Jeremy walked slowly through the halls of the dorm; his gaze fixed on the notebook he held open in his hands. It was early, the sun was rising, illuminating the dusty windows with a golden hue. The air was still cool, permeated with the smell of coffee and soap as students began to wake up. He had just left his computer science class, where they had discussed complex algorithms, but his mind was elsewhere. Perhaps he was doing some calculations for an equation, maybe he was completing a task he had left half-done, or he could be doodling some fleeting sketch in his notebook, who knows? Jeremy has always been a walking whirlwind of ideas. His roommate and childhood best friend, Alex, was still sleeping as if the day hadn’t even begun yet.
When he reached the last bedroom on the left side of the hall, Jeremy pushed open the door with his shoulder, both hands still occupied with his notebook and pen. He didn't bother to be stealthy; it wouldn't be the first time he'd woken him up rudely.
‘Wake up, sleeping beauty, you're going to be late again!” he said sarcastically as he prepared for his next class, not even looking up from his notebook.
Alex, with his eyes still half-closed and his head buried in the pillow, muttered confusedly:
“What...? What time is it?”
“It's time for you to get out of that bed, your speech exam starts in fifteen minutes... again.”
With a start, Alex threw off his sheets and jumped out of bed, panic on his face.
The bedroom was small and messy, with the unmistakable marks of the lives of two college students who didn't care much for order. Their beds were a bunk bed pushed up against the far wall, Alex's bed with the sheets tangled and wrinkled as if it had been hit by a storm. Jeremy's, on the other hand, was kept relatively tidy, although the pile of books and papers scattered around it betrayed his constant academic activity.
A bookshelf to the left of the room held a mix of textbooks, video games, and a collection of action figures from both of their childhoods. Posters of sci-fi movies and rock bands covered the walls, giving the place a youthful, chaotic feel. The only hint of order was the desk by the window, where Jeremy usually studied. The light streaming in illuminated the tangled cords of chargers and laptops, along with a forgotten cup of coffee from the day before.
While Alex hurried to shower and get dressed, Jeremy flipped through his notes, preparing for what was coming next. Minutes later, Alex came running out of the bathroom, his hair still wet and a piece of toast hanging from his mouth. He grabbed his backpack and bolted out the half-open door. “See you!” he called out as he left, leaving the door just ajar.
Jeremy sighed, getting up to close the door completely. He looked around the messy room and headed to his small desk by the window, determined to make the most of the time before his next class. The air was still, and the noise of the university city barely reached his ears. He was so focused that he didn’t realize how much time had passed until he looked up and saw the clock on the corner of the desk: it was already late for his second class, Advanced Data Structures.
“Shit!” he exclaimed, jumping out of his chair and grabbing his backpack.
He stormed out of the room, slamming the door shut. As he ran through the halls of the dorm, the sounds of college life intensified around him: animated conversations, hurried footsteps, and the distant clatter of dishes coming from the cafeteria. The hallways were long and narrow, with white walls, now yellowed and worn, decorated with advertisements for student events and posters for local bands. The tall windows let in natural light, but it wasn’t enough to fully illuminate the darker corners of the building; that was taken care of by the long incandescent lights hanging from the ceiling.
Arriving at his faculty building, Jeremy nearly slipped as he turned the corner in the hallway, right in front of the classroom door. Breathing heavily, he paused for a second, trying to appear calmer before entering. He turned the handle and quietly opened the door, trying not to attract attention.
The classroom was a large amphitheater, with rows of seats arranged in steep tiers that seemed to stretch endlessly upward. The students’ murmurs filled the air as Jeremy entered dropped into his usual seat. He couldn’t help but notice the professor’s desk was empty. Something strange was going on.
“Did you hear there’s a new professor?” whispered a girl to his left.
“They say the old one resigned suddenly,” said another student, sounding both curious and confused.
Before Jeremy could gather more information, a tall, slender figure entered the room, silencing the noise with his presence. It was a man with long hair, carefully tied back in a ponytail, but his clothes were immaculate and well-pressed. His voice was clear and authoritative, but not intimidating.
“Quiet, please! Good morning, students. I’m Mr. Ashbourne, your new professor, and I hope we can get along. Now, if you please, open your textbooks to chapter twelve to continue the class.”
Jeremy watched him with interest, noticing something in the way he moved, as if he were not only comfortable but also evaluating each student with an unsettling precision as he wrote on the board. As expected, the professor launched into a tedious monologue, as if everyone present knew what he was talking about. The classroom quickly filled with the competitive sound of graphite against paper, trying to catch anything useful from the air.
Jeremy was submerged in class, the professor’s voice barely registering as he flipped through his notes. Suddenly, his phone vibrated in his pocket. Without drawing too much attention, he glanced at it: a message from his mom: "We hope you have some free time this weekend, maybe you can come home. We miss you so much..."
Jeremy sighed. A wave of homesickness hit him for a moment, but there was no time to dwell on it now. He was too immersed in Data Structures class to think about weekends for now. He put his phone away, pushing the thought of going home aside to concentrate on the code his professor was drawing on the board.
Class ended without incident and Jeremy quickly gathered his things. When he stood up and grabbed his notebook, all the pages filled with sketches of paranormal creatures and doodles he made when he was bored, slid off and scattered across the floor. “Dang it!” Jeremy quickly knelt, trying to gather the mess, but before he could retrieve them all, Mr. Ashbourne was already beside him, helping to pick up the papers.
