lost island

...

It was a Thursday morning, the day of the long-awaited excursion. The four friends, along with their classmates, were already aboard one of the five buses that had been organized for the trip. The buses were packed, with the sound of excited chatter filling the air as they set off.

The journey started smoothly, with the morning sun casting a warm glow over the roads. The landscape outside the windows changed as they drove, passing fields, forests, and small towns. The road was long, and although it wasn’t a smooth ride the entire way, it had its moments of calm, with the occasional stretch of smooth pavement that made the bumps less noticeable.

Ivy, always a bit dramatic, leaned back in her seat, her stomach growling. "When are we stopping for food?" she asked, glancing out the window at the passing scenery.

“Don’t worry, I brought snacks,” Elsa said, pulling out a bag of chips and offering it to Ivy. The others joined in with their own snacks, and soon the bus was filled with the sounds of crinkling bags and chewing. Alex, of course, had a huge sandwich that he insisted was the best food ever.

"We should’ve gotten something better than chips," Ivy muttered, her eyes on Alex’s sandwich.

"Maybe you should've packed it yourself," Alex teased, biting into his sandwich.

They made a few stops along the way, grabbing drinks and stretching their legs. Everyone was eager to get to their destination, but the journey itself was still filled with laughter, teasing, and anticipation. As the day wore on, the sun climbed higher, and the road began to look more and more unfamiliar.

Finally, after a few hours, they reached their destination. The bus pulled up in front of a large, imposing building—a massive mansion that looked more like an abandoned castle than a place for a school trip.

"I don't know, guys," Ivy said, eyeing the building skeptically. "It looks... creepy."

"Creepy?" Alex scoffed. "It looks haunted!"

Ethan, who was always the practical one, shook his head. "No, it looks dirty, not creepy. Just a little old."

Elsa peered out the window, frowning. "It's a mansion, but I guess I get why it feels off. It looks like it hasn’t been cleaned in ages."

The group got off the bus, the air cooler and more damp as they walked toward the entrance. The building loomed over them, its stone walls covered in creeping vines and moss. It was clearly old, but the sheer size of it made everyone pause for a moment, impressed despite the weird vibes.

When they stepped inside, the atmosphere shifted. The interior of the mansion was grand, with tall ceilings, old paintings, and marble floors that echoed under their footsteps. It was dusty and smelled like stale air, but there was a strange sense of elegance hidden beneath the dirt.

"There are maids here, probably hired by the school to keep the place in shape for us," Elsa explained as they walked through the hallway. The maids were dressed in neat uniforms, moving quietly around the rooms, dusting and cleaning, though there was still an eerie silence that filled the halls.

The group followed the staff to their rooms, each more beautiful than the last. The rooms were spacious, with antique furniture and large windows that overlooked the vast grounds. But, despite the beauty, something about the place still felt off.

“I think we got the same room,” Ivy said as she looked around at the twi n beds in the large, high-ceilinged room.

Elsa nodded. “Yeah, looks like it. Lucky us.”

Alex looked around, raising an eyebrow. "I bet it’s haunted," he joked, but his voice had a nervous edge.

Ethan just shrugged, sitting on one of the beds. "It’s fine, just a little creepy. Nothing to worry about."

As they unpacked their bags and settled in, the eerie feeling of the mansion hung in the air, but it was clear that the friends were more focused on the adventure ahead than the strange atmosphere surrounding them.

After the group settled into their room, unpacking their bags and getting comfortable, they heard a voice over the intercom, announcing that dinner was ready.

Ivy groaned dramatically. "Ugh, why can't we just have a dining hall or something? We’re about 3,000 students here!"

Elsa, who had already made herself comfortable on the mat by the window, looked up at Ivy with a raised eyebrow. "The dining hall won’t work, Ivy. This mansion's just not built for that many people. Besides, the food’s probably going to be great."

Ivy rolled her eyes but couldn’t help but feel curious about what they’d be served. "Fine, but I still think they should've had a dining hall or something."

"Come on, let's go meet Alex and Ethan," Ivy suggested, standing up. She walked toward the door, but Elsa remained seated, still relaxed on the mat.

"No, sit. After we’re done eating, we’ll go meet them," Elsa said, waving her hand dismissively. "Besides, I’m not in the mood to rush."

Ivy pouted but eventually sat down beside Elsa, waiting for the others to join them. As the food was finally served, the friends got a good look at the plates—steaming hot and perfectly cooked. The meal had a strong Brooklyn influence with a mix of hearty flavors.

Elsa looked down at her plate and smiled. "This looks like Brooklyn-style eggplant Parmesan, served with some garlic bread and a side of mashed potatoes. The kind of comfort food you don’t get often."

Ivy dug in with a sigh of relief. "This tastes amazing."

They ate together, savoring the warm meal after the long journey. The conversation flowed easily, with everyone laughing and chatting as they ate. But just as they were finishing, another announcement came through.

"Attention, students!" The voice came over the intercom again. "Please gather outside for a small gathering in the courtyard. We’ll be having a quick meet-up with the staff, so everyone head out once you’re done eating."

Elsa stood up, stretching. "Alright, Let’s go!"