The Mysteries of University House

A while ago, my best friend had to stay at University House (the ANU "hotel" for visiting scholars) for a few nights. I accompanied her to check in and settle in. As I walked home, I typed this into facebook messenger as a text for her. I think I will relay it here - it's not very well-written but I was typing this on my phone while walking, as I said. I altered no details in the story.

The Mysteries of University House

Alessandra and Laura climbed tentatively up the stairs of University House, hauling bags of supplies. The stairs seems to stretch into infinity, however, they eventually reached the gothicly-numbered door: 4018. Laura swung the door open confidently, having boarded at the University House with her mother many times before. 

The urgency of their arrival at the House, however, was unmatched by past experience, for they were seeking refuge from Laura's psychomanic house-companion. This temporary abode's door entered into its sparse, skinny-furnished room. As the room was only yellow-lit by a dim overhead lamp, laura sought the desk lamp and turned it on. They were suddenly blinded by an almighty flash of white light. "No, no, that won't do!" Laura exclaimed, and hastily switched the lamp back off, plunging them back into the now-relieving dimness. 

What a fright! Nevertheless, they were relatively unperturbed. Alessandra sat on the slim couch and watched her best friend unpack. Food, tea, many changes of clothes both smart and casual: she was thoroughly prepared! "How delightful - an ironing board!" 

Suddenly, a thin knocking in the wooden door interrupted their conversation. Laura stood up and opened it tentatively. 

"Yes?" She inquired. 

In front of her was a short man, young and wizened at the same time, dressed smartly in the uniform of the University House. 

"I've come to check your air conditioning" he said, haltingly, for his English was lacking in proficiency. 

"Why must you? It seems perfectly functional." She replied politely, for she had been warned many a time by her parents about the dangers of strangers, regardless of their apparent authority. 

"I must" was his only reply. 

He stepped in, grabbed the air-conditioning remote, turned the heating on, and promptly turned to leave. 

"Remember" he said, turning back to face the bewildered Laura, "you must always keep the heating on". 

With that, he was gone. Laura turned back to face Alessandra. "Well then, I guess we must!". 

It was getting late, and soon there would be no contrast between the colour of the sky and the shadowy tree branches that scratched against the window behind her. 

"I should leave, Laura, for I have much study to do - but oh, I don't want to leave you in this eery room!" 

"Don't worry!" Quipped her friend, "I find the place to be extremely pleasing!" 

This comforted Alessandra somewhat, and she bade Laura goodbye, winding down the cold steps. As she navigated her way through the icy air to the reception hall, the leafy bushes loudly shook and bristled by her feet, almost as if there were sinister creatures within them. Alessandra knew that all was not well in the University House. Still, she paced on, needing to get home, take her supper, and resume her studies. 

She reached the warm reception hall, and passed the lady at the desk with the white, softly-crinkled face with heavily-ringed eyes more reminiscent of girls Alessandra's age. She smiled, but the lady, who had been so helpful in letting Laura board without her mother's cheque, did not smile back. 

"Oh well", Alessandra thought, stepping out into the black air of the sunsetted road back to her dormitory, "Laura's mother will be here soon."