Yvon waited for Abby to pick her up. It wasn't long when a taxi drove by and stopped. The backseat window rolled down and Abby's smiling face came to view.
"Let's go!" she said enthusiastically. The taxi driver got out and helped Yvon to put her bag in the back while Yvon opened and the door and entered the taxi.
Greeted by such enthusiasm she can't help but smile a bit though she can't much Abby's zest.
"What happened last night? I was worried, that must have been so frightening. I'm glad you decided to move. "
"It was nothing, it was just some burglar. That reminds me I need to report to the police." Abby could only sigh at her friend's lack of survival instinct.
The taxi driver got back in and looked back at them. "Where are we going Ma'am?"
"Just to Hera University, could you please drop us off by the dormitories please?" Abby replies as the driver started the taxi.
"I really can't believe we would be freshman this year! But we should celebrate first."
"What for?" Yvon no longer have the emotional capacity to celebrate. Everything that happened had already exhausted her. All she wanted to do now is get some rest.
"It's your birthday, silly." Her smile quickly disappeared when she realizes her friend seems to be in no mood to celebrate. She didn't know how to comfort her.
"We don't have to, if you don't want to." Abby compromised.
"Thank you." Yvon felt sorry for ruining the mood but she is in no position to put on a charade.
They have arrived at the University and the taxi driver helped them with their luggage. They split the fare between them, Yvon did not want to be entitled to her friend's money.
Carrying her bag over her shoulders, they entered the girls' dormitory. It was a 4 story tall building, its design took inspiration from old churches from the country's history of colonization.
Despites it taking an inspiration to old churches it was by no means old. In the first floor was the common area, with high ceilings it was not constricting and crowded as you would expect.
Hera University has its roots on Spanish colonial period, it was once a religious school for those with prestige but was later change brought upon by change of management. So most of the facilities were not renovated and retained their influence.
The first floor has sparse students, it only makes sense that most of them left to go home to their respective homes. Only a few decided to spend their summer break in their dormitories and Abby and Yvon are now with them.
Despite having the university's management change its reputation did not change nor did it disappoints. They are known for producing excellent students both science and art but most parents know this university in producing excellent graduates in engineering and accountancy.
"Our room is in 317, on the third floor and here is my key. You go and unpack first and I'll talk to Ma'am Linda, she's the dormitory manager here." Abby urgently pushed Yvon to the staircase.
While Yvon looked back at her for reassurance which Abby responded with a thumbs up as she walked away to talk to Linda.
She walked up the a few flight of stairs to reach the third floor. It was even quieter on this floor compared to the first floor. The silence was so loud that she can hear her own breathing.
Yvon quickened her pace looking for room 317, alas she found it. The wooden plain door was deceiving on what really was on the other side.
As she opened the door to Abby's dorm, hues of blue was the main color of the dorm. There were a few stray papers here and there but it was not unbearably messy.
The decors and furniture was limited not only because of space but also because of a student's limited allowance. Abby chose softer hues of blue which gave it a cool and refreshing vide as opposed to harsher hues of blue that excludes maturity and regality.
Yvon could only settle her bag on the floor. She started picking up the papers thrown around the room settling it down in what seems to be Abby's study desk whilst avoiding to pry on what the papers where about.
She heard a knock from the door, 'That must be Abby.' Yvon thought as she opened the door. Indeed it was Abby. She was grinning ear to ear, she then held out of her hand another key that was similar to the one she gave Yvon.
"Here is your key, welcome to Hera University!" Abby in her excitement jumped up and down.
"Really Abby for being such a good friend."
"We've know each other since we were little. Of course it's only natural. Oh let's get you settled in your room. It's on the right side and mine is on the left but there is one bathroom here." Abby pulled her towards her room.
It was bland, the walls were painted a worn out beige but it has its charm like an old rose petals left on books as bookmarks. It just needs a bit of renovation.
"We could go shop for some bed sheets and pillows tomorrow, it's getting dark for now I'll let you borrow some of mine." Abby suggested, she then turns to towards her room.
Yvon smiled as she heard all the clamor her friend had to go through rummaging around her belongings. She must have forgotten where she put her extra bed sheets.
Yvon sat on the bare bed, it was soft though a bit cold. She stood back up to drag her bag on the living room to her room.
The was only one cabinet and a study table in her room as furniture aside from her bed. She started unpacking her clothes and she saw the book she found on the attic.
She stared at it for some time it was until Abby came back with a pillows and a bed sheet in tow did she regain stupor. She put the book down on her study table.
She received the bed sheet and pillows from Abby, though Abby insisted she help, Yvon rejects as she have done more than enough.
"After you finish, let's go down to the cafeteria for dinner."
"They have a cafeteria that's opened at night?"
"Yeah for students and that reminds me Ma'am Linda said that the curfew starts at 9." Abby closed the door behind her.
Yvon finished arranging her bed, and laid on top of it. Sighing out of pure bliss but it was interrupted when she heard Abby's voice calling her that it's time for dinner.
Yvon got up and straightened up her clothes and quickly grabbed her purse. On their way down to the cafeteria Abby was whispering stories of popular students and rumors around the school and the supposedly ghost in the library of the school.
When they arrive on the cafeteria, they got a tray and lined up to order their food. As they were chatting, Abby singled out a girl in one of the tables. The girl was alone and had her earphones on while she ate.
"She's Belle, in name and title. A lot of girls and boys hates her." Abby whispered as she secretly points towards Belle.
"Why? Did she do something?" Yvon whispers.
"Boys had their egos bruised while most of the girls are just jealous. She never fought back and minded her own but this only garnered her more hate."
"Are you girls going to eat or not?" The cafeteria lady interrupted causing them to be embarrassed. They quickly ordered and paid their meal.
The settled down their tray on the nearest available table. Both continued their chatter through-out their dinner, up until they got back to their dorm. After they both have washed up they both said their good nights.
Yvon went to her room, noticing the book on her study table she sat down on the chair.
"The Four Muses of Kismet." She reads aloud she did not expect it to glow and knock her out. All through-out the night the light in her room were turned on.
While Abby was deep in slumber unaware of what have just transpired to her friend on the other room.
Yvon felt her body getting lighter and calm but when she opened her eyes as if ten elephants were on top of her heart. She had difficulty breathing, it took her a moment to realize she was not in her room anymore.
She was in a dark corridor with its walls, floor, and ceiling a thunderstorm clouds. Shouting for help but she couldn't even hear herself over the rumbling and thunder.
Walking forward in this endless corridor, she was cold and shivering. After what seems to be hours of walking she saw a glimpse of light, although it was small she ran towards it and it grew bigger.
She found herself hesitating to get close when she saw the source of light, it was like a small star but its light burns. Despite her logical self argues to run way she can't help but long for it.
She took a step closer, hissing at the pain of burning. She endured until she was standing directly at it, but she woke before she could touch the orb.
Yvon woke up with a sharp pain on her neck as she have slept on her study table all night and was cold. She can't even shook her head in derision in her own stupidity.