"Are you sure about this, Aron? Not many people stay over Christmas break." Langley is looking at me with a slightly confused and slightly worried expression.

"I'll be fine. Besides I'm only staying here two out of the three weeks… as if my mom would let me stay here during Christmas." I send Langley a reassuring smile. He frowns, still unsure about leaving me alone on this campus for two weeks… well, not totally alone. There's still security, and a few teachers and kids who stay. My parents wouldn't let me stay unless there was security, so I'll be fine!

"I'm serious, it's all good!" I insist. I don't think he's totally convinced, but after another moment or two of him eyeing me suspiciously, the boy sighs. He shakes his head but says his goodbyes as he grabs the last of his luggage and heads off for the airport with most of the other students.

Christmas is finally here. It's cold outside. Everything is covered with snowy, white crystals. The halls and walkways are decorated with greens and reds. There are snowmen and Santas and elves in the windows. The trees are covered in ornaments made by the students and the largest Christmas tree I have ever seen sits in the courtyard. It's more beautiful than the tree my family puts up during Christmas. I love it.

And to think I have this all basically to myself.

There is a three-week Christmas break where mostly everyone returns home to see their families. Originally I, too, had planned on heading home but… I have been locked up in that castle for so long that I feel that once I go in, I won't be coming out.

My parents weren't too happy when I told them I wouldn't be coming home until Christmas Eve, leaving us only a week of Christmas break. It took some convincing and a lot of begging, but they got over it, understanding that I wanted some space. Mother claimed by spring break I would probably be like all the other kids who wanted to run home the moment they got a chance. I didn't tell her that I doubted that, but simply laughed and agreed.

By the second day of break mostly everyone is gone. Security has lightened up and almost none of the students or teachers are left. I think I counted five other kids during breakfast this morning in Dorm A. Let’s say there are as many as that in the other dorms. That would mean there are only twenty kids on campus. Thinking of it being so dead, so quiet, is actually relaxing in an odd way.

It's so quiet it's unreal. No one is watching me, analyzing my every move. I feel this sense of freedom, like I could go running through the snow while screaming at the top of my lungs. I won’t, but it's that kind of feeling. It's peaceful and calming. This was a good choice. I think I will be fine being alone for two weeks.

I decide to investigate campus some more. Although I've been here half a year I still haven't seen everything. Usually once Langley and I are finished with class we head back to the dorms or hang out with our friends on the courts or in the rec area. There are buildings I haven't seen. Though I'm sure most of them are probably full of classrooms. But whatever, an adventure is an adventure.

As I expected, most of the buildings are offices or classrooms. Some are even closed off, probably to save on electric and heating costs considering there is no one inside. It was still nice to walk around, even with the cold nipping at my nose. The scenery is nice, with trees covered in white, shining crystals that sparkle in the sunlight I bury my face deeper into my scarf. Although my cheeks hurt from how cold they are, I am still not willing to go inside.

I don't like cold, but I love winter. It's a time of year when everything is dead, and yet it looks more beautiful than ever. Things have this almost healing glow that makes you stop, stare, and admire the simplicity of nature and how beauty can be such a small thing.

It isn't until I can no longer feel the tips of my fingers, even with gloves on, that I finally force myself indoors. I make my way to the library for a book that I have to have read for English. It doesn't have to be finished until the end of January, but I might as well do it now when I have an entire two weeks to myself.

While walking through the halls I come across a few other students. We stop, say hello, and make a little small talk before heading our separate ways. Most students are too nervous to spend more than a few minutes around me. They smile, laugh, talk, but I can see in their eyes how each word they say is phrased precisely. They don't speak their mind. Instead, they speak what they think I wish to hear. They phrase things in a certain way that won't bother me, like everyone always has and most likely always will. I sigh and shake that somber thought away.

I will admit, it is a bit strange being on campus when there are no classes, but I do enjoy the silence. It's good to have silence every now and again. Everyone needs their space. Everyone needs time to themselves to just take a deep breath and relax.

The library doors are open, revealing the emptiness within. The elderly librarian is sitting at the front desk, her nose buried in a book. I'm not even sure if she notices me walk in. I'm okay with that, as she's always kind of freaked me out, so I tiptoe past her as fast as I can.

"Now where would it be?" I whisper to myself within the aisles. I don't really use libraries. I don't even know why I'm whispering. No one is in here for me to disturb anyway… except the elderly woman up front, but it's not like she's studying or anything.

Still, I stay silent as I search for my book. It's so quiet that I can hear myself breathing. Part of me thinks this is something out of a horror movie, a boy alone among the shelves, unaware of the danger behind him.

I peek over my shoulder.

Damn it, I'm freaking myself out. Now I only want to find the book and get the hell out. I'm giving myself the shivers. Sadly, the gods find amusement in my fear because I cannot seem to find this book anywhere. Another student could have checked it out already because they had the same idea as me… I should ask the clerk lady.

I step out of the aisles into the sitting area, ready to go to the front and ask where the hell this book is when...

"Why the hell are you here!" I scream, shattering the silence, enveloping the entire campus. I actually cringe after hearing my voice echo throughout not only the library but the halls. Wow, it is seriously quiet in here.