“Interesting sketches…” the professor remarked, glancing at one of the pages before handing it to Jeremy. “You’re into this kind of stuff?”
Jeremy nodded, feeling a little embarrassed. “Yeah, it’s just a hobby.”
Mr. Ashbourne smiled, but there was something in his gaze that made Jeremy feel exposed.
“Curious. I have the same interest. I investigate things... out of the ordinary, you could say.”
Jeremy, feeling uncomfortable with the revelation, tried to change the subject, but the professor continued. “You have a good eye for detail. These creatures… they’re quite accurate.”
“Thanks, I guess,” Jeremy mumbled, feeling more and more uneasy. Before he could leave, the professor looked at him more closely.
“Your face seems familiar to me,” Mr. Ashbourne said suddenly. “You’re the one always hanging out with Alexander, don’t you?”
Jeremy frowned, surprised. “Pardon? How do you know him?” Jeremy commented, trying to keep the conversation casual as he gathered up the last of the papers.
“Oh! Don’t mind me, you’ll see. I don’t want to spoil the surprise... Umm, What’s your name again?”
“Jeremy… Jeremy Orwell” Jeremy said, unsure of what else to say. He felt a strange mix of sympathy and suspicion toward the man. The professor’s interest in the symbols and the paranormal unsettled him more than he wanted to admit.
“Well, Jeremy… it’s a pleasure to meet you. If you ever need help with your projects... whether class-related or otherwise, don’t hesitate to find me,” Mr. Ashbourne added, his tone sounding more like a warning than an offer. “I am always up for discussing the… unusual.”
“Thanks... I’ll keep that in mind,” Jeremy replied, trying to maintain his composure.
With that, they said their goodbyes, and Jeremy left the classroom, a lingering sense of unease following him as he headed to his favorite study spot: the library.
As he navigated the crowded halls, dodging fellow students, Jeremy’s feet moved almost automatically while his mind replayed the professor’s words on a loop. A surprise? What on earth did that mean?! Jeremy was the type to get lost in thought, his mind was sharp, bordering on brilliant, but sometimes it left him drifting far from reality. He moved almost dreamlike, his gaze distant, until his wandering eyes stopped on the bulletin board. It was a sudden halt, as he noticed the bold print of a missing persons poster freshly plastered over the layers of other posters and papers that no one bothered to remove before putting up another one. The face on the poster drew him in: Steven Pratt, a familiar classmate from his course, known for being an unassuming but unmistakable nerd.
Jeremy’s steps slowed as he stared, the world around him dulling. Steven had been missing for three days, yet until that moment, it seemed no one had noticed or cared. A shiver ran through him. It's horrible… to disappear and have no one notice that you vanished overnight, to disappear and have no one care enough to notice: “what does that say about all of us?” But I guess Jeremy had no right to criticize others. He was just as guilty, just as indifferent, like the rest. Sighing, he continued down the hall, his feet moving like snow knowing that time is relentless as he walked toward the large double glass doors that led to his little sanctuary, his mind weighted with a blend of unease and self-reflection.
The university library was a sanctuary of peace in the middle of everyday chaos. Huge dark wood bookshelves lined the walls up to the ceiling, filled with books of all genres and eras, that smelled of musty pages and dust. The floor creaked underfoot, and the table lamps cast a warm, soft light that created a cozy atmosphere. The air was thick with reverent silence, only occasionally interrupted by the soft sound of pages turning or the quiet click of a keyboard. Jeremy loved studying here; it was one of the few places where he could concentrate without the blaring music from his dormmates. Plus, the internet connection wasn’t as terrible here.
He sat in his usual spot, a table by the window that overlooked the campus courtyard. He pulled out his laptop and notes, ready to work on his next assignment. But halfway through, he realized he needed a specific book to finish his research. Leaving his things on the table, he made his way to the shelves. The rows of books seemed endless. He walked slowly, running his fingers along the spines until he found the one he needed. But there was one problem: the book was on the top shelf. Jeremy looked around for help. The librarian was on her lunch break and the place was almost deserted. With no other option, he decided to improvise.
“Please don’t break, please don’t break” he muttered to himself as he grabbed a nearby chair.
It was an old, fragile-looking chair. He carefully climbed onto it, trying to keep his balance as he reached for the book. He managed to grab it, but as soon as he did, the chair gave way. One of the legs broke with a loud crack and Jeremy fell backwards. Trying to hold on to the shelf, he knocked over an entire row of books like dominoes.
“Fuck, fuck, how embarrassing... I should have seen it coming, what an idiot…” he thought as he hurriedly stacked the books on a corner, hoping that no one would notice his clumsiness.
Just as he was about to finish, something caught his eye. Among the scattered books, one stood out: ‘The Paranormal Chronicles’. It was an old book, with a worn cover and a handwritten title. It looked like a journal, a collection of forgotten mysteries and hidden secrets from the town. Intrigued, Jeremy picked it up and quickly skimmed through it. “This is perfect... Alex is going to love this.”
After gathering the fallen books and leaving the broken chair in a corner, he returned to his desk, finishing his homework hurriedly while his thoughts continued to revolve around the mysterious book. The day flew by, and by the time he finished authoring his report, it was already time for dinner.
He put away his things and headed to the front desk. The librarian, an older woman with gray hair tied back in a bun, was going through some papers when Jeremy approached with the strange book in hand.
