Nightmares at Everglade Falls

2. Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Ophelia

I’m doing laundry in the orphanage when I hear my name being called over the intercom.

My heart skips a beat— I’ve never been summoned to the principal’s office before.

The matrons and teachers here are strict, but you learn to follow the rules when you’re an orphan relying on them for everything. I've aged out of the system, but they let me stay and help with the younger kids while I finish college.

I quickly finish folding the clothes and make my way to the office. I’m wearing a green sweater and a pair of washed-out jeans. They’re nothing fancy, but they’re all I have. At twenty years old, I should be out on my own by now, but since I couldn’t afford to pay fees, I’ve been working around the orphanage to earn my keep. This is the only way I can afford my evening community college classes.

As I step into the small room, I’m surprised to find another person there—a woman with white hair dressed in a black robe. She looks important, and I can’t help but feel a little intimidated.

Principal Theresa gestures for me to take a seat, and I do so nervously. She introduces the woman as Principal Celestia Silvermoon. It’s a strange name, but I keep that thought to myself and offer a polite smile.

Theresa explains that Celestia and I need to talk for a bit, and then she excuses herself, leaving me alone with this stranger.

I fidget nervously in my seat, unsure of what to say. “Um, hi,” I finally manage to stammer out. “I’m Ophelia James.”

“Hello, Ophelia,” Celestia says with a warm smile. “I’m Principal Celestia Silvermoon. It’s nice to meet you.”

I nod, feeling a little more at ease with her friendly demeanor. “Nice to meet you too, Principal Silvermoon.”

She chuckles softly. “Please, just call me Celestia.”

I smile gratefully, relieved to have one less formality to worry about. “Okay, Celestia.”

We sit in silence for a moment, and then she speaks again. “Ophelia, I wanted to talk to you about something important.”

I swallow nervously, wondering what she could possibly want to discuss with me. “Yes?”

“It’s about your future,” she says gently. “You see, I’ve been watching you, and I believe you have a lot of potential.”

I blink in surprise, never having thought of myself as someone with potential. “Really?”

“Yes, really,” she assures me with a smile. “And I think it’s time for you to spread your wings and explore your options outside of the orphanage.”

My heart skips a beat at her words. Could this be my chance to finally break free from the confines of the orphanage and make something of myself?

“But... how?” I ask, feeling a mixture of excitement and apprehension.

Celestia smiles warmly at me. “Ophelia, I run a school called Everglade Falls.”

I furrow my brow in confusion. “I’ve never heard of it,” I admit, feeling a bit embarrassed.

She chuckles softly. “That’s to be expected. Everglade Falls is a private college.”

I nod slowly, trying to process this information.

A private college? Me?

She leans forward, her eyes locking with mine. “Ophelia, I’d like to offer you the opportunity to enroll at Everglade Falls.”

My heart skips a beat at her words.

Me? Enroll at a private college?

It seems too good to be true.

“But... I could never afford to go there,” I stammer, feeling disappointed.

Celestia reaches out and gently tucks a stray strand of black hair behind my ear. “Don’t worry, Ophelia. I can help you secure a scholarship. But it’ll all depend on you keeping up your grades.”

I swallow nervously, feeling a surge of determination rising within me. “I’ll do whatever it takes,” I promise.

She smiles, her eyes twinkling with pride. “I know you will, Ophelia.”

I take a deep breath, gathering the courage to ask the question burning in my mind. “Um, Celestia, I'm studying economics in my second year of college. So, is Everglade Falls a business school?”

She shakes her head, a mysterious smile playing on her lips. “No, Ophelia. Everglade Falls is... different.”

I raise an eyebrow, intrigued by her cryptic answer. “Different, how?”

She leans back in her chair, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “I want to show you something, Ophelia. But you have to promise not to scream.”

I sit up straighter, feeling a shiver of excitement coursing through me. “Okay,” I say, my curiosity piqued.

Celestia rolls up the sleeves of her robes and whispers something in a language I don’t understand. The chair Principal Theresa was sitting on suddenly starts levitating off the ground.

I gasp in shock, my eyes widening in disbelief. “What... how...?”

Celestia chuckles at my reaction. “Everglade Falls isn’t just any college, Ophelia. It’s a school for the supernatural.”

Then I watch as the chair comes back to the floor.

This cannot be real.

I swallow the bile rising in my throat. “Supernaturals?”

