Chapter 1: The First Night (Part 1)
The taxi came to a slow stop in front of the tall black gates of Westbridge University. Ethan Cole stared out the window for a moment before reaching for the door handle. His heart was pounding so hard he could hear it over the sound of students talking outside.
"So... this is it," he murmured.
His mother smiled as she stepped out beside him. "You've been talking about this day for years. Don't tell me you're nervous now."
Ethan laughed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Maybe just a little."
She adjusted the collar of his shirt, just like she had done on every first day of school since he was a little boy.
"You know I'm too old for that, right?"
"I know," she said with a grin. "But you'll always be my son."
They stood there for a few seconds, watching students hug their families goodbye. Some were taking selfies while others struggled with heavy suitcases. The campus was full of excitement, yet Ethan couldn't shake the strange feeling sitting in his stomach. Maybe it was just the fear of starting over in a place where he knew no one.
His mother reached into her handbag and handed him a small brown envelope.
"I wanted to give you this before I left."
Ethan looked at it without opening it.
"Mum... you didn't have to."
"It's not much. Just keep it. In case of an emergency."
He knew better than to argue. His mother had worked double shifts at the grocery store for months to make sure he had everything he needed. Even when money was tight, she never complained.
He hugged her tightly.
"I'll make all your sacrifices worth it."
She smiled, though her eyes were beginning to water.
"You already have."
A few minutes later, the taxi disappeared down the road, leaving Ethan standing alone with his suitcase.
For the first time in years, he truly felt on his own.
Taking a deep breath, he pulled his suitcase behind him and walked through the university gates.
The campus was beautiful. Tall trees lined the pathways, students laughed as they crossed the courtyard, and music drifted from somewhere nearby. It looked exactly like the university life Ethan had imagined.
After collecting his registration documents, he followed the signs leading to the student hostel.
The further he walked, the quieter everything became.
The newer buildings gave way to an older part of the campus. The hostel waiting for him looked different from the rest. Its paint had faded years ago, and cracks ran across parts of the walls. Some of the windows looked as though they hadn't been cleaned in ages.
"It probably just hasn't been renovated," Ethan muttered to himself.
He rolled his suitcase inside.
Behind the reception desk sat a middle-aged woman wearing reading glasses. She smiled politely as she checked his name on a list.
"Ethan Cole?"
"Yes, ma'am."
She handed him a small brass key.
"Room 214. Second floor. Welcome to Westbridge."
"Thank you."
As he turned toward the staircase, two older students sitting near the entrance looked up at him.
One nudged the other with his elbow.
"Another freshman."
The second boy gave Ethan a long look before shaking his head.
"I hope this one lasts longer than the others."
Ethan stopped walking.
"What do you mean?"
The boys exchanged quick glances.
The first one forced a smile.
"Nothing. Forget we said anything."
Before Ethan could ask another question, they stood up and walked out of the building, laughing quietly among themselves.
He watched them leave, confused.
It was probably just another prank to scare new students...
At least, that's what he told himself.
But as he climbed the stairs to Room 214, he couldn't shake the feeling that those boys hadn't been joking at all.
(End of Part 1)