“Need something, young man? “she asked in her usual kind tone.
“Yes, I’d like to check out this book, please,” Jeremy replied, handing her The Paranormal Chronicles.
The librarian adjusted her glasses and looked at the book with curiosity. She frowned slightly when she saw the title but said nothing. “This book… Not many people ask for it. It's a bit of a forgotten gem,” she commented as she scanned the barcode.
“Take good care of it. It’s... an odd one,” she said with a small smile, though her eyes hinted at curiosity.
Jeremy looked at her in surprise but didn't give it much thought. He took the book, thanked her, and walked out to his bedroom, eager to show the book to Alex.
When Jeremy returned to the dorm, he found Alex talking on the phone.
“I’ve got something you’re going to love,” Jeremy said excitedly, holding up the book.
Alex nodded, too preoccupied with his conversation on the phone. As Jeremy placed his backpack on the couch, his ears perked up like a dog's, paying attention to the conversation Alex was having.
“Full name? Yes, I’m Alexander Finch…”
It was a moment before Alex’s face lit up with excitement. “Wait, are you serious?” He listened intently, a wide smile spreading across his face. “Yes, of course! I’d love to… I’ll be there first thing in the morning. Thank you very much, sir!”
After hanging up, Alex practically bounced with joy, turning toward Jeremy. “You’ll never going to believe this…I got the job! The voice-acting job for the Cosmic Discovery Park animations!”
Jeremy looked at Alex and raised an eyebrow. “Wait, what? When did you request that?”
Alex laughed and threw his phone onto the bed. “I didn't tell you because I wasn't sure I would make it. I love voice acting and this is, like, my dream. I get to be the voice behind one of the main characters!”
“That’s awesome, man!” Jeremy said, smiling. “I had no idea you were into that. I always thought you’d stick to paranormal stuff.”
“Well, I can do both, right? Anyway, I start tomorrow!” Alex said, his excitement overflowing.
Jeremy gave him a playful nudge. “I’m happy for you. You’re gonna kill it! But…I’m curious … how does my new professor, Mr. Ashbourne, know about you?”
“Mr. Ashbourne? … a professor? Well, he was the one who mediated my interview, he also works in the park apparently. Why do you ask?”
“For nothing, nothing... it's just that he’s a little bit weird... don’t you think?”
“He probably just wanted to be friendly, but you’re right, he could be a little too… enthusiastic sometimes.” Alex answered with his arms crossed “Anyway, what was it you wanted to show me?”
“Oh, yes… that thing. Now behold the future fountain of our wisdom!”
Alex turned his head, his expression indifferent, and a sarcastic grin spread across his face.
“Oh great, a book? Wow, Jeremy, that’s just what I needed after reading all day! Couldn’t be more thrilled,” he joked.
Jeremy smiled, determined to convince him. “Well... if you're not interested, you can always entertain yourself by going to the laundry to wash all the clothes we've accumulated since Monday… with no help ‘cause I’ll be reading this book.”
“Nice one...” Alex laughed as he got up from the couch to look at the book more closely. “Alright, let's see what you've got!”
“That’s the spirit!” Said Jeremy with a sparkle running through his eyes.
Together, they sat at the table and wasted no time in digging into what was in The Paranormal Chronicles. Filled with stories about supernatural creatures, mysterious relics, and unexplained events that had taken place within the city, hours passed in flipping through the pages in amazement at what they were reading. Jeremy was just fascinated by how they could actually apply that for the blog they ran together on paranormal events. Suddenly, as Alex turned a page, something fell from the book: a loose sheet of paper. He picked it up, curious.
“Jeremy, check this out!” said Alex, setting the book aside and showing him the paper.
It was a map. Not just any map, but one that marked a nearby location.
“This is close... well, partially close” said Jeremy, recognizing the forest next to the university. He ran to the window and threw it open. “There! That’s the trail!”
“Should we go? We could film something for the blog,” Alex suggested, his excitement growing.
“Not now. It’s getting dark, and we could get lost in—” Jeremy's words were cut short by the soft but unmistakable noise followed by heavy silence coming from the front door. He and Alex looked into each other's eyes in surprise, with feelings of mild apprehension: who could come over at this hour?
Alex moved to the door, opening it cautiously, only to reveal an unexpected face. "Mr. Ashbourne? How long have you been out here? Is there something we can help you with, or…?" Alex let his voice dwindle, awaiting an explanation.
"Ah, Alexander, my boy, how are you?" Mr. Ashbourne greeted warmly but in a voice that was as calm as it was unerringly repulsive. "I just came to deliver some notes your friend left in my classroom this morning. I know it's a bit late, but I couldn't leave Jeremy without his papers."
"Thanks a lot, Mr. Ashbourne; that's very kind of you," Jeremy said, even now hastening to the door to take the notes with a grateful smile. "Was there anything else you needed?"
Mr. Ashbourne shook his head, his gaze drifting into the room behind them. His eyes lingered a bit too long on the cluttered surfaces and dim lighting, as though cataloging every detail of their space. "No, no… just the papers," he murmured, breaking the silence with a quick nod.
A slightly awkward pause hung in the air, until Alex cleared his throat. "Well… thank you again, Mr. Ashbourne. Have a good evening then," he said, closing the door a bit too quickly, practically closing the door in his face.
After the footsteps faded, Alex and Jeremy exchanged a look-a look that spoke volumes about discomfort. “See? I told you. Weird!” Said Jeremy.
