In a dormitory nestled on the campus of Harmon University, I found myself back a week early during winter break for Panhellenic recruitment. The week was dedicated to interviewing with and visiting different sororities, an exciting prospect for many students. However, little did I know that this week would soon take a dark turn, plunging me into a chilling and mysterious ordeal.
The campus, usually bustling with students, was eerily quiet as the only occupants were other girls involved in recruitment and a handful of front desk staff. The absence of the usual cleaning crew, dining hall staff, and even our resident advisor created a peculiar solitude. My roommate, uninterested in rushing, was also absent, leaving me alone in our room. Since most of the floor was populated by exchange students from various parts of the world, mainly China, my entire floor was deserted. I stood as the sole inhabitant of the floor and one of the few in the entire Tower.
To access the dorms during this week, a complicated key-swiping process was in place. Each time one wanted to ascend, a visit to the front desk was mandatory for key reactivation. Swipes were necessary at various checkpoints, including unlocking the hallway doors, accessing the elevators, and entering the dormitory itself. Without a coded key, entry into a specific Tower or room was impossible, or so I thought.
One evening, settled into my room, I sat on my futon with headphones in, engrossed in YouTube videos. The room, a long rectangle with a window at one end and the door at the other, concealed me from view due to my lofted bed and a hanging blanket. Suddenly, the distinct sound of a key card entering and leaving the door echoed in the room. Panic set in as I heard the door swing open, knocking a Christmas ornament off its hook.
Frozen with fear, I hoped the intruder would realize the mistake and retreat. Instead, I heard two advancing steps and a suitcase being bumped. Barely breathing, I reached for my phone, causing my futon to squeak loudly. In an instant, the footsteps retreated, the door closed, and I remained paralyzed for what felt like an eternity.
It took me an hour to gather the courage to turn around. On the floor, a broken ornament lay in my suitcase. Desperate for reassurance, I messaged my roommate and RA, only to learn they were still away. The RA confirmed that nobody should have access to my room. The explanation offered was that it might be a spring admission student with the wrong key. However, that explanation did little to ease my growing unease.
As the night approached, fear lingered, and sleep became elusive. Reddit browsing became a distraction, and a makeshift alarm, a piece of string taped over the door, became my feeble attempt at security. At 3:00 a.m., the ominous sound of footsteps and a key card in the door repeated. This time, the silhouette in the doorway lingered, filling the space.
Frozen again, I feared malice, and this time, I wasn't willing to let them have the satisfaction of catching me unaware. Playing a queued-up video, I watched as the figure retreated as soon as the ad began. The string, my makeshift alarm, was broken, confirming the intrusion.
Reporting the incidents to the RA, roommate, and front desk the next morning yielded the same response: no registered key should have granted access. Paralyzed by fear, I spent the remaining nights with a suitcase and chair barricading the door. Strangely, the mysterious intrusions ceased, but the memory of that chilling week haunted me, making every solitary night in that 9x2 room a terror-inducing experience.
In the following weeks, I became hyperaware of my surroundings, constantly on high alert. Every creak of the floorboards, every distant noise, sent shivers down my spine. The once-familiar dormitory now felt like a labyrinth of secrets, harboring unknown dangers.
Despite my efforts to find answers and reassurance, the incident remained a baffling mystery. The campus authorities conducted investigations, but no evidence or leads were uncovered. It seemed as though the intruder had vanished into thin air, leaving only fear and uncertainty in their wake.
Over time, my fear began to subside, and life gradually returned to normal. However, the memory of those unsettling nights in the dormitory remained etched in my mind. It served as a constant reminder of the vulnerability we can experience even in seemingly safe and secure environments.
As I continued my studies at Harmon University, I grew stronger and more resilient. I sought solace in the company of friends and immersed myself in campus activities, determined not to let fear dictate my college experience. Yet, deep down, a part of me always wondered about the true identity and motives of the mysterious intruder.
To this day, whenever I pass by the dormitory where the unsettling events occurred, a shiver runs down my spine. It serves as a reminder of the fragilityof our sense of security and the mysteries that can lurk in the most familiar of places. It reminds me that sometimes, despite our best efforts, we may never truly uncover the truth behind certain events.
But perhaps there is a silver lining to be found in this unnerving experience. It taught me the importance of vigilance and preparedness, of trusting my instincts and taking necessary precautions. It also made me appreciate the value of community and support. The incident brought me closer to my fellow residents, as we shared our fears and looked out for one another.
In the years that followed, I became an advocate for campus safety, working with university authorities to improve security measures and raise awareness about personal safety. I joined student organizations dedicated to promoting a safe and inclusive environment for all. Through these efforts, I hoped to prevent others from experiencing the same sense of vulnerability and fear that I had endured.
While the memory of those chilling nights may never fully fade away, I refuse to let it define me. I choose to focus on the lessons learned, the resilience gained, and the strength that emerged from that challenging period in my life. And as I continue my journey, I carry with me the reminder that even in the face of uncertainty, we have the power to overcome and grow stronger.