Zein's POV
I couldn't stop scratching my leg. I was wearing shorts, and the tall grass around us kept brushing against my skin. My rubber shoes were already covered in mud.
"Are you sure this is the way? Just tell me if we're lost already, okay? So I won't be shocked," I said irritably.
"Can you please shut up, Zein? You've been complaining nonstop, but you're not helping at all," Mia snapped.
I just rolled my eyes at Mia, who was busy pointing in a direction. She was the one holding the map she somehow picked up from who knows where.
"The grass is too thick. Be careful—there might be snakes around," Dave warned.
"Thanks for the fear, Dave," Vanessa said, holding a stick.
"Sshh. You'll only get more tired if you keep talking," Jerome cut in as he walked ahead of us.
"We're almost there. Just hang on a little longer," Matt said, trying to calm us down.
I almost cursed when mud stuck to my thigh. I shot Vanessa a glare because of the stick she was holding.
She just laughed and moved closer to Mia, not even apologizing.
We were on our way to Hell University, deep in the forest. Isn't that amazing? Haha. Mia had found a map, and since we're a group of friends who love adventure, here we are — on our way there.
"Ouch!"- I crashed into Matt's back when he suddenly stopped. Only then did I notice that everyone had stopped.
My jaw dropped when I saw what they were staring at. A huge, old gate stood before us, rusted and massive. In the center was the name "Hell University," written in what looked like blood.
Creepy...
"Is this it?" Jerome asked.
I almost rolled my eyes. Isn't it obvious, Jerome?
"I think this is it," Mia said.
"What are you doing here?!"
I grabbed Matt's clothes in fear when a man suddenly appeared, holding a machete.
Gosh!
"Is this Hell University? We want to enroll," Mia said.
A grin appeared on the man's dry lips. Shit.! I suddenly didn't want to be here anymore.
"Follow me," he said before walking ahead.
I clung to Vanessa's arm, who looked excited. Excitement was written all over their faces, while I was terrified.
Psh...
"I think this is a bad idea, Van," I whispered.
"You think so? Well, I don't think so."
I couldn't believe my eyes when we entered. Students were quietly talking; some were crying.
"You must register first," the man said.
I couldn't take my eyes off the students. Some stared at us sharply, while others were smiling. Shitt.!
Creepy...
"It will be exciting," Jerome whispered, winking at the girls.
The place felt suffocating despite its vast size. "Hell University"....
My thoughts were interrupted when....I covered my mouth when the students suddenly started running.
"What's happening?" Vanessa asked.
"A riot. Just ignore it," the man said casually.
"Riot? Then why isn't anyone stopping them? And you—why are you still here?" Dave asked.
We stopped in front of a door. The man faced us, his grin still intact.
"All your questions will be answered. Come on."
We entered the room and were greeted by a woman sitting on a swivel chair. She gestured for us to sit, which we did.
The muddy floor became even dirtier because of our mud-covered shoes. Don't they know how to clean? Tsk.
"So, good morning, newbies. I am Madame Violet, HU's Headmistress. Please fill out the forms," she said as the man handed us the forms.
While filling mine out, I kept glancing at Madame Violet and the man, both grinning at us.
My throat went dry, so I focused back on the form.
"Welcome to Hell University!" Madame Violet and the man laughed together.
"Thanks. Uhmm… how much is the tuition fee?" Mia asked.
"I'm a scholar of the Governor. I brought all my documents," Vanessa said.
Madame and the man exchanged looks before laughing.
"It's free. Everything is free."
Vanessa and Mia were thrilled, even giving each other a high-five. Matt, Jerome, and Dave just smiled.
"You must know our one and only rule," Madame Violet said with a grin.
"Only one rule?! Wow!" Dave said, amazed.
I frowned. Nothing here made sense.
"From 7:00 PM to 5:00 AM is our Freedom Night, also known as 'Bloody Night'."
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"Everything is free. You have complete freedom. And during that time, killing is legal. Lock all doors. Never go outside during that time. If you do—you will die."
My blood ran cold as I listened to her words, her grin never fading.
"Are you serious?! That's crazy—but it's cool!" Matt said.
Gosh! Don't they know how to be scared? This isn't the kind of adventure I want.
"You are newbies. Be careful. Not everyone you call a friend sees you the same way. Never let your guard down… or else."
By the time we reached the boarding house, I still couldn't believe it. Killing is legal?
God! Madness!
"Guys, I need some air," I said before stepping out.
I needed to calm myself. Negative thoughts flooded my mind—we might die here, and so many other things.
My feet led me to a nearby park. I hugged myself as cold wind blew. No one was there.
I sat on a rusty swing and pushed myself back and forth. I looked around. The students from earlier were gone, as if they had vanished. Are they
really that scary? Should I be scared too?
"You will die."
I turned toward the trees and saw a man wearing a black mask, smoking a cigarette.
"Who are you?" Fear consumed me when I saw the knife he dropped, drenched in blood.
I stood up from the swing, my knees shaking.
"Newbie. What's your name?"
"Z-Zein."
He laughed loudly. I felt insulted. There's nothing funny about this!
"Sounds angelic, but in the end, you'll also have to hold a knife to survive."
He threw the knife toward me. I stepped back, my throat dry with fear.
"Scared? You shouldn't have entered this place."
"Who are you?!"
He stepped closer, and I stepped back.
"I'm not your friend. No one here is your friend."
"It's already 6:30 PM. You have 30 minutes left. Lock all doors. Their eyes are on you. Be careful."
He turned and walked away, disappearing into the darkness.
Who was he? And who was he talking about?
I ran back to the dormitory and found my friends laughing. I slammed the door shut.
"We chose the wrong school! This is no longer for fun!"
They laughed.
"You'll die first from fear, Zein. Calm down," Mia said, laughing.
The bell rang loudly. I quickly locked all doors and windows.
"7:00 O'clock."
Silence wrapped around us.
"It's Bloody Night," Vanessa said as she tried to open the door, but I blocked her.
"Are you trying to kill yourself?!" I snapped.
"Relax. I was just joking."
They laughed again.
"Please… I don't want anything bad to happen to any of us," I begged.
I sat on the couch, arms crossed.
"I'm sorry," Vanessa said as she hugged me. Mia sat beside me.
"Are you really that scared, Zein?" Mia asked softly.
Tears welled up in my eyes.
"Mia, I'm serious. There's something more in this school. They're hiding many secrets."
"Let's sleep. Tomorrow, we'll leave," Mia said, hugging me.
"Thanks," I whispered.
"Sshh."
Dave peeked through the window. We joined him.
Many people in black masks were outside.
"Who are they?" Matt whispered.
We quickly shut the window when one of them looked our way.
Loud knocking echoed on our door.
"Stop it, Luke!" someone shouted outside.
Then silence.
We stayed huddled in the corner until I finally fell asleep.