The night was eerily quiet for Charlotte, though this emptiness was not new to her. She remembered the tiny house she had left behind—a place that, from the outside, seemed perfect. Her strict father, her sweet mother, and her mature brother all appeared to make up a well-rounded family. Yet, despite their love and care, Charlotte had always felt an underlying sense of solitude.
Her school life had been a series of painful experiences. Charlotte, despite being talkative, friendly, and often clumsy, had been relentlessly bullied. Her outgoing nature did little to shield her from the taunts and exclusion of her peers. Her attempts to connect with others were often met with ridicule, and her struggles to express herself led to further isolation.
She had faced betrayal and backstabbing from those she tried to trust. Friendships that seemed genuine often turned out to be shallow, with others using her for their own purposes before discarding her when it suited them. The only friend who seemed to understand her was Paul. Their friendship was forged out of mutual loneliness, as he too struggled with his own social challenges. While he was a constant presence in her life, their connection felt more like a refuge from their shared isolation than a deeply supportive bond.
The decision to come to Ravenstone University was meant to be a fresh start, a way to escape the painful memories of her past life. Yet, as she sat in her new dorm room, surrounded by the antique charm of the old wooden bed and the dim glow of the solitary lamp, she couldn’t shake the feeling that her past was still with her. The grandeur and silence of Ravenstone seemed to amplify her sense of loneliness and uncertainty.
Suddenly, a knock on the door jolted her from her thoughts. Startled, Charlotte grabbed her pillow as an improvised shield and hesitantly opened the door. Standing there was a white girl with glasses, wearing a warm and welcoming smile.
“Hey, I’m Shera,” she said cheerfully. “I’m your dorm room neighbor. I saw you getting settled in. I also read your documents—well, I work as a part-time assistant for Mr. Hart after school. You’re an excellent student.”
Charlotte lowered her pillow, surprised and relieved by the unexpected visit. “Oh, hi! I didn’t expect anyone to come by this late. Thank you for the kind words.”
Shera nodded, her smile growing. “No problem! I noticed you missed your dinner. Since no one is allowed out of their rooms after dinner, I thought I’d bring you something. Here’s a pie—homemade, of course. We sometimes roam around after midnight since Mrs. Meghan, our dorm matron, would have already gone to bed. She’s quite strict, you know.”
Charlotte accepted the pie with gratitude. “That’s really thoughtful of you. I appreciate it.”
Shera continued, “Anyway, you must be tired. Let’s meet tomorrow at 5 a.m. before our chemistry class. I can show you around and give you a few tips about navigating Ravenstone.”
Charlotte felt a small spark of warmth at Shera’s kindness. It was a welcome relief amidst the daunting and impersonal atmosphere of the university. She thanked Shera and promised to meet her in the morning, feeling slightly more hopeful about her new start at Ravenstone.
YOU ARE READING
The Secrets Of Ravenstone
Fantasy"You want to fight it, but every part of you is screaming for me." At Ravenstone University, Charlotte Collins, an average student, struggles to keep up with the intense academic demands while grappling with the dark mysteries of the institution. Wi...
