Chapter One
(Amelia's POV)
The car finally slowed as the iron gates of Veldermor Hollows Institute came into view. After so many turns, stops, and fun activities , I was here—though my stomach still knotted with nerves.
Months of waiting, countless exams, and one scholarship later, it felt surreal to actually arrive.
The gates opened with a heavy creak. Bold letters greeted me:
WELCOME TO VELDERMOUR HOLLOWS INSTITUTE
And below, in smaller script: Per Selantom Asadimus. I didn't remember what it meant, but curiosity tugged at me.
Instinctively, I pulled out my phone and snapped a picture before Dad's car could drive through, ignoring the odd look from the guards at the entrance.
Inside, we parked in an open space. Dad helped me unload my luggage, stretching his back with a wince when we were done.
"Don't get into trouble, okay?" he said, his tone halfway between serious and soft.
He looked at me like he had only just blinked and somehow his little girl had grown into a young woman standing at the yard of her university.
"If anything happens… don't forget I'm just a call away."
I nodded, smiling at him even as my heart tugged. He promised to take care of everything at home—including Dain, my younger brother.
" take care of yourself ok ," Dad added. Then he turned to leave but turned again smiling, pinching my cheek. "And — my fluffy cushion—remember you're twenty now, and not a kid I don't want to see a swollen tummy when you visit"
He wiggled his brow
"Dad!" I laughed, swatting his hand.
From the Corner of my eyes I saw her
Chloe
"Good Morning Veldermour"
The few people around turned including me to see the mad girl seated at the window of the BMW weaving her leather Jacket like her life depended on it
"Grinning like a fool" I said with an irritated expression
Dad spoke to her in a different tone than with me like they're the best friends and not me .That's how it always was—Chloe, born into a rich family, was the experienced, bad-ass one, while me, born into a middle class family, is the quiet type.
She oh o shen is no quiet one Chloe attracted trouble and I avoided it. Still, I never blamed her for the differences. If anything, she was my anchor.
She has always been with me even through my first period cramps.... don't worry the that's a story for another day
We waved goodbye as Dad's car drove away, leaving us in front of the institute.
The place was enormous. Wide fields stretched before us, with neatly trimmed grass and orderly rows of benches under leafy trees. In the center, an open-book fountain sprayed water like shimmering pages caught mid-flip.
Beyond that, buildings rose tall and elegant, radiating the wealth of the families who sent their children here.
I hugged my bag closer, already feeling the weight of judgment from passing students. From their outfits, the way they walked, even the way they spoke, it was obvious: this was an institute for the rich. But I wouldn't let that crush me.
I had earned my place here.
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We wandered further in.
"We're lost," I muttered inside my head, though it probably showed on my face.
"Chloe," I whispered, "I told you we should've gone right —there's a reason it's called that ."
"Shh." Chloe shot me a look. "We're going the right way, okay? Just shut up and follow me."
I stopped
"I don't feel good about this.…"
"Amelia," she cut in sharply, "who did Dad put in charge?"
I frowned. "You."
"Exactly. So keep quiet and come on we ain't gonna fine a dorm to sleep in with your whining."
How dare this girl
I groaned but followed, even as we stepped into a semi-creepy-looking lane marked Lane Hollows. I couldn't resist snapping another photo, earning another glare from Chloe.
The path was decorated with ancient paintings, inks and colours like it was a scape land for an ancient artist painting the pains of reality in every corner of the path
The only thing off was the uncomfortable creepy feeling it gave off
We were just about to enter when a voice startled us.
"What are you doing here?"
We turned to see a boy—average height, not too handsome not too ugly just average,his glasses giving a slightly nerdy look.
He adjusted his glasses nervously.
"You shouldn't be here," he said quickly. "Follow me."
"And who are you if we may ask" Chloe said with a crooked brow
"If you don't want to get the principal involved please just come then introductions later"
First day hmm
I looked at Chloe as she did the same. When we were safely out of the lane, I spoke up. "Sorry—we were trying to find the office for registration, but we got lost."
He nodded. "Yeah… well, that's the right path, not the left. Easy mistake."
I irritatedly looked at Chloe. She only shrugged with a 'what?' look.
The boy introduced himself as James Harbor, another new student. "Been here just a week longer than you two. But word of advice—don't wander around Lane Hollows.
"Why what about it" I asked
"People say it's cursed. The old owner of the school died there. His son runs it now, but still—no one goes near."
Chloe and James fell into a not so easy conversation, as if they had known each other forever but as friends NO.
as enemies hmmm maybe as long time rivals as they seem to be very immersed in winning an argument
"He didn't they said he died"
"Or maybe they killed him for his treasures and buried it there ehiii"
"Everyone can't fake a a lie Chloe so just accept it"
"But what if they did hmmmm what about we go treasure hunting"
She said wiggleing her brows with a devilish smirk
"Your friend is scaring me
I stayed mostly quiet, listening, feeling both safe and unsettled at once.like why would they still leave such place why not just renovate
Right?
Eventually, we parted ways. Chloe and I found our dorms—yes we have thesame dorm maybe the handy work of coincidence, her dad's influence either way I bet on Chloe's begging to her dad
After unpacking, I crossed over to her side of the room to see what she was doing.
And she's lying down legs occuping the bed like she's marking her territory
I signed softly she hadn't even packed yet. Putting my earplugs on I retreated to my bed it was a long day after all
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