Bound to an Apparition

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. Do not distribute, publish, transmit, modify, display, or create derivative works from or exploit the contents of this story in any way. Please obtain permission. *** Sol Kaye Evans Everyone has their own hidden darkness. We might see someone brighter than us, but deep inside those smiles is a story that we can’t decipher unless were interested to know some parts of their story. I was one of the brightest people before, but I became tired of it that forced me to switch schools, who wants to stay when no one notices my grief during my darkest days? All they see is my strength, they don’t know what I really feel on the inside. Why no one noticed how hurt I was to be alone even though I’m filled with different people all around me whom I’m sure will not stay with me until the end? Because of that, I have decided to make a fresh start, this time I wouldn’t be fake, I can be who I really wanted to be. “Ma’am… ma’am? Where will you be heading to?” the Uber driver asked for the nth time and I know for sure that he was starting to get really pissed due to my lack of response. “C-Crimson University,” I replied shyly as I lowered down my head just to avoid his judgmental stares, I was dazing off again jeez. I sighed in relief when I heard that he finally started the car and moved towards these bumpy roads of City Homes Resort Ville Town. It’s quite chilly up here since the whole village is placed at the top of a mountain which is filled with different itchy tall grass and sturdy-looking trees, it looks like no one is living here that much, the place looks really deserted. I chose this place because their population is only 2,500 and it’s quite a few for my taste, but I can manage. I was living in a big city before but moved to this town due to personal reasons. “Are you sure that you want to go there, Ma’am? I’ve heard disturbing rumors and stories about that University most especially the Urban Legend about Aka Manto,” the Uber driver mumbled worriedly, so I glanced at him. Aka Manto? Who is that? Sounded like a Japanese name that I always hear on the series of anime episodes that I always watch. “Who is that? And what about it?” I asked, but what I really wanted to say was: I just got here, how on earth would I know that weird guy with his… weird name? “There are stories about him being a ghost who kills students in some girl’s bathroom, it’s kind of odd, isn’t it? But I started to believe it when the population from this town were decreasing rapidly,” he whispered, which caused me to hug myself, was the aircon on his car too cold? I immediately shook my head and face him, “That’s ridiculous if that’s really true then that University wouldn’t accept anyone unless it’s dangerous right?” I stated in a hopeful tone, which made him sigh. “Plus, I really don’t believe in that, the ghost can’t harm you… but they can scare you if you have a little faith in yourself,” I added and gave him a fact unless it’s an apparition. Apparitions can choose to be visible to certain someone, they can also hurt someone because of their strong resentment towards their death and they’re only bound to one place where they were killed and on the other hand, ghosts are just spirits wandering around the world because they don’t know how to leave this world unless they have already done what they have to do without hurting someone. “I hope you are right ma’am and please be careful out there,” he mumbled mysteriously as he continued driving the car towards my desired destination. I used up the remaining money left in my bank for this to be possible. I've also searched for everything before I have decided to move into this town. For me to save money until I get accepted to my future part-time job, I’ll be staying in the dorms of the University for things to be really convenient for me. Plus, it’s a bonus that their tuition fee isn’t that expensive, it’s bearable on my shoulders since I tried working before. It's bearable, nothing else. If you’re going to ask me if I have a family? Then sorry to burst your bubble because that particular word doesn't exist in my life, I was alone and got used to it, but I have my so-called friends so is that considered a family? I don’t know… I just shrugged my shoulders and continued to observe the whole town, I was familiarizing myself with some parts of the town to know about where I can buy some of my decent foods and hygiene kits needed inside of the University. The ride has this deafening silence most especially when we have turned towards an eerie pathway towards the University, the road was bumpy because some of the trails here weren’t polished well like what I had in my old place before, the roads and highways there were cemented unlike here. The road was slanted downwards so we’re literally hanging because of this dangerous pathway. I flinched when the car horn in a very creepy way, it doesn’t sound like the usual horns I hear whenever some drivers are hotheaded on the road and wanted to speed driving when they lane up with lots of cars on the highway. Since the whole town was placed on almost top of the mountains, large sturdy-looking trees were surrounding us like were animals inside of a jungle which feels actually kind of nice since the smooth fresh air of pure nature is needed for our corrupted body most especially if you’re living in a big city before. “We have arrived at your destination mam, it’s only ten dollars,” the driver mumbled, which surprised me because it’s cheap for an Uber. I gave him a tip after he helped me put my big traveling luggage and bags at the entrance of the University. I was busy counting my bags like they’re a whole flock of sheep, I don’t want to look and find things once I settled in myself inside the dormitories. “You’re going to study here miss?” I gasped when I heard someone spoke around the creepy surroundings, the warm color of lights didn’t help to ease what was I feeling at the moment. It's almost dark soon that's why the lights are up. “Y-Yes I am, you scared me, sir,” I stated, which made the old guard laugh as he went over to my side to help me up with my things. “I hope you really have thought about studying here miss because if you’re scared with normal people calling out to you, who knows what you’ll do if Aka Manto calls you out?” he asked, which made me furrow my eyebrows in confusion. That Japanese guy again? What is really up with him? “Who is that Aka Manto