The night cloaked Springdale High in shadows, and the usually busy corridors of Queens Hall dormitory were eerily silent. A chilling breeze hissed through the cracked-open windows, carrying with it a weight of foreboding. It was the kind of night that made every creak of the floorboards feel like a scream in the dark.
Cindy lay wide awake in her bed, her eyes open and unblinking. Her roommates had already fallen asleep, their breathing soft and even. But something gnawed at her — a strange restlessness. The silence was unnatural, oppressive, and the air seemed heavier than usual. It felt like the dormitory itself was holding its breath.
She sat up slowly, drawn by an invisible force. Her feet met the cold floor, and she hesitated, listening. Nothing. Not a sound. No whispers. No wind. No hum of distant footsteps. Just an unbearable silence.
Compelled by something she couldn't explain, Cindy stepped out of her room and into the hallway. The fluorescent lights flickered above, then dimmed. She looked behind her, half-expecting to see someone watching, but there was no one.
The hall stretched out in front of her like a tunnel. She walked forward slowly, barefoot, the chill biting at her skin. The further she walked, the less familiar everything became. Corridors twisted and turned like a maze. Her breathing became shallow. The walls around her seemed to close in.
The dormitory had turned into a labyrinth.
Then she heard it — a faint whisper. She paused. The whisper grew louder, then stopped. Her heart thudded violently in her chest. The temperature dropped sharply.
She turned a corner, and there it was.
A figure stood in the shadows, unmoving. Pale, tall, and glowing faintly blue in the dark. His face was haunting — eerily handsome, but his eyes were hollow, empty. His mouth opened slowly, like he was about to speak.
Cindy let out a blood-curdling scream that echoed down the corridor.
And then — silence.
That scream would be the last thing anyone heard from her.
Three DAYS later.....
Though the morning sun lit up the sky, the weight of Cindy's unexplained disappearance hung over Queens Hall like a veil. Rumors swirled, as they always did. Some students whispered that she ran away. Others were sure it was something far darker.
Jane Matthews didn't know any of this.
She stepped into the lobby of Queens Hall, wheeling her suitcase behind her and clutching a brown envelope. It was her first day at Springdale High — a prestigious school known for its long history, elite students, and mysterious stories.
The lobby was stunning- its marble floor gleamed under warm chandelier lights, and the walls were lined with framed paintings of the past graduates and elegant golden plaques. Everything smelled faintly of fresh polish and lavender air freshener.
A woman with short bob haircut and a clipboard approached with a tight-lipped smile. Her name tag read: Ms. Bess - Residents assistant
"Jane Matthews?" She asked.
"Yes ma'am"
Ms. Bess handed over the key card with quick glance at her sheet.
"Room 3, second floor"
Jane took the key card and offered a polite smile
"Thank you. It's..... really beautiful here"
Ms. Bess nodded, though her expression faltered for the briefest second.
"Yes Queens Hall is one of our oldest and finest dorms. If you need anything, do let me know"
"Sure thanks". Jane said.
As Jane turned to leave, she thought she saw Ms. Bess glance at her back with strange expression - but maybe she was just too nervous.
Dragging her suitcase through the corridor, Jane finally reached Room 3. She tapped the card and the door clicked open.
Inside, a tall, Caramel -skinned girl with wild curls and bright hazel eyes jumped up from her bed. she was dressed in pineapple-prints shorts and an Oversized hoodie that said "Socially Awkward But trying"
"Oh my God you 're my roommate?" the girl beamed, rushing over with open arms like they were long lost friends.
"Hi, I'm Amara. Welcome to the haunted house!"
Jane blinked, Unsure whether to be amused or Concerned.
"Haunted house?"
Amara grinned like she'd just told the funniest joke.
"QH23! you didn't hear?"
she leaned in and whispered dramatically
"Wait... what's QH23?" Jane was Confused thinking that might be some Sort of Crucial Code she should know about.
"Oh Sorry. Queens Hall, 2nd floor, Room 3"
"Oh I see"
"This room is like, the center of all things Creepy and mysterios around here" Jane raised a brow, but couldn't help Smiling
"Seriously?"
