The wind howled softly outside as dark clouds slowly covered the evening sky. The old school building stood quietly at the edge of the town, its tall windows reflecting the fading sunlight. From a distance, the building looked normal—just another high school where students came every day to study, laugh, and dream about their futures.
But the people in the town knew something different.
They knew the school had secrets.
Riya stepped through the rusty iron gate, adjusting the strap of her backpack on her shoulder. It was her first day at Evergreen High School after transferring from another city. The courtyard was large, surrounded by tall trees whose branches creaked softly in the wind.
Students were gathered in small groups, talking and laughing.
Everything looked normal.
Yet, Riya couldn't shake the strange feeling that something about this place was… wrong.
She ignored the thought and walked toward the main building.
Inside, the hallways were long and slightly dim, even though it was still daytime. The walls were painted a dull cream color, and old photographs of past school events hung unevenly along the corridor.
Her footsteps echoed softly on the floor.
"Hey! Are you new here?"
Riya turned around to see a girl about her age running toward her. She had curly hair and bright eyes.
"Yeah," Riya replied with a small smile. "I just transferred here."
"I'm Kavya," the girl said cheerfully. "What's your name?"
"Riya."
"Well, welcome to Evergreen High," Kavya said. "Don't worry, you'll get used to this place quickly."
They began walking together toward the classroom.
As they passed one of the long hallways, Riya noticed something strange.
At the far end of the corridor stood a large wooden door.
It looked different from all the other classroom doors.
Older.
Darker.
Almost like it didn't belong there.
"What's that room?" Riya asked, pointing toward it.
Kavya suddenly stopped walking.
Her cheerful expression faded for a moment.
"That?" she said quietly.
Riya nodded.
Kavya glanced nervously around the hallway before speaking.
"You shouldn't go near that door."
"Why?" Riya asked.
Kavya hesitated.
"Because…" she whispered, "that room doesn't exist."
Riya frowned in confusion.
"What do you mean it doesn't exist? I can literally see it."
Kavya shook her head slowly.
"That's the strange part. According to the school maps, there is no room there."
A cold breeze suddenly moved through the hallway.
The lights above flickered once.
Riya looked back toward the door again.
For a moment, she felt as if something on the other side of the door was… watching her.
Just then, the school bell rang loudly.
Students began rushing through the corridors.
"Come on," Kavya said quickly, grabbing Riya's arm. "Class is starting."
They walked away, disappearing into the crowd.
But Riya couldn't stop thinking about the door.
Because just before she turned the corner, she thought she saw something move under the door.
A shadow.
Slowly sliding across the floor.
And the strange feeling grew stronger in her mind.
The feeling that something inside that room…
was awake.