Episode 2 of The Crowded Room opens with Rya's unease as she approaches the boarding house. The ominous atmosphere sends chills down her spine. She conducts a thorough inspection of the premises, only to stumble upon a ghastly splatter of blood adorning one of the walls in Ariana's upstairs room. Startled by an array of strange noises echoing throughout the house, Rya flees in haste, salvaging Danny's sketchbook from the fireplace, where it had been carelessly discarded for burning, yet miraculously escaped the flames.
Danny recounts that Marlin and his mother had appeared at the boarding house the following day, demanding his immediate return. Marlin's agitation and threats were quelled only by Danny's resolve and the presence of Yitzhak. Reassuring Candy that he would be safe in the house, Danny expresses his desire to stay, viewing Yitzhak's entry into his life as a fortuitous coincidence.
Danny's acquaintance with Ariana was slow to blossom, her guardedness and erratic behavior often leaving him bewildered. Despite this, Danny perceived her as a kind soul burdened by her past. Her mysterious nightly disappearances and disheveled appearances in the morning further perplexed him.
At the supermarket, Danny's path crosses with Annabelle once again, now a college student. The two reconcile, and Danny extends an invitation to a "party" at his new abode. Jonny and Mike eagerly promise to bring along weed, alcohol, and a crowd, fulfilling Danny's long-cherished wish.
Ariana was introduced to them that night when she sat down to do drugs with them. Danny and Annabelle got closer as the night went on. They were in each other’s privacy in Danny’s room when Ariana interrupted them and started making out with Annabelle. Danny maneuvered himself out of the chaos and managed a glimpse of Annabelle only in the early hours of the day. As of present, the sexual identities of these characters remain a bit of a mystery. Later, Ariana and Danny indulged in some leisure time together, culminating in a movie night. However, as they exited, Ariana was unexpectedly approached by a mysterious stranger named Benny.
However, she abruptly shoved him aside, cursing Danny's name, and fled into the night alone. In stark contrast to her daytime façade, we witnessed Ariana transform, adorned in heavy makeup, heading towards the raucous rave parties. There, she indulged in alcohol, danced with abandon, and flirted shamelessly with strangers of both genders, a testament to her bisexual nature. We observed her becoming intimately entwined with Jerome, a familiar physical companion, and also drawing close to a girl named Grace.
As the hours ticked by in a blur of music and lights, Ariana was unaware that dawn had broken until she exited the club, embroiled in a heated argument with Jerome. He confessed his love for her, but Ariana, unmoved, shattered his heart and fled once again. Later, we found her sobbing solitarily in her room, before seeking Danny out, pleading for his "assistance."
In Rya's estimation, Ariana was a ticking time bomb, her unpredictable nature posing a threat to Danny's safety. She desperately sought to uncover the mystery of who had seemingly disappeared Ariana, but Danny remained silent, his chair abandoned as he rose abruptly. The episode culminated in a haunting image of Ariana wandering into a strange, watery realm, surrounded by unconscious figures.
