The abandoned Sigma Chi house sat on the edge of campus like a decaying monument to past glory. Three stories of peeling white paint, sagging porches, boarded windows, and a reputation that had outlived its charter. The university revoked the fraternity’s recognition two years earlier after a hazing scandal, but the building still stood, too expensive to demolish, too historic to tear down. Students called it “The Ruins.” It was the perfect place for parties no one wanted traced back to them.

Jake Harlan booked it for the first Friday night in November.