Later at night, it was dead silent in the dorm room. The faucet would frequently drip having been the only sound in that room. Both friends had fallen deep asleep when, all of a sudden, their room door creaked open. Somebody managed to pick the lock. Jeremy, who always was a light sleeper, woke up first. He heard the soft creak of the door and still half asleep he lifted his head. His vision blurry, his eyes focused on the sofa where he had left the book. He saw a humanoid figure standing next to the sofa but thought that must have been the large pile of clothes. However, when he saw it leaning over, clutching the book tightly, Jeremy leapt upwards in an instant. The intruder, seeing he had been caught, quickly fled the room, leaving the door wide open.
“Hey! How the fuck did you get in here?! Get back here!” Jeremy shouted as he jumped out of bed, chasing after the intruder down the dormitory hallway.
He ran as fast as he could, still in his pajamas, his bare feet echoing against the cold floors. The hallway lights flickered intermittently, giving the scene a nightmarish feel. But the intruder was quick, and Jeremy was losing ground.
He rounded a corner, nearly slipping, but by the time he reached the end of the hall, the intruder had vanished. “Agh! You son of a bitch!” Jeremy writhed with rage.
Suddenly, a flashlight beam hit his face. A security guard was approaching. “What’s all that screaming? What are you doing out of your room at this hour?” the guard asked, eyeing him suspiciously.
“Someone broke in and stole a book from my room. I was chasing him,” Jeremy tried to explain, but the guard didn’t seem convinced.
This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.
“A book? Really? Come on, don’t make excuses for wandering around the campus in the middle of the night,” the guard replied, shaking his head.
“I swear! Someone was in our room!”
“Yeah, yeah… whatever you say kid… let’s get back to your room”
With no other options, Jeremy was escorted back to his dorm. When he arrived, he found Alex waiting by the door, looking confused. “What the hell happened?” Alex asked.
“We got robbed... that’s what happened. The book and worst of all, they took the damn map,” Jeremy said, angry and frustrated.
Alex grinned smugly and pulled the map out of his backpack. “You mean... this map?”
“What?! How...?"
“I put it in my backpack after we looked at it. That’s all,” said Alex, proud of himself.
Jeremy let out a laugh of relief. “Well, at least not everything’s lost,” he said, though still frustrated. Later that night, Jeremy paced nervously around the bedroom and then lay down on the bunk, staring at the ceiling. “What am I going to say to Mrs. Chamberlain?” he muttered, his hands clasped over his chest.
Alex, lying on the top bunk, peeked his head down. “Relax, dude. She'll understand. It's not like you tore it up on purpose or something... Besides, there are probably more copies of that book somewhere in the library.”
Jeremy sighed, feeling the weight of the previous night's events. The guard hadn’t believed him about the break-in. He stared up at the bottom of the bunk bed. Wasn't it his job to protect us? His thoughts drifted, and slowly, sleep overtook him despite his frustration.
The next morning, sunlight streamed into the dorm, casting long shadows across the room. Jeremy groaned as he pushed himself up, blinking against the light. Alex was already up, getting ready for another day.
“Morning,” Jeremy murmured as he trudged to the bathroom, his voice groggy from sleep.
After a quick shower, Jeremy grabbed a light breakfast and set off for his programming class, hoping the day would breeze by. As he slipped into his usual seat, he noticed he’d forgotten his notebook, but his mind was so scattered that he barely cared. The professor’s voice droned on, reviewing the group assignment guidelines, but Jeremy’s thoughts were elsewhere, drifting back to all the things he’d promised himself he’d do this weekend if he could finally make it home.
As the minutes ticked by, he found himself tapping his fingers against the desk, glancing at the clock more often than usual. When the professor finally started handing out a weekend project and assigning teams, Jeremy’s heart sank. He could already see what this meant: another weekend chained to his desk, poring over code with his group instead of heading home. He imagined his mother’s face, the disappointment he’d see in her eyes when he called to tell her he wouldn’t be coming. She always tried to be supportive, but he knew she missed him terribly. His dad would probably just shake his head and say something about ‘commitment to one’s work,’ but Jeremy knew better. They were waiting for him.
As the class wrapped up, he barely registered his teammates gathering around to discuss schedules. Instead, he forced himself to smile and nod, his mind already running through the calls and apologies he’d have to make once he left. Another weekend away from home, just another sacrifice in a string of many. As soon as class was over, he texted his mother: “Sorry, Mom. I have a big project this weekend. Can’t come home again…" He sighed as he pocketed his phone, feeling a familiar wave of disappointment wash over him.
When Jeremy returned to the dorm, Alex wasn’t there, but there was a hastily written note on his desk: "I'm on the trail with the map. Meet me by the path near the science building." Jeremy's heart raced. He quickly knelt and pulled out his gear from under the bed: an old video camera, a flashlight, a notebook, water, and obviously, his phone. He stuffed everything into his backpack and hurried out of the dorm.
Jeremy walked to the spot and hopped over the fence that separated the concrete from the greenery of the woods.
The forest was thick and wild. The towering trees blocked out most of the sunlight, creating a cool, shady atmosphere that seemed far removed from the hustle and bustle of campus life. The air was humid with the smell of pine and earth, and the undergrowth was thick, making it difficult to walk. Twigs crunched underfoot as Jeremy followed the narrow path deeper into the woods, where Alex was waiting for him.
