

What to do if you are waitlisted or declined

If waitlisted, follow Harvard’s instructions and submit a concise update with significant new achievements such as a higher test score, publication, or major award. If declined, reapply only after you can show material improvements to your file.

Financing and scholarship considerations

Harvard offers need-based support for J.D. students; admitted students should complete financial documentation promptly. International applicants should pursue outside scholarships early. Calculate net cost after grants and plan a realistic living budget. Explore summer funding options Harvard offers to offset unpaid public interest work.

Comparing Harvard to other top programs

Net cost and program fit usually matter more than brand alone. Compare offers using net tuition plus living costs minus guaranteed grants. Consider faculty strength in your area, clinic options, and alumni placement in your target careers; sometimes a school with stronger niche placement is a better match than the most famous name.

Common applicant mistakes to avoid

Overemphasizing prestige in essays rather than fit and contribution.
Asking for recommendations at the last minute.
Failing to provide context for lower grades or employment gaps.
Neglecting financial planning for international applicants.

Reapplicants and transfer applicants

Transfers to Harvard are rare and require excellent law school grades and compelling reasons for transfer. Reapplicants should explain improvements made since their previous application and provide new evidence of development.

Short FAQ

Q: Does Harvard interview applicants? A: Interviews are uncommon and generally by invitation. Q: Is early application decisive? A: No; meeting deadlines is important but quality matters more than timing. Q: Can I defer admission? A: Deferrals are possible in special circumstances; contact admissions for details.

Final resources and next steps

Start with Harvard’s official Class Profile and the J.D. Admissions toolkit for precise deadlines and document checklists. Use practice tests, mock reviews, and a progress spreadsheet to keep momentum. Convert strategy into weekly tasks to reduce stress and steadily improve your file.

Sources: Harvard Law School 1L Class Profile and Facts 3 - HLS J.D. Applicants toolkit 4 - Investopedia reporting on the 2024–2025 applications surge 5

Stay focused, be persistent, and trust your preparation process always.