SHADOWS OF THE PAST

CHAPTER 2: FIRST NIGHT, UNKNOWN FACES.

The elevator dinged softly, and Anastasia stepped out onto the fourth floor, her suitcase rolling steadily behind her. The hallway stretched ahead, quiet and dimly lit, each door numbered neatly along the wall. She paused outside Room 412, taking a deep breath. Her hand shook slightly as she swiped the keycard; the lock clicked open, and she stepped inside.

The room smelled faintly of cleaning supplies mixed with a hint of lingering perfume from the previous occupant. It was small but welcoming: a neatly made bed, a wooden desk stacked with leaflets and campus maps, and a window overlooking the courtyard.

Anastasia set down her bags and sank onto the bed for a moment, letting the reality of it all wash over her. This is it… London. Your new life starts now.

She began unpacking, folding her clothes carefully and arranging her belongings. Every so often, she glanced at the window, watching students move across the campus , laughing, carrying books, wheeling suitcases, chatting with friends she didn’t yet know.

Her nerves didn’t calm entirely. Every new sound, every sudden laugh in the hall made her heart jump. She fumbled with a stack of leaflets when the door opened suddenly.

“Oh! Sorry!” she blurted, nearly dropping everything.

“Hi! You must be Anastasia,” a friendly voice said.

Anastasia turned to see a girl with bright eyes, messy bun, and a colorful backpack standing in the doorway. “Uh… yes,” Anastasia said, smiling nervously.

“I’m Mia,your roommate,” the girl said, stepping in and setting her bag down. “Wow, I’ve been here a few days already, but I haven’t seen anyone else move in yet. You’re finally here!”

Anastasia smiled, relieved. “It’s… a lot to take in.”

Mia laughed softly, dragging her suitcase over to the second bed. “I know the feeling. First time in London, first time at uni… everything hits at once. Don’t worry, you’ll get the hang of it. I promise.”

They spent the next few minutes arranging their things. Mia seemed relaxed and easygoing, occasionally offering tips: “The reception desk is that way if you need extra keys. Orientation starts at five. And if you’re hungry, there’s a small café downstairs amazing pastries.”

Anastasia nodded, absorbing everything while trying to hide her nerves. She’s confident… maybe I can learn from her.

Once their suitcases were unpacked, Anastasia placed her favorite notebook on the desk, the one she had carried from her hometown and smiled. Some things don’t change, even in a new city.

The courtyard outside buzzed with activity. Students wheeled suitcases, practiced musical instruments, or chatted in small groups. London glittered beyond — lights, movement, endless possibilities.

Her mind drifted back to the plane — the man in black, his quiet intensity, the subtle way he had looked at her. She shook her head, trying to dismiss the thought. Focus, Ana. Focus on this life. Classes, friends, dorms…

But curiosity lingered. There was something about him, a feeling she couldn’t explain. Why does he feel… important?

Mia glanced at her. “You okay? You seem… distracted.”

“I’m fine,” Anastasia said quickly, forcing a smile. “Just… taking it all in.”

Mia nodded knowingly. “I get it. First day nerves. You’ll settle in faster than you think.”

As dusk fell, the hallway grew quieter. Anastasia leaned against the window, watching the campus glow with street lamps and the last traces of sunlight. Somewhere in the distance, she thought she caught a shadow moving quickly, too quick to be a student. Her heart skipped. Could it be? No… probably just someone late for orientation.

Still, she couldn’t shake the feeling that her life in London was about to get far more complicated than she had imagined. Something, or someone was waiting for her, and she had no idea how close it already was.

After dinner in the campus café, a small tray of pasta and a warm drink that smelled faintly of cinnamon. Anastasia returned to her room, her suitcase now unpacked and her space starting to feel like home. Mia had already arranged her bed neatly and was sitting cross-legged on her bed, scrolling through her phone.

“Want me to show you how to set up the Wi-Fi?” Mia asked. “It’s a bit tricky the first time.”

Anastasia nodded, grateful for the guidance. They crouched together near the desk, and Mia patiently explained the steps, her fingers flying over the keyboard. Soon, Anastasia’s laptop blinked to life, and she felt a small rush of accomplishment.

“Perfect!” Mia said, smiling. “Now you’re officially connected to London.”

Anastasia laughed softly, feeling a bit of the tension ease from her shoulders. She pulled her notebook toward her and scribbled a quick note: Made it to Queen Mary. New life starts here.

For a while, the two roommates talked quietly about their hometowns, favorite books, and why they had chosen London for university. Mia was easy to talk to — confident without being overwhelming, curious without being nosy. Anastasia felt a spark of comfort in her presence, realizing that she wouldn’t be entirely alone in this new world.

Later, when Mia left briefly to grab a snack from the common area, Anastasia sat on her bed and gazed out the window. The city lights flickered against the evening sky, the streets alive with movement and sound. She watched students walking in pairs, music drifting from somewhere, the faint hum of cars far below.

Her thoughts drifted back to the plane, to the man in black, and that subtle, lingering glance. She shook her head, trying to dismiss it, but the image of him persisted. Why can’t I stop thinking about him?

A small shiver ran down her spine as she remembered the mysterious text she had received shortly after landing:

UNKOWN: London isn’t always what it seems. Be careful who you trust.

Probably spam… right? she told herself. But deep down, a tiny part of her wondered if it wasn’t. London was full of possibilities and maybe some dangers too.

Anastasia opened her notebook again, writing down a list of things to do in the morning: orientation, getting to know the campus, meeting other students. She wrote quickly, almost frantically, trying to tame her racing thoughts.

She paused, hands hovering over the page, and looked around the room. This small space, once intimidating, now felt like a sanctuary, a place where she could plan, dream, and grow. She ran her hand over the cover of her notebook again, thinking of her family back home, her stepmother, and siblings. She missed them already, but she also felt a spark of pride. She had made it here.

A soft knock on the door startled her.

“Hey, Ana,” Mia’s voice said from the doorway. “I grabbed some snacks if you want. Thought we could keep talking… or just chill.”

“Sure,” Anastasia said, smiling. She stood, feeling a little more grounded, and joined Mia on the floor with the snacks. They laughed quietly, shared stories about first-day nerves, and talked about the clubs and activities they wanted to try.

Eventually, Mia yawned and stretched. “I should probably get some sleep. Big day tomorrow.”

“Yeah… me too,” Anastasia replied. She tucked her notebook into her bag and lay back on her bed, staring at the ceiling.

The city outside hummed softly, lights casting a warm glow through the window. Somewhere far below, footsteps echoed, voices drifted, and cars rolled past. Anastasia’s mind wandered one last time to the man in black the fleeting glance, the quiet intensity, the lingering curiosity.

He’s here somewhere… I can feel it, she thought. And somehow, I have a feeling this is only the beginning.

With that thought, she finally closed her eyes, letting the excitement and uncertainty of London wash over her, ready to face whatever came next.