“There you are!” Alex called out when Jeremy finally caught up. “Thought you were gonna bail.”
Jeremy smirked. “Like I'd miss this…”
They continued to walk, their feet falling into a silent rhythm, yet Jeremy felt they'd been walking for miles. The narrow path began to meander deeper into the forest, growing wilder and more tangled. Vines and branches stretched out like eager needles to fight for dominion over every patch of sunlight. Murmurs of the forest, the soft calling of birds, rustling leaves, the scurrying of some unseen creature, felt familiar, almost nostalgic. This wild and peaceful landscape soon began to tug at Jeremy's memories, weaving fragments of the past into the present.
He remembered how, as kids, Alex had played brave adventurer, snuck out of the house, and dragged Jeremy and his sister, Ashley, along in the fun. Alex had wanted to explore every nook and cranny that was hidden by the woods, and they walked through imaginary monsters and secret trails, though Jeremy had resisted at first, grumbling about bugs and dirt. Soon he found himself entranced with the magic of the place. It became his refuge and his own private heaven, where the cares of the world dissolved under a canopy of ancient trees.
There was a small, forgotten wooden bridge, half-smothered in moss and overgrowing weeds, its planks silt-stained and softened with years, yet still seemingly sound, as if waiting patiently all those long years for them to cross. The bridge arced over a narrow river, its waters sparkling in the dappled sunlight and wending their way down from a breathtaking waterfall that might have been plucked from a dream. Water tumbled with a gentle, steady roar; mist filled the air with freshness, painting all things with a delicate sheen. Jeremy and Alex crossed the bridge, their eyes wide, drinking in every nook and angle in wonder, trying to capture the magic of it all.
Jeremy had stopped central, his gaze going out over the water, shining bright as it churned beneath them, his thoughts drifting to the times they would challenge each other to jump from the rocks, to battle their fears and take the leap. The forest held so many pieces of them, preserved in leaves and branches like it was in wait for them. He almost caught their laughter between the trees. Alex must have felt the same, for a silent smile was etched on his lips, speaking volumes of what words couldn't: that some places, and some memories, never really leave us.
The path became less defined, and soon, they stumbled into a clearing. Wildflowers dotted the tall grass, and dandelions swayed in the breeze. At the top of a gentle hill stood an old, abandoned house. The house had a Victorian feel to it, though it wasn't grand enough to be a mansion, but it was too big to be a simple cottage. The once white paint was now a peeling grey, the windows were broken, the front door hung crookedly on rusty hinges, and the house itself was covered in vines that danced in the breeze. Despite the disrepair, there was a strange sense of order, as if someone had taken care to keep the overgrowth at bay.
“Is that it?” Jeremy asked, walking up to Alex, who was staring up at the house.
“Yeah” Alex replied, his voice filled with a mix of excitement and uncertainty. “This is the place marked on the map.” Alex sat down on the grass for a moment, pulled out his notebook and pencil, and began drawing a simple yet detailed sketch of the house.
“Why would anyone build a house here?” Jeremy asked, still drawing in his notebook. “There are no neighbors, no road… nothing, it’s like it’s been forgotten.”
“Who knows?” Alex shrugged. “Maybe they were trying to hide something.”
They approached the old wrought-iron gate, its once ornate patterns now rusted and entwined with creeping ivy. It was set into towering stone walls that encircled the entire property, imposing and almost foreboding in the dim light of dusk. Jeremy leaned into the gate, pushing with all his strength, but it refused to budge. The hinges groaned in protest, but the gate was firmly embedded in the earth, roots and tendrils of vegetation snaking through its bars as if the land itself was intent on reclaiming the structure.
The walls loomed above them, covered in thick moss and climbing vines, their sheer height making it impossible to scale. Defeated, they exchanged a look and began searching for another way in, their footsteps crunching on the gravel path as they skirted the perimeter. The air was thick with the scent of wet leaves and decaying wood, the silence broken only by the distant call of a lone owl.
After what felt like an eternity of searching, they stumbled upon a small, weathered side gate hidden behind a tangle of overgrown shrubs. The gate was set into an arched stone passage, its wooden frame swollen and cracked from years of neglect. It hung slightly ajar, its iron latch twisted and broken, suggesting someone, or something, had forced it open long ago.
They hesitated for a moment, glancing at each other, before squeezing through the narrow gap. The gate creaked ominously as they pushed it wider, and they stepped into the garden beyond.
The sight that greeted them was both beautiful and melancholic. The garden, once meticulously maintained, was now a wild tangle of nature reclaiming its territory. The cobblestone path was almost invisible beneath a carpet of ivy and wildflowers that had flourished unchecked, weaving themselves into a vibrant, chaotic tapestry. Roses, once carefully pruned, had grown into dense, thorny thickets. Weeds sprouted in every crack and crevice, their tall, spindly stalks swaying gently in the breeze.
Despite the obvious neglect, there was a sense of quiet dignity to the place, an almost therapeutic stillness that hung in the air. The soft hum of insects and the distant rustle of leaves created a symphony of subtle sounds, as if the garden was still very much alive, whispering secrets of the past to anyone who cared to listen. The scent of jasmine and damp earth was thick and heady, filling their lungs with each breath.
Jeremy and Alex paused, taking in the scene. Time had been unkind to the estate, yet it felt as though the garden was holding on to its former glory, refusing to be completely forgotten. There was a haunting beauty in the decay, a reminder of what once was and what could have been.
