The Haunted Dormitory: The Roommate's Ghostly Presence's Past

The rain was relentless as the new student, Liu Mei, stepped off the bus and onto the campus. Her heart raced with a mix of excitement and trepidation. She had chosen to attend the prestigious and historic University of Lingnan, not for its academic prestige, but for the rumored haunted dormitory, Room 403. The story of the dormitory was legendary—students spoke of ghostly apparitions, strange noises, and an eerie presence that no one could quite explain.

Mei's friends had warned her, but she had always been drawn to the unknown. As she navigated the labyrinthine corridors, her footsteps echoed against the cold stone walls. She finally reached the dormitory, and her breath caught in her throat. The door to Room 403 stood slightly ajar, and Mei hesitated for a moment before pushing it open.

The room was modest, with four beds and a small desk. A sense of unease settled over her as she took in her surroundings. She quickly chose a bed and began to unpack, but the unease only grew. She heard faint whispers, and the air seemed to thicken around her. Mei shook off the feeling and decided to ignore it, focusing instead on settling in.

That night, as she lay in bed, the whispers grew louder. Mei tried to ignore them, but they became more insistent, almost like a conversation. "Who's there?" she called out, her voice trembling.

A chilling silence followed, then a voice, clear and haunting, responded, "I'm your roommate, but you won't remember me."

Mei sat up in bed, her heart pounding. She had never seen anyone in the room, but the voice was unmistakable. She decided to confront the mystery head-on. The next morning, she began to ask around about Room 403 and its rumored ghost.

The students she spoke to were hesitant to talk, but she pressed on. One student, a senior named Zhou Li, finally revealed the truth. "Your roommate was a girl named Feng Yumei," he said, his voice tinged with reverence. "She was a brilliant student, but she mysteriously vanished during her sophomore year. Some say she was seen wandering the halls, but she never returned to the dormitory."

Mei's curiosity was piqued, but she couldn't shake the feeling that Yumei was somehow reaching out to her. She decided to visit the university library, hoping to find more information about her roommate.

In the library, Mei found an old yearbook. There, she saw a picture of Feng Yumei standing confidently with her peers. She looked strikingly similar to Mei, with the same piercing eyes and determined smile. Mei's heart raced as she realized that something was connecting her to Yumei.

As she delved deeper into her research, Mei discovered that Yumei had been investigating a series of strange occurrences on campus. She had been trying to uncover the truth behind a series of disappearances that had plagued the university for years. Mei's own arrival seemed to be a sign that Yumei's investigation had not been in vain.

One evening, as Mei was reviewing her notes in the library, she heard a faint whisper again. This time, it was louder and clearer. "Mei, help me," the voice called out.

Mei's heart skipped a beat. "Who are you?" she asked, her voice trembling.

"I am Feng Yumei," the voice replied. "I need your help. I've been trapped in this place for years, unable to move on."

Mei's mind raced. She knew she had to help Yumei, but she couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. She decided to confide in Zhou Li, hoping he might have some insight.

Zhou Li listened intently, his eyes wide with concern. "I've heard rumors that Room 403 is a portal to another dimension," he said. "Yumei might have opened it unintentionally."

Mei's heart sank. She had to find a way to close the portal and free Yumei. She spent the next few days researching ancient texts and seeking out anyone who might have knowledge about the portal.

One night, as Mei was on the brink of despair, she had a revelation. She remembered a passage from an old book she had found in the library about a ritual to close a portal. The ritual required a blood sacrifice, something Mei was reluctant to consider.

However, as the night wore on, Mei realized that she had to do whatever it took to help Yumei. She drew a deep breath, took a knife from her pocket, and cut her finger. The blood dripped onto a small stone on her desk.

As the blood touched the stone, the room began to shake. The whispers grew louder, and Mei felt a strange pull, as if she was being drawn into the portal. She knew she had to follow, or she would never see Yumei again.

With a final look at the room, Mei stepped through the portal. She found herself in a strange, otherworldly place, filled with shadows and whispers. She saw Yumei, her face twisted in terror, trapped in an endless loop of the same events.

Mei rushed to her, and with all her strength, she pushed Yumei through the portal. The world around them blurred, and they were pulled back into the library, safe and sound.

Yumei's body lay on the ground, her eyes fluttering open. She looked up at Mei, her face filled with relief. "Thank you," she whispered before collapsing into Mei's arms.

Mei held Yumei close, feeling a sense of peace. She knew that Yumei's spirit had finally been set free. As she left the library, she couldn't shake the feeling that she had been chosen for this moment, that she had been brought to the university for a reason.

She returned to Room 403, where she found a small, ornate box on her desk. Inside, she found a letter from Yumei. It read:

"Dear Mei,

I have been with you from the start. You are the key to closing the portal, and you have done it. I am forever grateful. May you find the strength and courage to face whatever challenges life throws at you.

With all my love,

Yumei"

Mei smiled, feeling a sense of closure. She had faced the unknown, and she had triumphed. She had not only freed Yumei's spirit but had also uncovered the truth behind the haunted dormitory.

From that day on, Room 403 was no longer haunted. It had become a place of peace, a sanctuary for those who dared to seek the truth. And Mei, with the knowledge she had gained, knew that she would never be the same.