Unseen

I: College on Hollow Street

The sun beat down on Hollow Street, where five dusty cars rusted in front of dorm building and a college campus that looked like it hadn't survived the 90s.

Alissa stood on the sidewalk with a clipboard in one hand and a box of cleaning supplies in the other. "This place seems bigger every year," she muttered, eyeing the nearby college buildings in the distance.

Mandy stepped out of her car. She squinted at the cracked windows and peeling paint. "This place barely survived last year. Not sure if it will this year," she said dryly.

Matt, Jeff, and Sean climbed out of the second car, lugging their bags.

"Well, maybe it will," Jeff said, leaning over to kiss Mandy on the forehead.

Sean rolled his eyes at Mandy. "Thank God we're not roommates, or I'd have to watch that every day."

Matt wrapped his arms around Alissa's waist. "Don't listen to him. He's just jealous." He said, looking at Jeff.

They walked into the main college building, a faded structure with flickering hallway lights and paint peeling at the corners. The smell of old books and disinfectant clung to the walls.

Inside, the group split off. Girls one way, boys the other.

Mandy and Alissa found their dorm room tucked at the end of the second floor.

It was small, with three beds, a shared desk, and a single window. A cracked mirror hung on the wall above a rusted radiator.

"Are we having a roommate?" Mandy said, pointing at the third bed.

"I don't know... Principal didn't say anything in a letter so, probably not."

"Well," Mandy said, dropping her bag on the bed, and dust flew around "Lovely."

Alissa smiled faintly as she unpacked her cleaning supplies. "Could be worse."

Across the hall, the guys filed into their room, which wasn't much better.

Sean tossed his duffel bag onto the top bunk and groaned. "Smells like a gym in here."

Jeff laughed. "That's probably just you."

Matt grinned, already unpacking his protein shakes and football gear. "Get used to it."

---

Later that day, they gathered in the orientation hall and received their class schedules, each based on the electives they'd chosen.

Mandy ran a finger down her schedule and smirked. "Singing, piano, music history, and... more singing. That tracks."

Alissa's schedule was packed with numbers and equations. "I've got math first period. Then calculus."

Jeff nodded. "Biology, for me. Labs twice a week."

"Psychology," Sean added. "Maybe I'll figure out what's wrong with all of you."

Matt shrugged. "Healthy living and sports. Finally, something I don't have to study for."

They shared a few laughs.

Later then, Mandy walked through the halls.

Other students just like her were passing by. Everything was the same, but something howled in her heart. Like everything is about to change.

Just then Alissa came up from behind and patted her shoulder. Mandy's breatg hitched.

"Hey, you okay?"

"Oh-yeah, I'm fine. I guess... Just don't you think something feels different this year?" Mandy looked around, then chuckled. "Like there is something living in these walls. I know, I sound crazy."