The Dormitory's Haunting Echoes

The old dormitory, known to the students as the "Echoing Hall," had always been a place of whispered secrets and eerie tales. The legend spoke of a tragic love story that had unfolded within its walls, one that ended in a heart-wrenching tragedy. Over the years, the dormitory had gained a reputation for being haunted, but it was a story that most students preferred to ignore.

This year, a new batch of students arrived at the university, unaware of the dormitory's ominous past. Among them was Li Wei, a curious and somewhat superstitious freshman. He had heard the rumors but dismissed them as mere campus folklore. His roommate, Zhang Feng, was equally skeptical, but when the first signs of the haunting began, even he couldn't deny the truth.

The first incident occurred during a late-night study session. Li Wei noticed that the lights flickered erratically, and the room seemed to grow colder by the minute. When they checked the windows, they found them securely fastened. The temperature outside was mild, but the room felt like a frigid maw. That night, they heard faint whispers, barely audible, but unmistakably there.

The whispers grew louder over the next few days, and the students began to feel the weight of the dormitory's past. Li Wei and Zhang Feng decided to investigate, hoping to uncover the source of the disturbances. They began by interviewing the older students, who shared stories of strange occurrences, including a ghostly apparition seen in the old courtyard.

One evening, as they were gathering information, they stumbled upon an old, tattered journal in the dormitory's attic. The journal belonged to a former student named Liu Mei, who had lived in the dormitory in the 1940s. The entries were filled with heartache and longing, detailing her love for a fellow student, Chen Jun. The two had been forbidden from seeing each other due to their different social classes, and their love had ended in tragedy.

According to the journal, Liu Mei had attempted to reunite with Chen Jun on the night of their graduation. She had slipped into the dormitory through a hidden passage, only to find him dead, having committed suicide out of despair. Liu Mei had died of a broken heart shortly after, her spirit bound to the dormitory.

Li Wei and Zhang Feng realized that the whispers and cold drafts were the spirit of Liu Mei, seeking closure for her unrequited love. They decided to confront the spirit, hoping to bring her peace and put an end to the haunting.

One stormy night, the two students, along with a few others who had been affected by the haunting, gathered in the old courtyard. They lit candles and placed Liu Mei's journal on the ground. Li Wei began to read the journal aloud, hoping to reach her spirit.

As the words echoed through the night, the temperature dropped sharply, and a chilling wind swept through the courtyard. Suddenly, a figure appeared, shrouded in mist and ethereal light. It was Liu Mei, her eyes filled with sorrow and longing.

"Who are you?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"We are students of this dormitory," Li Wei replied, his voice trembling. "We have read your journal and understand your pain. We are here to help you find peace."

Liu Mei's eyes softened, and she nodded. "I have been waiting for someone to understand. I want to let go of my past and move on."

The students encouraged Liu Mei to share her story, and she did, her voice growing stronger as she spoke. They listened intently, their hearts heavy with empathy. When she finished, the spirit of Liu Mei seemed to gather her strength, and she began to fade.

"Thank you," she whispered, her voice growing fainter. "I am at peace now."

With a final, heart-wrenching sigh, Liu Mei disappeared, leaving the students standing in the courtyard, their breaths visible in the cold night air. The whispers stopped, and the room began to warm up. The haunting was over.

The students shared their experience with the rest of the dormitory, and the legend of the Echoing Hall was finally put to rest. The dormitory returned to its former state, a place of learning and community, free from the shadow of its ghostly legacy.