[OLD] The Witch's Lock (Prelude)

Story

Marissa Locke has now gone to college seeking her independence from her family. In hopes of becoming a photographer, she attends a University in another state (the state currently unknown). Marissa, alone, finds herself in not her dream school, but the second one at best. While at this school, she overhears some talk about missing kids. Rumors, she thinks and carries on her way.

Until she notices the billboard near campus. Curious, she heads over to find an old sheet of paper covered by other flyers and pamphlets over the years. She gently moves the other papers revealing the one from underneath. “MISSING BOY”, Marissa stares at the paper, most of the information including the boy’s name has been smudged, torn, or drawn over with marker that it is nearly impossible to transcribe anything from it. With sadness in her eyes, she can only feel sympathy for the missing child and the possibility that his disappearance is still apparent to this day. With her eyes beginning to water, she folds the old flyer into her handbag and walks to her dorm.

At her dorm, she prepares for bed. Her roommate, who has yet to appear, leaves the room quiet. Marissa begins to unpack her items from home and pulls out the flyer from her bag. She looks at it, with a small frown on her face, asking herself “what happened to you?” and placing the remaining piece of the photo in her notebook. 

***

Marissa awakes the next day, practically dragging herself out of bed. She has a headache and doesn’t understand why. She looks in the mirror and notices something in the corner of her eye. A small, faint figure of a child, looking at her from behind. Marissa stares at the figure from the mirror, and as abruptly as the figure appeared, it disappeared without a trace. Marissa jolts herself around, hands pressed on the bathroom counter, eyes glaring and darting throughout the room. “Who was that? Wha-t was that?”

Her first class, Psychology 101. Her professor drones about what will be discussed in the class and what supplies and textbooks they will need to provide for the class. Marissa sitting near the back of the class ponders in silence about what happened just this morning. Thinking to herself, “was that just a part of my dream? No-no, I was awake, for sure. But what was that child doing in my room? Where did they come from?” Her eyes began to droop and the class came to an end.

Her next class, Art 101. Marissa enters a quiet and half-filled class. She decides to sit at the back again when a bold and flashy girl waltzes into the classroom. She looks around the room, her eyes covered with a pair of large sunglasses lands on one of the seats next to Marissa. Her neutral smile begins to grin. She plops herself next to Marissa and introduces herself.

“Hiya! I’m Hayden, you gotta name?”

“Ah, yes, Marissa, nice to meet you.” shakes hand.

“So Marissa, I betcha you’re new here, huh?”

“How’d you figure?”

“Well, you don’t give off that city girl vibe to me, you’re complacent and quiet, unlike these other mindless hipster wannabes.”

“Ah, I see.” Marissa hangs her head low.

“No no! It was meant as a compliment!” Hayden tries to appease Marissa, it seems to work, as she brings her head back up to face Hayden.

“I’m---well, I’m from out of state,” Marissa interjects.

“OH! That makes sense! Might I ask where you’re from then?” Hayden’s eyes seemingly glaring into Marissa’s soul, she gulps and as she is ready to tell Hayden, their professor walks in and beings class.

The lecture ends, Marissa picks up her notebook and starts heading towards the door. Hayden follows her soon after.

“Hey, where you goin’ in such a hurry?” Hayden beckons Marissa to follow her. “Sure you don’t want the grand tour of the campus?”

Marissa glances at Hayden looks her up and down, and lowers her guard a little.

“You’re not going to get me into trouble, are you?”

Hayden is taken aback, “Well, it’s best not to assume the worst, I just thought you could use a friend!” Hayden’s smile increases. “Don’t worry, I’m not gonna traffic you or anything, just follow me, trust me, it’ll be fun!”

Hayden grabs Marissa’s hand and starts walking. Marissa worried at first, begins to feel more comfortable after Hayden shows her all the different buildings and what they are.

After a while, they decide to have some lunch at a local cafe near the campus.

“I asked you before, but which state did you come from, Marissa?” Hayden asks while still chewing her sandwich.

“I’m from California,” Marissa replies.

“CALIFORNIA!? You came to here of all places from California?! Why would you wanna leave such a cool state?” Hayden shouts!

***