The snow-covered landscape glistens in the sunlight, a blanket of white stretching out as far as the eye can see. A single figure sits amidst this winter wonderland while the snowflakes that fell earlier in the day still cling to the branches of nearby trees, their delicate edges etched in frosty precision and the figure, bundled up in warm clothing, sits on a bench or perhaps a rocky outcropping, reading a letter with a smile.
His hazel coloured eyes glittered as he blinked while the sun begins its gentle descent. The snow takes on a soft pinkish hue, like the gentle glow of a candle flame, the air was crisp and still, with only the occasional distant sound breaking the silence.
He folded the letter carefully and put it inside a golden envelope which had a silver wax stamp. His rosy lips curved into a smile again as he stared at the envelope with disbelief.
"The last time I tried was over a year ago...this is definitely the best birthday gift ever." He said excitedly as he gazed out at the peaceful scene.
He stood up and laughed so hard that he started shedding tears. "Thank you February...thank you California." He shouted happily.
Two months later, he was in California with a big bag, standing in front of a huge building under the brilliant blue sky. The clouds were no where visible while the sun shone brightly overhead.
He inhaled the sweet scent of blooming flowers carried by the breeze and smiled warmly to himself before walking into the school compound.
"You must be..." A tiny voice said and he looked up to see a tall skinny woman standing Infront of the school main door.
"Lenny!" He said calmly "Lenny from Switzerland. A new stu..."
"Oh my dear Lenny. Look at you" she said happily and pulled him to herself for a hug while Lenny was looking so lost.
"I don't think I know you." He managed to say and the woman pushed him back playfully while admiring him.
"Lenny Von Gunten....aren't you?" She said, still looking amazed.
Lenny let out a smile of disbelief "that's my name but..."
She interrupted him "your mother is my best friend and your father is my husband's brother...such a big aunt I am." She said as she let him in and led the way. "It's a shame my husband is no more. He would have made you stay with us for a week before your full resumption...the last time you came to the United States, you were so young...you were just 12..."
Lenny looked around while the woman continued talking. He was admiring the pointed roofs reaching for the cloud, the windows narrow and tall and twisting corridors. "Who build a university in such a strange way." He whispered to himself as he walked faster to keep up with the woman.
"...The last time I spoke with your mum was in February. I miss her so much and now that we share surnames too...ha ha ha...funny." the woman continued as Lenny couldn't help but focus on the environment.
"This is where you will get your student card and the likes. You will be directed to a senior for orientation." She said as they stopped in front of a huge door. "His name is William and tell him you're from Mrs. Von Gunten."
Lenny nodded and without looking at Mrs. Von Gunten twice, he opened the big door and went inside. The door closed itself behind him which made him wonder what type of technology they use in the school.
"Lenny Von Gunten." A man called from the distance and Lenny shifted his gaze from the door to the large table in front of him.
A man in his fortys sat behind the table on a royal-like chair, his smile was welcoming and his brown eyes were glittering with excitement. Lenny looked at him and wondered what type of university has an office that looks so strange.
"I saw you with Mrs Von earlier. Instantly, I knew you're the one she always talk about." He smiled "anyway, my name is professor William Woods. You are welcome to grey school of Wizardry."
Lenny froze and shouted "school of Wizardry? Are you kidding me?"
Professor William laughed happily and said "I know it's your childhood dream to study here. Mrs Von told me everything."
"Oh no!" Lenny whispered to himself. "I never knew schools like this exist....come to think of it, I never check out the name of the school that offered me an admission. I guess I was overly excited but not anymore."
"I believe this is a mix up" Lenny told professor William. "I only want to study philosophy not wizardry and not in this school."
Professor William laughed again and said. "Well, your mum made this one a surprise...a birthday surprise and that's why you got your dream school"
"Err..." Lenny wanted to object but then he remembered that he was all alone for years before he got the admission. He lost his parents to COVID 19 and his twin siblings hasn't been home since they got admitted into the university in Australia about three years ago. He had prayed, hoped and later given up on admission process before he got this chance."don't let me mess this up... it's an escape from loneliness, I'll try other schools soon." He whispered to himself.
