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“That’s what I heard. I mean, what a disgrace! To think that someone from her family not having their magic. She is a failure,” another voice grits out.
Tears sting my eyes, but I quickly wipe them away. I knew coming here would be difficult. I guess I just thought the mean-girl vibes wouldn’t affect me like they are.
“Well, she’s already upset Anson, so I guess her time here will be short. Especially with… you know who… missing. That room is bad luck,” the first girl states.
“Yeah, I can’t believe Candi stayed in there after what happened,” a girl cries.
“Sshh, you know we aren’t supposed to talk about that,” one girl chastises.
“Well, I just hope that nothing else bad happens. This place is starting to feel cursed.”
Their voices fade away as they move further down the hall. For a long moment, I didn't dare to move. It’s getting close to dinner and my stomach growls, but the unease rolling like waves inside of me keeps me from leaving to go eat. I don’t want to face anyone right now.
Stomping over to my desk, I slam Chromebookmy chromebook onto the desk with a reverberating crash, and take a deep breath.
“Get it together, Farrah,” I mumble to myself.
My rage over the unfairness of the situation boils as I yank open my suitcase and begin pulling out my clothes. Like a fury, I hang up my jeans and shirts and then toss all of my cosmetic items on the bathroom counter. Before, I had planned to at least tidy up the space and make it mine; but now, I just don’t care. Moving around the desk, my hip bumps the corner and I yell out in pain. My chromebook slides onto the floor, a loud bang reverberating as it hits the hardwood. This day just keeps getting worse.
Kneeling down, I reach for my chromebook and spot something white wedged under the desk leg. As I place my hand in the small space, I grab a torn piece of paper. Sitting, I unravel the disheveled paper and my eyes go wide as I read the words written in red.
Stay out of the forest
Or you will die, too
As I sit there, staring down at the words, I can’t help but wonder if this is a trick being played on me. I mean, girls are talking about me, Anson clearly didn’t want me in his seat, Candi hasn’t welcomed me with open arms into our room, and now this.
My mind travels back to what Kindle had said about the girl who went missing. The girl who once shared this very same room. The room that those whispering girls called bad luck. Why was someone telling me– or anyone else– to stay out of the forest? The words on this page were taunting me with its secrets, but I had no one on my side to ask for help.
A rustle just outside my bedroom window causes me to stir again. At first, I didn't even bother looking.-- considering that it could just be the wind, I continued staring up at the ceiling as I lay on the bed. But when the sound grows more intense, I can’t help but sit up and look outside the window.
The trees of the forest sway back and forth as though they are dancing to a fast-paced melody. This normally wouldn’t be strange, but since there doesn’t seem to be any wind anywhere else, I find myself intrigued.
A howl echoes through the night, but the sound comes from somewhere inside of the forest. Chills race down my spine as a feeling overtakes me– compelling me to want to escape into the night and race toward the forbidden forest.
More movement drawls my eyes away from the treeline as I spot a figure running swiftly around the perimeter. I can barely make out its form, but whatever it is, it’s running on all fours.
Panic takes over as I realize there is someone outside near the forest. I struggle with my emotions.
Should I tell someone?
Should I look away?
I have no idea what to do, but when Candi suddenly opens the door and enters our room, I jump back as if I had just been caught with my hand in a candy jar.
Candi eyes me suspiciously as she closes the door behind her.
As soon as my eyes locked onto Candi’s, I knew that I had to tell her what I had seen. The woods were forbidden to students and faculty alike, but what I witnessed was real. Even if I didn't have any tangible proof to back up my claims, the image was seared into my mind with a clarity that made it impossible to ignore. As I spoke, my words tumbled out in a frantic jumble of syllables, desperate to convey the intensity of what I had experienced.
“What is wrong with you?” Candi snaps, moving over to her side of the room.
Her tone grates heavily on my nerves and my need to share what I just saw, dissolves.
“Nothing, I guess I just got spooked,” I lie, as I turn away from her and do my best to fall asleep.
***
I awake the next morning feeling more exhausted than ever.