“Yes, Ophelia. Witches, fairies, vampires. They all exist. I know because I am one of them. I'm telling you because you are, too. You are supernatural.”

No. No. No. Is this some kind of joke?

I’m pacing the room, trying to wrap my head around Celestia’s words.

Magic? Fairies, vampires, werewolves? It’s all too much to comprehend.

There is no way this is real, but then I remember the floating chair.

I need to sit.

I need to stand.

What the hell?

Celestia sits calmly, her presence reassuring amidst the chaos in my mind. “I know this is a lot to take in, Ophelia,” she says gently. “But please, let me explain.”

I stop and face her, “How... how is this possible?” I manage to stammer out.

She offers me a small, understanding smile. “It’s a lot to process, I know. But Everglade Falls is a special place, a school where supernaturals like you can learn to control their powers and live in harmony with one another.”

I shake my head in denial.

“You’ve got it all wrong,” I protest. “I’m just a girl.”

Celestia shakes her head, her expression firm. “No, Ophelia. You’re a witch.”

I recoil at her words, feeling a surge of fear and denial rising within me. “No, that can’t be,” I whisper, my voice trembling.

But Celestia remains steadfast. “I can prove it to you,” she says softly. “But I need you to trust me.”

Trust her? Can I do that?

I look down at my hands, red and raw from doing laundry. I could stay here, finish my classes, and continue working to keep up. Or... I could take a risk and embrace this opportunity for something more.

What have I got to lose anyway?

“Okay,” I finally whisper, my voice barely audible.

Celestia smiles, relief evident in her eyes. “Great. You can go pack up.”

“Now?” I ask, my heart pounding in my chest.

“Yes,” she replies, standing up. “Classes start tomorrow, so I want to enroll you as soon as possible.”

I nod, my knees feeling wobbly as I make my way out of the office.

What the hell did I just agree to?

But deep down, I know this could be my chance for something extraordinary.

And for the very first time, I’m willing to take that risk.

Everything I own is packed into my backpack, and I sit quietly beside Celestia as she drives. We’ve been on the road for over half an hour now, and my nerves are starting to get the best of me. I’m hungry, scared, and uncertain about what lies ahead.

I steal a glance at Celestia, wondering if I’ve made a mistake trusting her. I can’t shake the feeling of unease gnawing at me. I need answers, but I’m afraid of pushing her away and ending up back at the orphanage.

“Do you... do you know anything about my parents?” I ask tentatively, my voice barely above a whisper.

Celestia’s gaze flickers to me briefly before returning to the road. “No, Ophelia, I’m sorry. But I promise I’ll do everything I can to find out.”

I nod, feeling a mixture of disappointment and resignation. It’s a long shot, but maybe she’ll be able to uncover some information about my past.

As we turn left and drive into a forest, my heart races with uncertainty. I clutch my bag closer to me, feeling a pang of fear at the unknown. Celestia’s reassuring smile does little to calm my nerves.

“I’m not going to hurt you, Ophelia, I promise,” she says softly as if sensing my apprehension.

I swallow nervously, trying to quell the rising panic in my chest. I have no choice but to trust her—for now.

Soon, we arrive at huge metal gates adorned with a majestic emblem and the letters EFMC. My eyes widen in awe as the gates swing open, revealing a sprawling campus beyond.

“It’s beautiful,” I whisper, feeling a sense of wonder wash over me.

Celestia nods, a hint of pride in her voice. “Welcome to Everglade Falls Magic School, Ophelia.”

As we drive further into the campus, I can’t help but feel overwhelmed by the sight of students milling about in their uniforms. Blazers of different colors, navy blue skirts for the girls, and trousers for the boys—all looking expensive and pristine.

I glance down at my worn-out Converse sneakers, feeling a pang of self-consciousness.

I’ll definitely stick out like a sore thumb here.

Fear grips me once again as we stop, and I realize this is it. This is where my new life begins, whether I’m ready for it or not. And as Celestia opens the car door and gestures for me to follow her, I take a deep breath and steel myself for whatever lies ahead.

Celestia and I walk towards the administrative offices.

This is all so surreal—me, a mere orphan, about to embark on a journey into a world of magic and mystery.

Celestia explains that I’ll be shown around by my roommate today, with the official school tour scheduled for tomorrow by the head boy.

We’re greeted by a young woman at the entrance, her blonde hair shining in the light. Celestia introduces her as Goldilocks Blume, the school receptionist and a fairy. Everyone calls her Miss Blume.

