Chapter One
620 Words
First-year of university was complete. It felt like yesterday I had gotten an acceptance letter, came to university, attended the orientation with my roommate who within a year became my best friend. Being in the same classes only increased our friendship. I couldn't have asked for a better roommate.
All of them had already gone home since my car was at the repair show. I had to stay for one more day.
My phone was flooded with texts messages from my family, especially from my sister, Naomi.
Naomi: When will your car get repaired?
Naomi: Is your car repaired yet? Mom is freaking out a little.
Naomi: I am taking your jacket for the trip.
I had a list of things to do before I left for my family trip. The entire Evans family, along with all the aunts and uncles, all of them in one place. A family tradition that we followed for as long as I could remember. It was a lot more fun when we were younger. All that mattered was playing. The summer holidays were the best option for everyone, we always kept that.
It is better to have a few things done. Just stay on phone waiting for the repair company to call. I headed to the nearest local charity bookstore. It is the only thing on the list I looked most forward to.
The bookshop wasn't crowded today. The overwhelming smell of the books was all around me. I look through the new arrivals in peace at my phase. There were a lot of books in the horror genre and very few romances. I pick one from every different genre. I had been saving for two months straight for them. Lucky for me, most of them were cheap.
I grabbed an Italian wrap from the place beside the bookstore. I checked my phone, no calls or messages, at least I have new books to pass my time. When I got back to my dormitory, more people were leaving. Am I going to be the last one to leave? I locked my doors.
They said I would receive the car today or tomorrow. There is nothing to freak out.
I went through each of the books I had gotten to take my mind off things, mostly the part where I think the university dorms might be haunted. I placed them on top of each other and sent them to my sister before the books fell over.
An unopened envelope dropped from one of them. I flipped it backwards. It had no address written on it. I carefully unsealed the envelope.
Dear Anonymous,
First, I would like to congratulate you on your great taste in literature. Personally, this book is one of my favourites. The characters and the writing in this book are something I wish to achieve in mine. Whoever you are, I hope you are well. Before you get weirded out by this letter, I would like to invite you to be my pen pal. I don't know the formal way to ask someone to become a pen pal. There were a few groups on social media, but I wanted to try the old way through letters. I am not a sixty-year-old man, in case you were wondering. No offence if you are a sixty-year-old man. I will still be glad to have you as my pen pal. I could use your wisdom.
There are certain rules to this.
No real names, not mentioning any details about your address, basically the goal is to remain completely anonymous.
If I freaked you out, I thoroughly apologize. You can always throw this letter and pretend this never happened.
I hope to hear from you.
Yours Faithfully
- Writer
