Mystery
CHAPTER I:The Well of Unspoken Melodies
At times, late into the night, just before dawn arrives, I find myself standing at the brink of the well behind my apartment, which is but the lame remains of a stone opening from which an unwelcome dampness and an inexplicable nostalgic odor egress. The woman I have fallen in love with exists in the silence of the well, although she has never visited, lived, or moved into this space. She could reside in the negative spaces: the interval between the drops of water, the shadow that hugs the bricks, the remembered laughter of a laugh I dreamed once. I have made a secret of her name even to myself.I met her in a jazz bar in Shinjuku, Tokyo, while the saxophone's vapid breath fogged the windows and the ice in my whiskey would freeze in time. She sat two barstools down from me and was reading from an old edition of The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle, her fingers slowly stroking the book's spine as if it were an artifact of divine significance. Her hair settled as a curtain of protection between us, and every time she turned a page, the sound rumbled like nearby thunder. I made myself order another drink that I didn't want, to remain comfortable to the warm silence while she had not left. She left before the set was over and left a hair clip, which was shaped like a small sparrow.I concealed it within my pocket, where it buzzed against my thigh like a caged cicada.The hairpin now rests upon my poor, sad desk next to an unwanted stack of letters that regretfully, I have never sent. Of an evening, when the pulse of the city becomes somewhat relaxed, I will press it to my ear and imagine I can hear something—a jazz standard played backward or a train running on tracks too far out of the imagination to fully comprehend. I write her about these oddities; “The well is deeper than it seems,” I scrawl once, and crumple the paper. The language fails. It lays claims to the canted shape of desire.The dreams started in October. I am trapped in a hotel with a winding labyrinth of a space; a corridor might break into the sky without stars, an elevator opening into a field of wheat, not a cloud, or an elevator. She is always there, just out of reach type of way; a shadow out of a window, and a voice, somewhere down a corridor. At one point, a cat, a black stray that seemed to be unchanged in my likeness was about to meet me like a time traveler. Flicking its tail like a pendulum, I made eye contact, finding my girl's reflection on the solid blackness of its iris. “You are chasing a ghost, you know,” it said, though it had no working mouth. “The question is, isn't that the point of the story, for you to chase a ghost?"
By LUCCIAN LAYTH10 months ago in Chapters
Fatal Temptations . Content Warning.
Chapter One: The Arrival The engines hummed as two sleek cars sped down the deserted highway, their headlights cutting through the dimming evening light. Music blasted from the speakers, mixing with the wind that rushed through the open windows. The road stretched endlessly ahead, flanked by thick bushes on both sides. Inside the cars, seven young men, fresh graduates from the university, were in high spirits. This was a new beginning for them—one year in a small town, teaching at a local college as part of their government-assigned internship. They had no idea what lay ahead, but for now, all they could think about was the excitement of something different. In the first car, Elijah Brooks sat in the passenger seat, his fingers tapping against the dashboard in rhythm with the music. After a while, he pulled out his phone and checked the GPS. He frowned slightly. “Damn, this road is long,” he muttered. “How much farther?” Jesse Nolan, lounging in the back seat, leaned forward to glance at the screen. “Give it twenty minutes, man. We’re almost there.” Ryan Carter, the one behind the wheel, let out a chuckle. “Twenty minutes? More like two hours.” Laughter filled the car, blending with the music. In the second vehicle behind them, the rest of the group—Darren Cole, Marcus Reed, Travis Bennett, and Noah Hayes—were just as lively, throwing playful insults at each other while cruising down the long, empty road. As the sky darkened, the first signs of civilization appeared—a few scattered buildings, dimly lit streets, and a large sign that read: WELCOME TO WEST VALE The town was quiet, almost unnervingly so. Compared to the busy city life they had left behind, this place felt like a ghost town. But in the heart of it stood their destination—the only college in the area: West Vale Academy. The campus had an old but grand look. A long, iron-gated entrance led into a spacious compound, lined with well-manicured lawns and tall, historic buildings. It was the kind of school that had seen generations of students pass through its halls. Ryan pulled into the parking lot, followed closely by the second car. One by one, they stepped out, stretching their legs after the long drive. Despite the quiet surroundings, their presence didn’t go unnoticed. Students walking across campus turned their heads, whispering and giggling. It wasn’t every day that seven handsome, well-built young men arrived in town. Darren smirked. “Looks like we’re already famous.” “Let’s go meet the principal,” Ryan said, leading the way. They made their way to the administration building, where a middle-aged receptionist greeted them with a warm smile. “You must be the new interns. The principal is expecting you. Please, go right in.” Inside, Principal Raymond Calloway stood behind his desk, a tall, well-groomed man with silver hair and sharp, observant eyes. His office was filled with bookshelves, awards, and a large wooden desk stacked with paperwork. As they entered, he smiled broadly. “Ah, gentlemen! Welcome to West Vale Academy. We’ve been expecting you.” The seven young men exchanged nods, impressed by his warm demeanor. “Please, have a seat,” the principal said, gesturing to the chairs. “How was your journey?” Ryan leaned back slightly. “It was long but smooth, sir. The road felt like it would never end.” The principal chuckled. “Yes, I hear that a lot. But I’m glad you arrived safely.” He clasped his hands together. “West Vale Academy is honored to have you here. Your internship will officially begin next Monday, so you’ll have a few days to rest and get familiar with the town.” “That sounds great, sir,” Elijah said. “We appreciate it.” “There’s a staff quarters not too far from the school that has been prepared for you,” Principal Calloway continued. “It’s comfortable, and you’ll have everything