I stood at the imposing iron gates of Grimmoor Academy, heart racing like a caffeinated squirrel. The sun was setting behind the gnarled trees, casting elongated shadows that made the place look like the set of a horror movie. “This is it, Alex,” I muttered to myself. “Your ticket to a prestigious education. Just ignore the creepy vibes.” 

 With a deep breath, I pushed the gate open. It creaked like a mausoleum door, which did wonders for my nerves. “Great first impression,” I mumbled. 

 As I walked down the pathway, the school loomed ahead—an ancient gothic structure that looked like it had been designed by someone with a grudge against sunlight. I could practically hear the moans of the tortured souls who had tried to escape their fate here. 

 “Welcome, new student!” A voice chirped, breaking my morbid reverie. I turned to see a zombie with a lopsided grin. “I’m Zack! What’s your name?”

 “Uh, Alex,” I said, still bewildered. “Nice to meet you… I think?”

 “Nice to meet you too! Are you ready for your first night?” Zack asked, his eyes drifting off into the distance for a moment. “Wait, what were we talking about?” 

 “Uh, school?” I offered, trying not to laugh. 

 “Oh right! School!” Zack’s head bobbed excitedly. “It’s awesome! I mean, if you don’t mind the occasional ghostly attack or being chased by werewolves.”

 “Ghostly attack?” I raised an eyebrow. “You mean like… a prank?”

 Zack’s head tilted, clearly confused. “I think? I dunno, I usually forget those details.”

 “Fantastic.” I sighed. “Just what I need—paranormal pranks.”

 “Come on! I’ll show you around!” Zack said, leading the way. As we walked, the corridors seemed to shift like something out of a funhouse. 

 “Is it just me, or is the hall changing?” I asked, glancing back to where we had just come from. 

 “Yeah, it does that,” Zack replied nonchalantly. “Keeps things interesting! You never know when you might end up in the detention dungeon.” 

 “Detention dungeon?” I repeated, my stomach twisting. 

 “Yeah! You only have to spend a night there if you get caught trying to eat someone,” he said, as if it were the most casual thing in the world. 

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

 “Right. So… what do I need to do to avoid that?” 

 “Just don’t be lunch.” 

 “Simple enough.” 

 Zack led me through a flickering hallway filled with portraits. The eyes in the paintings followed me, and I could swear one of them winked. “This is the Hall of Weirdos,” Zack said. “You’ll get used to it.” 

 “I’m not sure I want to get used to it,” I muttered. “What’s next?”

 “Next is the cafeteria! I’m starving!” he exclaimed. 

 “Isn’t it too early for dinner?” I asked, glancing at my wristwatch. 

 “Dinner? It’s always dinner here! We only eat at night!” 

 “Right, of course,” I said, looking around. “What do you guys eat? I mean, you know, besides me?”

 “Oh, we have a lot of options! There’s brain salad, blood pudding, and, if you’re lucky, the special: human surprise!” 

 “Human surprise?” I tried not to gulp. 

 “Just kidding! It’s really just a sandwich! You should try it!” 

 I glanced at Zack, who was eagerly shuffling down the hallway. “I’ll stick to the sandwich, thanks.” 

 We entered the cafeteria, which looked like a mix between a medieval banquet hall and a horror film set. Flickering candlelight illuminated the long tables filled with… well, more ghouls than I could count. 

 “Hey, guys! This is Alex!” Zack announced. 

 A vampire with slicked-back hair looked me up and down. “Another human? How quaint.” 

 “Thanks,” I replied, forcing a smile. “I’m just here for an education.” 

 “Good luck,” the vampire said, flashing a grin that revealed pointed fangs. “You’ll need it.” 

 “Charming,” I muttered. 

 “Don’t mind him,” Zack said, nudging me. “He’s just a little… bitey.” 

 “Oh, I can see that,” I said. “What’s his deal?” 

 “Mara’s actually really smart! She’s just… you know, a vampire. They tend to be a bit snobby,” Zack explained. 

 “Snobby? Or hungry?” 

 “Both, probably,” Zack shrugged. “So, what classes are you taking?” 

 “I don’t know! The enrollment paperwork was kinda vague,” I admitted. 

 “Survival 101?” Mara suggested with a smirk. “You’ll need that.” 

 “Great, I’ve already got my first class,” I said dryly. 

 “Or maybe you’ll end up in Potion Mixing,” Mara continued. “That’s a good way to get yourself into trouble.” 

 “Why do I feel like everything here is designed to make me a snack?” 

 “Because it is!” a ghost chimed in, floating above the table. “But don’t worry! We like to play with our food before we eat it.” 

 “Fantastic,” I groaned. 

 “Relax! You’ll fit right in!” Zack said, patting my back. “Just make sure to keep your limbs intact.” 

 “Easy for you to say,” I replied, eyeing the ghost. “What’s the worst that could happen?” 

 “Let’s see… you could turn into a zombie. Or maybe a ghost!” Zack pondered. “Or you could just fail out and become a permanent resident!” 

 “Perfect,” I said, rolling my eyes. “That sounds like a winning plan.” 

 “Welcome to Grimmoor Academy, Alex! Now grab a sandwich before the werewolves get here!” Zack laughed. 

 “Werewolves?” 

 “Yeah! They love midnight snacks!” 

 As the cafeteria door creaked ominously, I couldn’t help but feel that Grimmoor Academy was going to be a lot more than just an education. And I had a sinking feeling I was already on the menu.