In the days that followed, Raven tried to live her life like a normal student - greeting every activity with enthusiasm and enjoying her time with Meredith and her friends.
That morning, Raven and Meredith sat on a bench in the campus park, enjoying the warm morning sun. Both of them were busy eating the chocolate muffins they bought at the cafeteria.
"I don't understand why professors like to make impromptu quizzes," Meredith grumbled, munching on her muffin. "Look, I didn't even have time to eat breakfast. I'm told to think about it in the morning!"
Raven giggled. "That's practice too, Mer. You're still answering anyway, even if it's just the original?"
Meredith glared. "Of course! It's a good thing I'm sitting next to you-at least I can follow your confident gaze for answers."
The two of them laughed so hard that it attracted the attention of some students sitting nearby.
Raven enjoyed little moments like this, away from the hustle and bustle and tension of her strange dreams.
Not long after, Lucas arrived with Maya and Ben, their two new friends who were humorous and could always make the atmosphere more exciting.
"Eh, I heard that Professor Lorry wants to give us a group assignment that's... horrifying?" said Maya, imitating a scary voice. "From what I've heard, it's going to really work on us."
Ben laughed as he sat down next to them. "That's right, we're supposed to do a research project in the old library on campus, the one with the ghosts."
Raven glanced at Meredith with wide eyes. "Seriously? Our campus has a haunted library?"
Lucas nodded enthusiastically. "Yes! It's in the west building. At night, there are sometimes strange noises. I heard that someone has seen a figure in a black robe walking around there."
Hearing that, Meredith tapped Raven on the shoulder. "How about it, Raven? Let's get ready for our ghost hunting mission."
Raven pretended to raise her hand, feigning trepidation. "No comment, all that matters is that we get good grades!"
On Saturday, the group decided to start their research project in the old library.
Carrying notebooks and some necessary equipment, they gathered in front of a dark and deserted old building.
Raven felt a bit of tension, but she tried to ignore it in favour of maintaining a cheerful mood.
"This is the library... it's kind of spooky," Ben said, staring at the large wooden door in front of him. "I haven't been to this place in a long time."
Lucas patted his shoulder. "Relax, Ben. If there are ghosts, let Raven talk to them."
Raven laughed and punched Lucas lightly on the shoulder. "Don't make me more nervous! I'm here for a research project, not to communicate with ghosts!"
They entered and started looking for reference books relevant to their project. The stacks of old books, tall shelves, and the distinctive smell of the ancient library created a slightly mysterious atmosphere.
Amidst the silence, Meredith suddenly muttered, "Eh, let's see, there's a dusty book in the corner over there. It looks interesting."
Raven approached the shelf and picked up a worn-looking book with a brown leather cover. Suddenly, a cold wind blew softly around her, making her hair stand up.
"Wow, why is it suddenly so cold?" said Raven softly.
Maya, who was standing next to her, shrugged. "Maybe it's a leaking air conditioner?"
Raven smiled a little, then refocused on the book in her hand. When she opened it, she found a strange handwritten note with ancient symbols.
Some of the words seemed like a foreign language to her, but somehow felt a little familiar.
Lucas approached Raven and looked at the page. "Hmm... strange, what language is this?"
Raven frowned, trying to remember something. "I don't know, but... I think I've seen this before. I don't know where..."
Meredith grabbed the book from Raven's hand and read aloud, "To open the door to the hidden world, hold this key tight and remember who you are."
When she heard those words, Raven felt like she was being pulled back into the shadow of her dream. Simon Oberon's face suddenly flashed in her memory, calling out the name "Elara."
"Raven, what's wrong with you?" asked Ben suddenly, noticing Raven's strange expression.
Raven snapped out of her reverie and forced a smile. "Oh, it's okay. I just feel... maybe I'm just tired."
They resumed their search with a slightly calmer atmosphere. However, in the midst of their seriousness, there was a sudden rustling sound on the next bookshelf.
"E-eh... what's that sound?" whispered Maya while holding Meredith's arm tightly.
Lucas smiled, trying to calm them down. "Ah, probably just a mouse or something falling."
Ben looked at them with worried eyes. "Yeah, let's hope it's a mouse and not... something else."
However, when they turned their heads, they saw the shadow of a person crossing the aisle between the bookshelves. Instantly, their group froze. Raven held her breath, her gaze alert and full of fear.
When they stepped closer to the source of the voice, it turned out to be a library employee arranging books.
The employee waved kindly, as if recognising their tension. "You guys are doing research, right? Relax, you're safe here," he said with a warm smile.
Everyone in the group laughed with relief, trying to get rid of the tension that had been building up.
After chatting with the library staff for a few minutes, they returned to their desks, sat down, and continued their research with lighter hearts.
As the afternoon approached, they finished their research and left the library in high spirits, joking and chatting all the way home.
Although the day was filled with tension and strange events, Raven was happy to be able to spend time with her friends.
Deep down, however, she was worried. The dreams that had been haunting her seemed increasingly urgent for her to understand.
The following nights might be even harder, but Raven promised herself to get through it all. She wasn't alone, there was Meredith, Lucas, and all the friends who always made her days full of laughter and colour.
Raven smiled a little, stepping lightly beside her friends while looking up at the sky that was slowly getting dark.
Perhaps, in this long journey, she would find more answers that she had been looking for.