"I'm happy to be here" Lenny said to Professor William and let out a fake laughter.
"Great!...ha ha ha." Professor William laughed which felt so strange to Lenny. He placed a big green box on the table and the box had Lenny's name on it. "You have everything you need there, your room number....keys... uniform...shoes...cards...name of who you will meet for orientation...and many more....just check it out yourself." He said.
Lenny was feeling exhausted already and all he needed was some rest to bring him back to reality. "Errm... nevermind...thank you. Can I locate my room now and sort it all out this week?" He asked as he carried the box from the table.
"That'll be smart...if you sort it all out early, you will have time to do other things." Professor William said calmly.
Lenny carried his bag along with the box and left professor William's office. The door opened itself and he couldn't stop wondering who the other Lenny Von Gunten was. "He must be having a tough time not getting this admission...I know how it feels." He muttered.
"You must be Lenny." A Male voice said sharply and Lenny could see a French boy about his age standing in front of him. "I was notified earlier about your orientation and I was also notified that you're now in the school...I've heard so much about you. I'm Luca Albert." He said as he extended his arm and Lenny joined for a handshake.
"I'm Lenny Von Gunten." He said as Luca released his hand.
"Let's go inside. You can unbox in my room before heading to yours." Luca said. "Let me help you hold your box."
"Oh! Thank you." Lenny said and smiled genuinely because his hands has been aching since he left professor William's office with an extra box. "And why are you so nice to me?" He asked.
"Have you forgotten that your uncle was the president of this school? He's late now though but he was a nice man to all." Luca said calmly as they walked into a building. The hallway was long enough for the building to have up to a hundred rooms. It never seems to end.
"Oh yes...a great man he was." Lenny said and thought "if the real Lenny Von Gunten show up later, I will be in big trouble."
"Here's my room." Luca said as he opened the door. "I have no roommate since they believed my room is the most hunted."
"Hunted? What is hunted in here?" Lenny asked sarcastically.
"You can't pass a night here. I'm used to it though. More than thirty students have committed suicide in this room and their souls never left. It was said that the soul of the first student who committed suicide tormented the second one to commit suicide and it goes on like that. I once had a roommate but he also committed suicide." Luca explained without showing any emotion.
Lenny had instant goosebumps and wished he never asked about the hunted thing. "Can I unbox now and go to the room after?" He asked.
"Yes!" Luca said and watched Lenny unbox impatiently. "My room being the most haunted in this school doesn't mean other rooms are not hunted unless your room is in another wing. Every room in this wing is hunted by at least one entity."
Lenny looked at Luca as if he was suddenly scared. "Including my room?" He asked and Luca nodded.
"But not those that will make you commit suicide." Luca smiled as he sensed Lenny's fear. "Your uncle was a good man, no non-ghost will harm his blood."
"My room is in the south wing, 64." Lenny told him.
"You are in the south wing and your room is 12 rooms away from here." Luca informed him. "I guess you can't escape it."
"Atleast, I won't die by suicide. I'm going to my room....I will do the remaining unboxing there." Lenny said.
"Good luck but you will have to come by later for your orientation." Luca told him as he opened the door for him.
"Yeah! Thanks." Lenny said as he hurried out of the room. "From wizard to hunted...what have I gotten into?" He muttered.
Lenny's fear rose with every step he took in the quiet corridor. He finally got to room 64. The door was the same as Luca's, he removed the key from his pocket and opened the door.
The room was heavily dark, Lenny felt the cold breeze coming from within. He walked inside impatiently, leaving the door open to ease his fear. He didn't know where the window was and he had to start searching by tracing the wall with his fingers.
Suddenly, the door slammed shut and Lenny could sense that someone was standing behind him and staring hard. He tried to make himself believe that it wasn't happening but then he heard.
"You are not Lenny Von Gunten, are you?" A lady's voice asked in the darkness and Lenny screamed in fear.