As they moved deeper into the garden, the house loomed ahead of them, its windows dark and empty, like hollow eyes staring down at them. They couldn’t shake the feeling that they were intruding on something sacred, a place caught between life and death, where the past lingered like a ghost, watching their every move. When they reached the creaky porch, they found what was left of the front door: a rotting wooden frame barely hanging on its hinges. They peered inside cautiously.
The interior of the house was eerily preserved, despite the obvious abandonment. Dust particles hung in the air, glimmering in the stray beams of light that filtered through broken windows, and the musty smell of decay filled the air, but some furniture remained: an old couch, a coffee table, and a shattered mirror.
Jeremy started filming, panning the camera across the empty room. “It feels like someone left in a hurry but never came back…”
Alex chuckled, crossing to the corner where a decrepit piano sat “Hey, look at this old thing. Bet it hasn’t been played in decades!”
“Wanna give it a shot?” Jeremy asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Why not?” Alex smirked as he approached the piano. He lifted the lid, revealing the cracked, yellowed keys, and sat down with mock seriousness. He ran his fingers over the yellowed keys, hitting a few notes that sounded horribly out of tune. With a grin, he pressed down harder, playing a simple tune, but the entire keyboard suddenly gave way, collapsing with a loud clatter as the front panel fell off, sending bits of wood and dust everywhere.
Jeremy burst out laughing. “Bravo, Beethoven!
“Shut up…” Alex snorted, stepping back from the ruined piano. “I guess it was a little too... vintage.”
The two climbed the rickety stairs to the second floor, each step groaning under their weight. As they reached the top, Alex leaned on the railing, which gave way with a sickening crack. He barely caught himself before tumbling down.
“Careful, man!” Jeremy shouted, heart pounding.
“Yeah, no kidding!” Alex muttered, looking sheepish as he steadied himself.
Walking through the dimly lit corridors, their footsteps echoed softly against the creaking wooden floorboards, disturbing the stillness that had settled in over the years. Dust swirled lazily in the shafts of pale sunlight filtering through the cracked windows, and the air was thick with the scent of mildew and decay. Their fingers brushed against the dust-laden banisters, leaving trails in the thick layer of grime that coated the intricate carvings of the old wood.
As they moved deeper into the house, a grand chandelier slowly came into view, suspended from the high ceiling of the main hall. Its crystals, caught the faint light and refracted it in muted, fractured colors, casting ghostly patterns across the faded wallpaper. The chandelier, once a symbol of opulence and grandeur, now hung like a relic of a forgotten era, swaying slightly as if moved by an unseen force.
The two of them explored the empty rooms, each one filled with relics of the past: tarnished mirrors reflecting distorted images, furniture draped in yellowing sheets, and old photographs that stared back at them with eyes long dead. The silence was oppressive, the house seemingly holding its breath as they ventured further, the only sound the soft creak of the floorboards beneath their feet.
They reached the end of the hall, where a door stood apart from the others. Unlike the rest, which were battered and peeling, this one was sealed shut with thick layers of insulation foam, its surface scratched and scarred as if something had tried to claw its way out…or in. In the center was a small, rusted peephole, a lone eye in the otherwise unremarkable wooden frame. Jeremy leaned in, squinting to peer through the tiny glass circle.
He pressed his face closer, his breath fogging up the peephole as he strained to see. Beyond, he could make out only the vague outlines of an empty room, shrouded in darkness. The walls were bare, but lined with crucifixes and rosaries, the air inside seemed to pulse with a strange, almost tangible stillness. He frowned and stepped back, feeling an uneasy feeling settle in his gut.
Meanwhile, Alex, wandering a few steps away, glanced up and noticed something peculiar. Above them, nestled in the ceiling near the corner of the hallway, was a trapdoor, its edges barely visible beneath the layer of dust and cobwebs. A faint draft seemed to seep from around its corners, carrying with it the musty scent of forgotten things. He pointed upwards; his voice hushed as if afraid to disturb the silence.
“Hey, Jeremy, check this out” he whispered, “there’s an attic up there,” he said, pointing. “But it’s out of my reach.”
Jeremy, being taller, gave a small jump and opened the trapdoor, causing the creaking staircase to slide down with a thud. They climbed cautiously, clinging to the narrow steps.
The attic was unlike the rest of the house. The walls were covered in graffiti and faded murals, some painted with intricate designs, others hastily painted over with black and red paint. There were scratches on the walls and chains scattered across the floor, as if someone had recently been there. Thin curtains with crochet-patterned edges, stained with age, hung from the ceiling, partially covering a gaping hole in the roof through which sunlight streamed in. A mockery of how close and how far salvation was.
In the center of the attic was a worn, stained mattress in a large pool of stagnant water, fed by the leaks and the gaping. The wooden floor had begun to sag, slowly giving way as the boards rotted away from the moisture.
“Looks like someone’s been… hiding here” Alex said, eyeing the mess.
“Or kidnapped,” Jeremy added, panning his camera across the room. “Creepy... we should get out of here”
As they descended the stairs, the couple heard a very strange sound coming from the door leading to the basement, the noise sounding like a small rhythmic tapping on the wall, and they couldn't resist looking into the basement. The door was half rotten, locked with a rusty lock. However, with a strong push, the lock broke and the door swung open, revealing a staircase leading into the darkness. Jeremy turned on his flashlight, illuminating the steps. “Let’s check it out.”
