Secret Room
...nous image of prison cells flashed across. The uncanny feeling was so overwhelming that I gave a shudder. ‘I have waited long for you, my friend.’ I spun around in surprise, not anticipating any company. The girl’s age, I suspected, was little more than sixteen. Her porcelain face and lithe body were so endearing that I was immediately drawn to her. ‘Would you like to know more about this place?’ she asked. Wanting to please and unable to contain my curiosity, I nodded eagerly. This, was going to become the strangest occurrence I have ever experienced… ‘Carmen was once a model student here a decade ago,’ she started softly. ‘She had nearly everything—excellent results, charming character and a wide social circle. Her intense fervour towards dancing was unequalled and this, once a dance studio, was her favourite place to practise. ‘However, because dancing was considered indecent at that time, her family was strongly against her desire to dance. And so, they took matters into their own hands. I blinked astonishingly at the incredible coincidence. The girl seemed to be able to read my mind for she continued, ‘Yes, just like what happened this morning to you. Her family discontinued her dance lessons, destroyed all her dance notes and disallowed any connection to be made with her dance companions,’ she smiled wearily at me. ‘I think you would be able to feel for her much aptly than anyone else.’ I kept silent. Without warning, her features started to contort with hatred. It was so unprepossessing that I turned my face away. This time, her voice sounded ethereal as she resumed her story. ‘That day, her world came crashing down on her. Unable to take the pressure, she decided to end her life. ‘Her body was found the next morning at this very room with the penknife still clutched in her hand. After the funeral, the school decided to hold lessons here as usual. However, strange occurrences began to start. ‘Eerie whispers from nowhere were heard and some would even break a limb for no reason. Nobody dared to touch the room a...