As we entered Father Michael's office, I could feel a sense of relief wash over me. I was finally going to get some answers, finally going to get to the bottom of the strange occurrence in my room. But as I began to explain what had happened, Father Michael's expression changed from concern to amusement.
"Gabriel, Gabriel, my young friend," he said, his voice dripping with condescension. "You're letting your imagination get the better of you. That's all."
I felt a surge of frustration, my words getting stuck in my throat. "But Father Michael, I saw it! I saw the writing on the wall, in blood! It said, 'Good to have you back Gabriel, I have been waiting for years.'"
Father Michael chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Ah, Gabriel, you're just spooked by the story I told you about the abandoned building in the woods. That's all. Your mind is playing tricks on you."
I shook my head, feeling a sense of desperation creeping in. "No, Father Michael, that's not it. I know what I saw. And it was real."
Father Michael's expression turned patronizing, his voice taking on a soothing tone. "Gabriel, my boy, you're new here. You're still adjusting. It's natural to feel a little scared, a little overwhelmed. But trust me, there's nothing to be afraid of. That writing on the wall? Just a prank, that's all. Probably one of the other boys in the dormitory playing a trick on you."
I felt a surge of anger, my face growing hot with frustration. "It was not a prank, Father Michael! I know what I saw. And it was not just a harmless message. It was sinister, it was threatening."
Father Michael's expression turned stern, his voice taking on a scolding tone. "Gabriel, enough. You're letting your imagination run wild. I'm telling you, there's nothing to be afraid of. Now, let's move on from this and focus on your studies, shall we?"
I felt a sense of defeat wash over me, my shoulders slumping in frustration. I knew that I was not going to get any further with Father Michael. He had made up his mind, and that was that. But I knew what I saw, and I knew that I was not going to let it go. I was going to get to the bottom of this, no matter what it took.
I left Father Michael's office, feeling frustrated and disappointed. I couldn't understand why he wouldn't take my concerns seriously. I knew what I saw, and I knew it was real.
As I walked back to my room, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. I felt like I was being watched, and the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end.
I tried to push the feeling aside and focus on my studies, but I couldn't concentrate. My mind kept wandering back to the strange message on my wall and the eerie feeling that had settled over me.
Just as I was starting to feel like I was going crazy, I heard a faint whisper in my ear. "I'm waiting for you, Gabriel."
I spun around, but there was no one there. The whisper seemed to come from all around me, echoing off the walls.
I knew then that I wasn't imagining things. Something strange was going on, and I was determined to get to the bottom of it.
I decided to do some digging on my own, to see if I could uncover any clues that might explain what was happening. I started by asking around, talking to the other boys in the dormitory and seeing if they had noticed anything strange.
But no one seemed to know anything, and I was starting to feel like I was on my own in this.
Just as I was about to give up, I received a mysterious note that read: "Meet me in the abandoned building at midnight. Come alone."
I knew it was a risk, but I had to know what was going on. I decided to go to the meeting, hoping that I would finally get some answers.
As I approached the abandoned building, I could feel my heart pounding in my chest. I was scared, but I was also determined to get to the bottom of this.
I entered the building, my flashlight casting eerie shadows on the walls. And then, I saw it. A figure, standing in the shadows, waiting for me.
As I approached the abandoned building, my heart raced with anticipation and fear. I had been instructed to come alone, and I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being watched. I pushed open the creaky door and stepped inside, my flashlight casting eerie shadows on the walls.
Just as I was about to call out to see if anyone was there, I heard a voice behind me. "What are you doing out here in the night, Gabriel?" Brother John's voice was stern and commanding, and I felt a surge of fear as I turned to face him.
"I...I was just out for a walk," I stuttered, trying to come up with a plausible excuse.
But Brother John was not fooled. "At midnight? Alone? You know you're not supposed to be out here after dark," he scolded, his flashlight shining directly into my eyes.
I felt a wave of embarrassment and shame wash over me as I realized I had been caught. I knew I shouldn't have come here, but my curiosity had gotten the better of me.
"Come on, Gabriel," Brother John said, his voice firm but not unkind. "You need to get back to your room. It's not safe out here."
I knew he was right, but I couldn't help feeling a pang of disappointment. I had been so sure that I was finally going to get some answers, finally going to uncover the truth behind the strange occurrences in my room.
But Brother John was insistent, and I knew I had no choice but to follow him back to my room. As we walked, I couldn't help but glance over my shoulder, wondering if the figure I had seen was still there, watching me.
But there was no one in sight, and I was left with only my imagination to fill in the blanks.
When we reached my room, Brother John gave me a stern warning to stay inside and not venture out again after dark. I nodded, feeling a mixture of relief and frustration.
As I lay in bed, I couldn't shake the feeling that I had missed something important. I had been so close to uncovering the truth, and now it seemed like it was farther away than ever.
But I was determined to keep searching, to keep pushing until I finally got the answers I was looking for. Little did I know, the truth was closer than I thought, and it would change everything I thought I knew about my new home.