The basement was a maze of wires and strange machinery. Old metal bookshelves lined the walls, filled with tools, gears, and other odd trinkets. But the centerpiece of the room was a large, futuristic-looking machine in the middle of the floor, way too advanced for something in a decaying house like this.
Jeremy filmed it all, astonished. “What is this place?” he whispered.
Jeremy saw it on an old, dusty desk: the book that had been stolen from his bedroom. His heart skipped a beat. “Alex! The book… it’s here!” he called out in a low, urgent voice.
Alex ran towards us with wide eyes. “We can't take it, that will alert the intruder that we were here, but quickly, let me take a video of all the pages. We must get out of here before whoever lives here comes back!”
Jeremy nodded, his pulse racing. They ran out of the basement, leaving the house and everything they touched like it was before. But determined to return for answers. The darkening sky above them was now swirling with heavy, grey clouds, threatening rain. Just as the first drops began to fall, Alex glanced back at the house. “We need to hurry! If this rain gets any worse, all our equipment is going to be ruined,” he shouted over his shoulder, picking up the pace.
Jeremy, clutching the camera and the gear tightly to his chest, nodded in agreement. “We'll cut through the brush,” he suggested. “We can't risk using the main path in case the guy comes back.”
The two deviated from the trail, weaving through the thick underbrush, their footsteps muted by the soft earth. But suddenly, the crisp crunch of leaves reached their ears, accompanied by a soft, almost eerie humming. Jeremy froze and tugged on Alex’s sleeve, signaling for him to crouch down. Both ducked into the bushes, hiding behind a dense thicket of trees. A figure appeared on the path ahead: a man, wearing a yellow rain slicker with the hood pulled low over his face, obscuring the rest. He carried a large toolbox in one hand, his steps deliberate and calm as he hummed an unsettling, sweet melody. He was heading straight for the house they had just left.
“That’s him” Alex whispered; eyes wide.
Jeremy pressed a finger to his lips, signaling Alex to remain silent. They huddled behind the thick trunk of an old oak tree, the damp bark pressing against their backs as they tried to control their breathing. The man’s footsteps crunched ominously close on the leaf-strewn ground, his shadow stretching out like a sinister omen as he passed mere inches from their hiding spot.
Jeremy held his breath, his heart pounding so loudly he feared it might give them away. The man paused, his head tilting slightly as if sensing something amiss. Time seemed to stretch infinitely, the forest around them eerily silent, save for the faint rustling of leaves in the breeze. Every muscle in Jeremy’s body tensed, ready to bolt at the slightest hint of danger.
After what felt like an eternity, the man resumed his path, his figure fading into the darkness of the woods. Jeremy exhaled softly, nodding to Alex, and they crept out from behind the tree, moving cautiously at first. But once they were sure they were out of earshot, they broke into a run. The forest floor was slick with rain, the damp leaves squelching beneath their feet. The sound was unavoidable, and Jeremy winced with each step, glancing over his shoulder every few seconds. The wet leaves betrayed them; a loud, wet crunch echoed through the stillness, and he saw the man stop dead in his tracks. His head snapped around, his eyes locking onto theirs with a predator’s intensity.
“Run!” Jeremy shouted, his voice breaking the silence like a gunshot. They tore through the underbrush, branches whipping against their faces and snagging at their clothes. The man’s heavy footsteps thundered behind them, gaining speed. Their soaked clothes clung to their bodies, weighing them down, but they pushed on, driven by pure fear. The forest seemed endless, a maze of shadows and twisted branches that clawed at them as they ran.
Finally, they burst out of the dense woods, stumbling to a halt at the edge of the forest. Before them, the chain-link fence of the science building loomed high and foreboding. It stood as a barrier between them and safety, a promise of sanctuary just out of reach. Jeremy’s chest heaved as he looked back. The man had emerged from the trees, his silhouette outlined against the dark forest.
“We need to climb,” Jeremy gasped, his voice barely audible over the roar of his heartbeat. He grabbed the fence, his fingers slipping on the wet metal, and began to climb. The cold steel bit into his hands, but he ignored the pain, focusing only on reaching the top.
Alex was right behind him, their breaths ragged, their movements frantic. The man reached the base of the fence, his hands slamming against the metal with a deafening clang that reverberated through the night. Jeremy looked down, his blood running cold as he saw the fury in the man’s eyes.
“Come on, come on!” he urged, pulling himself over the top of the fence and dropping to the other side. Alex followed, his descent less graceful as he hit the ground hard, rolling to his feet.
They stumbled backward, panting, their eyes fixed on the man who now stood at the fence, his fingers curling around the links. For a moment, they thought he might try to climb after them, but he simply stood there, watching them with a predatory stillness. Alex grabbed Jeremy’s arm, pulling him away. “We have to go,” he whispered, his voice trembling. They turned and ran, their legs heavy, their breaths coming in short, painful gasps. They didn’t stop until they were inside the building, the door slamming shut behind them. Safe, but the terror lingered, an icy grip on their hearts that refused to let go.
Once back in their dorm, Jeremy and Alex stumbled through the door, shivering and dripping water onto the hardwood floor. Their clothes clung to their bodies, heavy and cold, but they had miraculously managed to keep their gear dry. They dumped their backpacks in the corner and peeled off their soaked jackets, throwing them over the backs of chairs. Jeremy grabbed a towel from the bathroom and tossed it to Alex before drying his own hair with another, the silence between them thick and heavy.
