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"Twisting and turning won't help anymore" I told myself.
I got up from my bed.
No, I wasn't sick. I was just like that or I guess most of the people at my age were like that.
I wanted to sleep but my eyes won't shut.
I checked the time.
It was 5:00 am in the morning.
I walked towards the balcony hoping for some cool morning breeze.
But there were none.
It was all silent.
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"Silence before the storm" I giggled to myself.
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I used to quote such lines often. After all, I grew up watching crime movies, reading mystery novels and all.
Not like I ever encountered something strange.
I was just a normal girl.
Oh! I almost forgot to introduce myself!
Hey there! I am Carol. Carol Terrin. A University student who is typically a nerd and not so popular.
But I look good!
Or atleast I think so...
After spending some minutes in the balcony, gazing over empty roads, I came back inside.
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Suddenly, my stomach started growling.
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I entered the kitchen, checked all the cupboards and found a packet of oats.
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"Got some luck here, I guess."
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I live alone. That too on the outskirts of town where there is literally no grocery store, shopping mall or cinema hall nearby.
I even have to travel for an hour on daily basis to reach my University campus.
Don't get me wrong. I am not an orphan!
I have lovely parents and an annoying but cool older brother.
I live here alone due to my studies.
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"A kid grows when he takes care of himself on his own" as my father says.
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When I was done with my breakfast, I went to take a quick shower and got ready with a sky blue sweatshirt and ripped jeans.
I didn't like to tie my hair so I let them down. A little makeup and done!
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I generally got ready on time.
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_Time Skip_
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I reached my college.
Students were all around chattering and gossiping. I could also see some couples roaming around hand in hand.
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"Disgusting, isn't it?"
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I flinched at the voice and turned around to find the person I expected the most.
Raya!
I jumped and tucked her into a tight hug.
She was my closest friend.
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"Ready for another day's grind?" I asked.
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"I guess so" she replied.
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We both chuckled and scurried to the classroom as it was about time.
Class was filled with noises of people shouting and laughing at each other.
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"It's already 20 minutes past 8:00. Where is Mr Patrick? He is generally on time" I asked.
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"Maybe he got some work. Good for us if he doesn't come for next 10 minutes as well!" she said.
I chuckled.
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Suddenly, the Dean of the college entered into our class. Some police officers followed her.
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"Students, please pay attention. Officer Kepler would like to have a word with you all" she shouted.
The whole class went silent.
"Due to official work, campus will be closed for this week. No student is allowed to visit the University in these days. I thereby request you all to return to you homes safely. Students living in dorms are requested to stay there and not roam around the college. This is a very strict decision made by the committee itself. Everyone must follow."
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With this, they signed us to move out of the class. Everyone was mumbling inaudible gossips.
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"What's happening?" Raya asked.
"Not sure" I said.
There have been many serious matters earlier. Like, a student committed suicide, Prof. Jennifer's daughter went missing and many more.
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But, never have I ever seen college getting sealed for a whole damn week!
Curiosity inside me was eating me up.
Me and Raya were walking down the street when she squealed,
"Yah Carol! Why don't we go hangout? It's been a while since we had lunch together. We can watch a movie too. What is your say?"
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"Sounds good to me!"
We called a taxi and went straight to the WXM Shopping Complex which was on the edge of the forest that surrounded our city.
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~Little did we know that this hangout would be the worst one to remember~
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_Back at University_
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"Officer, I believe that students deserve to know what has happened"
"We can't let them know. Not until we ourselves know the reason"
A tension was building up inside the walls of that old University building.
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End of Chapter 1~
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