CHAPTER 1:ARRIVAL AT RAVENWOOD
Chapter 1: Arrival at Ravenwood
"Uhmm…"
We had been driving for hours, the road stretching endlessly ahead like it was deliberately testing my patience. Trees crowded closer and closer, their twisted branches forming a canopy above us, blocking out most of the sky.
"Who builds a school this far from civilization?" I muttered, resting my chin against the cold car window. "Is this a college or an exile?" can't believe this.
My dad ignored the sarcasm. He always did.
Then the car slowed.
"Finally," he said, parking. "We're here."
I stepped out reluctantly, my boots crunching against gravel that hadn't seen sunlight in years. The air felt… different. Heavier. Like the place was watching me arrive and silently judging my existence.
Just great
"Are you excited? First day, kiddo," my dad said cheerfully, grabbing my suitcase.
I shot him a look. "Dad, I'm not a kid anymore. And no, I'm not excited. Why would I be? I'm about to lose daily access to your amazing cooking. Especially the food. That alone should be illegal."
He laughed, the sound too warm for a place like this, and ruffled my hair. "Princess, I know this is a big change. But it's a fresh start. You'll adapt. You always do. Besides, we'll talk every day."
I pouted despite myself. Being a certified daddy's girl came with its own set of weaknesses, and I accepted mine proudly.
Turning around, I finally faced my new reality.
RAVENWOOD COLLEGE.
The name was carved boldly into a massive iron gate, the letters dark and unwelcoming, as if they'd been etched there centuries ago—and possibly cursed no doubt.
Beyond it stood the campus.
Calling it a school felt like an insult. It looked more like an abandoned castle pulled straight out of a gothic novel. Tall stone walls, narrow windows, sharp edges, and towers that disappeared into the gray sky. Despite its ancient appearance, Ravenwood ranked among the top colleges in the city.
Founded hundreds of years ago.
why did I have the unsettling feeling that it already knew mine?
"Remember, kiddo, behave yourself this time," my dad said, a mischievous spark in his eyes that betrayed both humor and worry.
"I will, Dad, I promise!" I replied, though my mind was already drifting to the strange adventures I could imagine waiting for me beyond those gates.
Stepping into Ravenwood College, my gaze swept across the sprawling campus. The buildings were massive, their spires and towers disappearing into the gray sky. Shadows clung to the corners, and the wind whispered through the trees as if the woods themselves were watching me. Maybe it was just my imagination… or maybe not.
The principal greeted me warmly, handing over a crisp map of the school and a small booklet of rules. Her smile was kind, but her eyes were sharp, sharp enough to make me straighten my posture without thinking.
"Remember, Leah," she said, lowering her voice slightly, "the south part of the woods is off-limits. It's… not safe."
I tilted my head. "Not safe? Why?"
Her lips pressed into a thin line. "Because of the wild animals," she answered, as if that explained everything. But the way she said it made my stomach twist with curiosity. Wild animals?
"Leah's curiosity piqued, but she nodded obediently, recalling her promise to her dad.
Making her way to her dorm, she felt lucky to have a room to herself. Most domes housed two students, but luck had clearly smiled on her.
That night, boredom proved impossible to ignore. Unable to sleep, Leah decided on a midnight stroll around the campus. The moon cast long, eerie shadows as she wandered, her footsteps echoing through the deserted corridors.
As she neared the south side of the school, an inexplicable pull tugged at her. Despite the principal's warning, she hesitated, curiosity gnawing at her.
Just as she was about to step forward, a teacher appeared, voice firm yet kind. "Where are you headed?"
Leah blinked, unsure how much to say. "Nowhere. I was just… um… admiring the view."
The teacher's gaze lingered for a heartbeat, then she nodded and continued on her way. Leah remained still, eyes fixed on the south side, where flashes of light danced like fireflies, teasing her imagination.
Shrugging, she resumed her stroll, the mystery of the flickering lights lingering in her mind like a whispered secret she couldn't resist pondering.
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Author's words:
Hi, guys hope you enjoy the first chapter
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