Despite the warmth of the dorm, the chill from their recent ordeal lingered. The feeling of being hunted, the suffocating sensation of eyes following their every move, still clung to them like a shadow. But for now, the walls around them provided a fragile sense of safety, a brief respite from the terror that had gripped them earlier.
Alex sank onto the worn-out couch, his gaze fixed on the floor as if the answer to some unspoken question lay hidden in the pattern of the wood grain. He was pale, his hands shaking slightly as he rubbed them together to stop the trembling. His foot tapped incessantly against the floor, a staccato rhythm of nervous energy that echoed in the quiet room. He hadn’t said much since they’d returned, his mind clearly lost in the horrors they had just escaped.
Jeremy watched him for a moment, his own nerves frayed. They exchanged a few strained words, their voices hushed and hollow, like echoes in an empty cave. Small talk, a feeble attempt to bridge the chasm of fear that had opened between them. The tension, however, was a physical presence, pressing down on them both, making the air feel heavy and hard to breathe.
Jeremy stood up, the realization of what he had to do hitting him like a punch to the gut. He had been dreading this moment all day, pushing it to the back of his mind as if ignoring it would somehow make it disappear. But there was no avoiding it now.
With a deep sigh, he ran a hand through his still-damp hair and grabbed his jacket from the back of the chair. The fabric was cold and clammy against his skin, a stark reminder of the storm they had braved, but he barely noticed. His mind was already at the library, imagining Mrs. Chamberlain’s reaction when he told her the rare book was gone. He could see her stern face, the way her eyes would widen in shock and then narrow in disapproval. He knew he’d have to face her disappointment, her questions, the inevitable lecture about responsibility and respect for the school’s property.
He slipped his arms into the jacket sleeves and glanced at Alex, who was still staring blankly at the floor. “I have to go to the library,” he said softly, his voice cracking slightly with the weight of what he was about to do.
Alex looked up, his eyes clouded with confusion and fear. “Are you out of your mind?! After what just happened? We need to call the cops!”
“No, not yet... it's not convenient for us. Think about it, for now we know the exact location of the book and who has it, if we involve the police that intruder will take everything, try to hide it and we will lose the book.”
“So, we're just gonna act like nothing happened? You expect us to sit around and wait for that weirdo to do something to us?”
“This place is full of security cameras, relax.” Jeremy said forcing a weak smile. “But for now I need to get this over with. I’ll be back soon.” He didn’t want to admit how much he dreaded facing Mrs. Chamberlain, how the thought of explaining the theft made his stomach twist with anxiety. But it was his responsibility, and there was no escaping it.
As he stepped out into the hallway, the door closing softly behind him, the safety of the dorm seemed to fall away, leaving him exposed once more to the cold, dark reality outside. He took a deep breath and started down the stairs, his footsteps echoing in the empty corridor. “I’ll be back,” he muttered.
The library was quiet, with only the faint rustling of pages and the soft hum of the air conditioning. Jeremy spotted Mrs. Chamberlain near one of the tall shelves, methodically reshelving a cartload of books.
“Uh, Mrs. Chamberlain?” Jeremy began hesitantly, approaching her.
She turned slowly, her sharp eyes peering over her reading glasses. “Yes, Jeremy? How can I help you?”
Jeremy swallowed hard. “I... I need to tell you something. The book I borrowed, the one titled The Paranormal Chronicles, was... well, it was stolen.”
Mrs. Chamberlain raised an eyebrow but remained calm. “Stolen, you say?”
“Yes…” Jeremy said quickly, feeling the weight of her gaze. “Someone broke into my room last night and took it. I’m really sorry. I know it was unique, But I’ll take it back!... somehow…”
She sighed, pausing in her task. “It WAS unique. That book is one of a kind, Jeremy. There are no copies.”
Jeremy’s heart sank even further, but then he remembered something. “But wait! I took a video! I have a shot of every page. I could use it to make a copy, right?”
Mrs. Chamberlain thought for a moment, then nodded. “I suppose that would be acceptable. But you would have to rewrite it from scratch, page by page, it is a lot of work. If you wish... you could just pay for the book.”
“Oh, no, no, no” said Jeremy “I'll do it, don't worry Mrs. Chamberlain, you'll see that in a couple of weeks I'll have it ready.”
Mrs. Chamberlain gave him a strange look. There were hundreds of college students who lost their borrowed books every day of the year, but there had never been one who was so committed. Did he want this book so badly? “Son, why do you want that book so badly?” the librarian asked curiously.
“Because I need it. Umm... I’m an investigator of supernatural phenomena. It all started when I was seventeen, living with my parents in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, and I promise you I've seen things no one would believe, Mrs. Chamberlain...”
“Hmm… Jeremy, you are like a son to me, and I must warn you to be careful. Be careful where you go, please. The things in that book are more real than they seem, promise me you will be careful.”
“I will, I promise” Jeremy replied, relieved.
As she left the library with the opportunity to make a new copy of the book, she couldn't shake the nagging feeling of unease. Someone had stolen the original for some reason, and whoever that masked man was, he clearly knew more than he was letting on. Later that evening, back in the dorm, Jeremy sat on his bed, staring at the pages they had printed. Alex was getting ready for his new job at the park, but Jeremy’s thoughts were elsewhere. Who was that man? Why had he stolen the book? And more importantly… what were they going to do next? One thing was clear: they couldn’t let this mystery go unsolved.