really? I’ve been receiving lots of warnings and bad news from that guy,” I sighed, slightly curious about it, which made him chuckle like he's amused. “Well not all were chosen to meet him but if you’re unlucky ever since you were born then I suggest you prepare yourself for not going to some comfort rooms of the University,” he informed, which confused me for a moment. Well, I am so unlucky with my life since from the beginning jeez, what could be worse? “What? So, you mean to say that we're not allowed to use comfort or shower rooms even in the dormitories?” I asked, isn’t that a bit too much? They’re going to scare students away from here. “No miss, I mean to say during your school hours… it’s dangerous for you to use the comfort rooms at that hours, but the comfort room in your dormitories are safe, I can assure you that,” he reassured, which made me sigh. They're making up stories I can tell, I hope that’s really the case though. I just wanted peace and food. Well, I don’t know if any of those rumors or stories that they were talking about were really true and I don’t care anymore as long as I finish my studies here peacefully and alone. The guard helped me towards the registration office and left me there to talk to the woman in formal clothes with old framed glasses. She looks old maybe in mid40, who knows? “Well, what’s your name Miss?” the old lady asked while checking some bunch of papers on her table, it looks like she's really busy at this moment because there's a lot of papers piling up on her back too. I wanted to ask if she’s busy because I can come back or wait until later, but my body doesn’t have the courage to do that so I did the lather. “Sol Kaye Evans, 19 years old, and I registered online,” I politely said while fishing out my needed requirements on the brown envelope that I was holding and placed it on her table. Her hands reached out gracefully towards my papers and checked them thoroughly as if she’s a robot, she finally looked up to me so I just smiled at her. “How about physical exams? Have you finished them too?” she asked so I just nodded while handing out my medical requirements. She checked it again before looking up to me, “Are you mentally stable?” she asked, which caused my eyes to widen in disbelief. Well, that’s a first… who on earth ask that unless they’re a therapist? People inside this town are starting to get more and more interesting for my taste. But wait! What should I answer her? I’m not talking to weird walls or air, I dress well, I don’t talk alone… I sometimes talk to myself, but that doesn’t mean I’m not stable right? Well damn, I don’t know! “M-Maybe?” I sounded so unsure, which made her nod like she really doesn’t care even though she asked. Yeah, cool lady. If I ask you if you’re mentally stable wouldn’t that be too rude? Or digging in too deep for someone’s life? I just shrugged. She then opened a small drawer of hers before handing me my I.D, schedules, reference books, and the keycard for my dorm room. “You can go to the dormitories now to settle in and start attending classes tomorrow, avoid being too loud and most especially maintain your bowel and urine activities inside your room, as much as possible avoid comfort rooms during school hours,” she reminded me really fast so I just nodded even though I didn’t understand a few of her reminder,  but anyways who cares? Who follows rules? She called for a helper so that I could bring all of my big heavy luggage and bags inside the dormitories, the woman was quiet, but I’m grateful that she helped me so I gave her some tips and closed the door right after we have reached my room. The dorms weren’t that far from the University, a 10-minute walk is enough for you to reach your own room for your classes, I guess? I exhaled out a lungful air before roaming my narrowed blue eyes all around my room, I’ve chosen to be alone… having a roommate is a nightmare and a mess for me so I chose to pay for myself. The room looks… decent. That’s the only thing that I can say, one person, can really live here alone and I really didn’t expect that much since it's cheap. The fluorescent light looks like it was not used by anyone before and there’s one thing that I have noticed inside this Town and University, no people are roaming around even kids playing outside. I wonder why though? This place is perfect for roaming around since the air around here is so fresh and healthy. I just shrugged and decided to settle in because I have all the time today all by myself, the room is white and blue in color, the combination of curtains and bed sheets were also white and blue in color that looks aesthetically pleasing to my eyes. My room contains all of the necessities needed for the daily routines of a hard-working student. There’s a cabinet that is big and just right for me, a queen-sized bed, a small kitchen, a fridge, and a comfort room. There’s a small plastic study table near my bed so that’s where I have decided to put all of my notebooks, hygiene kits, and skincare products. I organized my clothes on the white cabinet. I used the hangers for my uniforms and folded my casual, undies, and comfy clothes below them by sizes and colors. I find it weird either… usually University colleges don’t wear uniforms anymore, but anyway they all have their different rules though. I kind of like the color, it’s a combination of black and crimson red, black coat, skirt, and a crimson red polo on the inside, perfect for their school name Crimson University. “Crap! Where did I put my schedules and keycard?!” I exclaimed before pacing back and forth towards my luggage and bags. Now, people, this is one of the practices that you shouldn’t take into your lives, this will make you not mentally stable. I glanced at the study table and sighed in relief after seeing my things on my plastic study table. I sometimes have short-term memory loss, but it isn’t serious though, just a mannerism that I have, I guess… wait did I really put this in here? My hands ungracefully tapped on the schedule when I noticed that there’s another folded paper tuck into it, my blue eyes narrowed right after I have read that paper. “Welcome to Crimson University my new victim, I hope you’re going to do well,” it was written using a red ink ballpen. O-Okay? Is it a Halloween theme for today’s year inside their University? And was this supposed to scare me? I shook my head and decided to continue unpacking some of my stuff for the rest of the day.   To be continued…