Amara flopped onto her bed with a laugh
"Half the girls here think it's nonsense. The other half won't even walk past this room alone. They say doors slam, lighit flicker, weird cold drafts... spooky stuff. But hey i'm still alive. Well, you could stage a rock concert in my room and I wouldn't flinch"
Despite the warning Amara's lighthearted energy filled the room. she was beautiful in a way that felt efffortless-wide, expressive eyes, a glowing smile, and dimples that deepened when she laughed. her vibe was electric and unpredictable. the type of Person who could turn a haunted dorm room into a party. Jane dropped her bag looking around. The room looked normal enough-two beds, two desks, a shared wardrobe. A little Plain, but nothing ghostly. Yet somewhere deep inside, something twisted slightly.
Room 3.
why had Ms. Bess looked so... strange when she mentioned it?
And why did it suddenly feel a few degrees colder near her bed? After they'd both unpacked a bit, Amara insisted on giving Jane "the grand tour"
"You can't live at Queens Hall and not know which vending machine eats coins or which hallway smells like expired perfume" she said, slipping into her slippers like a seasoned tour guide. They walked through Queens Hall, then visited the nearby dorms: Ash Hall, Pine Hall, and Elm Hall. According to Amara, those three made up what the students called "the triangle" - close enough to visit, far enough for drama.
"we don't do the boys dorm," she added with a snort, knowing Jane might be curious why they are not visiting the boys' dorm.
"Not because we're banned, but because it misplaced Confidence."
Jane laughed "good to know."
She met a range of girls along the way. Some were warm and awelcoming already Offering Snacks and gossip. A few gave her the Usual quick look that new students always, then walked away without Saying anything. Others look Curious but not chatty.
By Sunset, Jane's leg were done. So were Amara's, who threw herself dramatically onto her bed and rolled off again to grab her towel.
""I'm showering before my body files an officeal complaint" she groaned.
"when I'm done, I plan to pass out and sleep like a forgotten potato in the fridge" Jane Smirked "Charming!" Amara disappeared into bathroom humming off key. When she returned ten minutes later, her damp hair wrapped in a towel turban, she mumbled through a yawn, she dropped onto her bed with all the grace of a Collapsing tent.
"If you need me, talk to the wall. I'm about to sleep like Netflix buffering on a bad wi-fi," she mumbled, then added "wake me up if I start levitating"
Within Seconds, she was snoring softly, one arm thrown over her face. Jane chuckled quietly, pulling her own blanket up. But as she adjusted the pillow, something crinkled underneath. She reached under and pulled out a neatly folded piece of paper. At first, she assumed it must've belong to Amara - maybe a class note o a prank. But when she unfolded it, her heart Skipped.
*IF YOU WANT ANSWERS, MEET ME AT MIDNIGHT - CLOSET DOOR*
The handwriting was neat, almost old-fashioned Jane leaned over.
"Hey. Amara!" Nothing. Twice. still no response.
"Seriously?" She gave up "Fine, sleep like a Vampire hibernating" she clutched the note tighter. The room became eerily silent, a chill ran down Jane's spine. She swallowed and looked around. The room suddenly felt colder. She glanced straight at the corner, the room had became darker, and it made her felt so scared. She couldn't sleep. She shut her eyes and pulled the blanket over her body covering every part of her body. The memory of her lost parents surfaced through her head. She was laying there sleepless until midnight.
Just then, the light flickered.
She opened the blanket, her mind was in a mess, thinking of all sort of horrific occurrences.
The mirror's surface rippled — not like glass, but like water disturbed.
She couldn't believe her eyes. Jane stepped closer out of curiosity.
Her own reflection stared back. And then — it moved. Not all of it. Just the eyes. Her reflection blinked. She didn't.
Behind her reflection, a figure appeared.
It was a ghostly boy — pale, glowing faintly, with haunted eyes. His presence filled the mirror but not the room.
Jane gasped. She felt chill run down her spine.
The boy leaned closer in the reflection. His lips parted. "Jane…" he whispered.
She stumbled back, knocking over a chair.
Amara snored loudly, oblivious.