“Nice to meet you, Ophelia,” Miss Blume says with a smile.

We step into Celestia’s office, and I take a seat, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. Celestia begins to explain about the school’s houses and the different blazers each house wears.

“The school has houses,” she says, gesturing to the uniform details on a poster. “You’ll be in House Evergreen, so you’ll have a royal purple blazer.”

I nod, taking in the information. The idea of belonging to a house feels both daunting and exciting.

“So, each house represents a different supernatural group?” I ask, trying to wrap my head around it all.

“Exactly,” Celestia confirms. “It’s a way for students to connect with others who share similar abilities and experiences.”

I nod, feeling a sense of belonging already settling in. “And what about classes? What will I be learning?”

Celestia smiles, pleased by my curiosity. “You’ll have a mix of magical and regular subjects. It’s important to have a well-rounded education, after all. In due time, all your electives will be discussed with you.”

I feel a surge of excitement at the thought of learning magic. It’s something I’ve only dreamed of until now. I cannot believe that yesterday, my biggest worry was cleaning the orphanage dorms.

Now this?

“Is there anything else I should know?” I ask, eager to learn more about my new home.

Celestia shakes her head. “Just remember, Ophelia, this is a place where you can truly be yourself. Embrace who you are, and you’ll find your place here. And in due time, all your questions will be answered.”

I nod.

“Good. My door is always open for you, Ophelia. I think I hear Aurora out there. You can go see her. Your uniforms are all in the room. She will explain all the school rules to you, and then you can have dinner. Tomorrow is a very busy day for you.”

“Okay, Celestia,” I reply.

She smiles and then gives me a wink. “That was out there, in here, I am Principal Silvermoon to you. You are officially one of my students now.”

I feel my cheeks warm up. “Of course, Principal Silvermoon.”

“Good. And welcome to Everglade, Miss James,” she replies, effectively dismissing me. I step out of her office to find another girl talking to Miss Blume.

Aurora Dewdrop. That’s the name of the petite girl who’s going to be my roommate here at Everglade Falls Magic School. She’s wearing a green blazer and looks like something out of a fairy tale with her shimmering wings and serene presence.

“I’m so excited to meet you, Ophelia!” Aurora says, her voice soft and melodic.

I raise an eyebrow, surprised. “Nice to meet you too, but, uhm, how do you know my name?”

Aurora shrugs. “Miss Blume told me. She said you’re going to be my new roommate. She also told me that you are a witch. I want to know everything, like everything. Can you cast spells?”

I can’t help but chuckle at her enthusiasm. “Don’t get your hopes up,” I reply, trying to keep my tone light. “I have no magic at all.”

But Aurora doesn’t seem deterred. Instead, she links her arm with mine, and I find myself focusing on her wings. They’re mesmerizing, with delicate patterns that shimmer in the light, displaying iridescent hues of blues and purples that shift as she moves. It’s then I remember the tales of fairies, their wings both beautiful and enchanting.

“Sorry. Do they bother you?” she asks, and I swear I feel self-consciousness slip from her.

“Not at all. I am just intrigued.”

“I’m still learning how to put them away properly,” Aurora admits with a shy smile. “But you can touch them if you want.”

“Really? You are sure you don’t mind?”

“Not at all, Ophelia.”

I hesitate for a moment before reaching out to gently brush my fingers against her wings. They’re soft and feathery, with a slight, magical warmth, and I can’t help but smile at the sensation.

“They tickle,” Aurora giggles, her laughter like music to my ears. Her wings flutter slightly, causing tiny sparks of light to dance around us.

I pull my hand away and smile at her. “They’re beautiful.”

“Thank you!”

She waves to Miss Blume before leading me away, her chatty demeanor putting me at ease. As we walk, she tells me about our shared bathroom and classes, promising that she’s neat and organized.

“And I have a feeling, Ophelia, that you and I are going to be best friends,” Aurora says with a grin.

I nod, feeling a sense of warmth and acceptance wash over me.

Maybe this won’t be so bad after all.

But then I remember the conversation with Celestia about how I’m supposedly a witch. I shake my head, still feeling uncertain.

“I’m still convinced I’m human,” I confess to Aurora.

“So, like no magic at all?”

I nod.

She shakes her head, her expression unwavering. “The principal is never wrong, Ophelia. You’ll see.”

I hope she is right. I have only been here for less than one hour, but I already know that I want to stay as long as possible.