The sound of a heavy truck horn woke Amara from her thoughts.
"Madam, are you coming down or should I return you to your father's house?" the driver joked.
Amara smiled nervously.
Today was the beginning of a new chapter in her life. She was finally a university student!
After years of dreaming about wearing university clothes, making friends, attending lectures and living independently, the day had finally arrived.
She adjusted her handbag, picked up her travelling box and stepped into the university hostel.
"Welcome to campus life," she whispered to herself.
But if only she knew what was waiting for her.
Inside Room 12, she met three other girls.
The first was Sandra, a beautiful, outspoken girl who seemed to know everybody.
The second was Blessing, a quiet girl who barely spoke.
The third was Jennifer, who was busy applying makeup while talking on the phone.
"Hi, I'm Amara. I'm your new roommate," she said with a smile.
Sandra looked her up and down.
"Freshers everywhere! What's your department?"
"History and International Studies."
Sandra laughed.
"Ah! Welcome, future politician!"
Everybody laughed except Blessing, who simply smiled.
That evening, Amara decided to explore the campus.
She was walking towards the school gate when someone suddenly bumped into her.
Her books fell to the ground.
"Are you blind?" she asked angrily.
The young man bent down to pick up her books.
"I'm sorry, beautiful. I wasn't looking."
Amara collected her books without looking at him.
"Next time, open your eyes."
He smiled.
"What's your name?"
"Someone you should stop disturbing."
She walked away.
The young man laughed.
"Interesting girl."
He turned to his friend.
"Find out who she is."
Meanwhile, back in Room 12, Sandra was staring at Amara's phone.
A message had just appeared on the screen.
UNKNOWN NUMBER:
Tell your friend to be careful. Not everyone in that room is who they claim to be.
Sandra quickly dropped the phone.
Her face changed.
She looked towards the door.
"Who sent that message?" she whispered.
And just then, Amara walked in.
"Girls, something strange just happened..."
Nobody answered.
Because Sandra had already deleted the message.