you need. You should head there, settle in, and get some rest. Tomorrow, I’ll personally show you around the school and introduce you to the staff and students.” Darren grinned. “Sounds like a plan.” The principal smiled again, but this time, there was something unreadable in his expression. “For now, get some rest. We’ll meet again tomorrow. And gentlemen… welcome to West Vale. I’m sure you’ll have quite an interesting experience here.” The seven young men stood up, shaking hands with the principal before stepping out of the office. The warm evening air greeted them as they walked toward their cars. Darren stretched his arms. “Well, looks like we get a mini-vacation before work starts.” Marcus, always the quiet observer, glanced back at the principal’s office before sliding into the car. There was something about the way he spoke—polite, formal, but with an undertone that didn’t sit right. “Yeah…” Marcus murmured. “Let’s see what this town is really like.” The engines roared to life, and they drove off toward the staff quarters—unaware that their time in this quiet little town would be anything but ordinary. Chapter Two: First Impressions The morning sun filtered through the curtains, casting a golden glow across the room. The staff quarters were modest but comfortable, with just enough space for each of them to settle in. The air was filled with the crisp scent of fresh cologne as the seven young men prepared for their first official day at West Vale Academy. Ryan stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the collar of his fitted white shirt, ensuring it sat perfectly against his broad shoulders. Elijah buttoned up his navy-blue blazer, running a hand through his neatly trimmed hair. Darren, sitting at the edge of his bed, was tying the laces of his polished black shoes, his sharp trousers creaseless and pristine. “Damn,” Jesse said, spraying himself with an expensive cologne. “We’re really about to run this place.” Travis laughed, rolling up his sleeves slightly. “Man, we’re just here to teach, remember?” Marcus smirked. “Yeah, but no one said we can’t have a little fun while we’re at it.” They all chuckled, sharing a knowing look. They smelled good, looked good, and they knew it. After making final adjustments to their outfits, they grabbed their bags and stepped out into the fresh morning air. The sun was bright, the town still quiet, and their walk toward the school was filled with lighthearted conversation. When they arrived at the academy, the atmosphere had already shifted. Students were moving around, chatting in groups, and the entire campus buzzed with energy. As they entered the long hallway, they spotted Principal Calloway standing near the entrance, his usual welcoming smile in place. “Ah, gentlemen!” he greeted warmly, extending his hand to each of them. “Looking sharp this morning. I hope you had a restful night.” “Yes, sir,” Ryan replied as they all exchanged handshakes. “Good, good,” the principal said. “Come, let’s introduce you to the students.” He led them through the hallways, past rows of lockers and bustling students. As they walked, the seven young men couldn’t help but notice the girls in the school. They weren’t just students—they were mature, confident, and strikingly beautiful. Many of them had clearly made adjustments to their uniforms. Some wore skirts that had been tailored shorter, just enough to reveal smooth, toned legs. Others had tightened their blouses so that they hugged their bodies, emphasizing their curves. The way they moved, the way they whispered to one another as they passed, made it obvious—they had been expecting these new teachers, and they were making their presence known. Darren nudged Jesse. “Bro, tell me you’re seeing this.” Jesse grinned. “Oh, I see it, alright.” As they entered the first classroom, Principal Calloway gestured for them to stand at the front. The students, both male and female, sat up straighter, eyes locked onto the newcomers. “These are your new intern teachers,” the principal announced. “They’ll be with us for a year, and I expect you all to treat them with respect.” The students murmured amongst themselves, excitement rippling through the room. “Go ahead, introduce yourselves,” the principal encouraged. One by one, the guys stepped forward. Ryan was the first. “I’m Ryan Carter, and I’ll be handling business and economics.” Elijah followed. “Elijah Brooks. I’ll be teaching literature and creative writing.” Darren smirked. “Darren Cole. Physical education and health.” Jesse flashed a charming grin. “Jesse Nolan. Music and performing arts.” Marcus adjusted his wristwatch. “Marcus Reed. History and social sciences.” Travis gave a nod. “Travis Bennett. Mathematics.” Noah finished off. “Noah Hayes. Physics and chemistry.” The room erupted into murmurs again, especially from the female students, who exchanged glances and giggles. The principal seemed satisfied. “Well, gentlemen, welcome once again. I’m sure you’ll enjoy your time here.” The rest of the morning was spent moving from class to class, repeating introductions, shaking hands, and observing the students. Every hallway they walked through felt like a stage, with eyes following them at every turn. The girls weren’t shy—they made their interest known through lingering gazes, small smiles, and little gestures. By the time the day was over, the seven young men returned to their quarters feeling a mix of excitement and amusement. They gathered in the common area, collapsing onto the couches and stretching out their legs. “Okay, we need to talk about what just happened,” Darren said, laughing. Ryan shook his head. “Man, did you see the way those girls were looking at us?” Jesse smirked. “Bro, they were ready.” Elijah chuckled. “I mean, I knew we’d get attention, but damn… some of those uniforms were customized for the occasion.” Travis raised an eyebrow. “You mean the short skirts and tight tops?” Marcus, ever the observer, leaned back in his chair. “Exactly. And did you notice how they carried themselves? Confident, playful. Like they knew exactly what they were doing.” Noah nodded. “This school is going to be… interesting.” They all sat in silence for a moment, their minds racing with the possibilities. Darren finally grinned. “Fellas, this internship just got a whole lot better.” Laughter filled the room as they continued discussing the day, their excitement undeniable. They had only just arrived, but already, the energy of West Vale Academy had pulled them in. And something told them—this was only the beginning.
By adebayo omobolarinwa10 months ago in Chapters
