Faculty Room

I had always been tardy on doing my schoolwork and oftentimes I am reprimanded for it. My teachers are always irked on me because of my late projects and output. Sluggishness was a little persistent on my system that even at home I always get a scolding from my mom because of some scrappy house chores. But one experience changed me for good. It was a terrifying experience but I was still thankful because my tardiness and sluggishness was completely gone. The whole thing happened during my sophomore year in college.
I was rushing a paper that should be submitted a week ago but I was given another chance only that I should finish it that day before six in the afternoon. Luckily I was able to finish it. I was hoping that our professor would still be at the faculty room since it was just five fifty in the afternoon.
The faculty room was located on the first floor of the building. I was confident that I could make it on time. It was a quiet Saturday afternoon. As early as five thirty, the hall leading to the faculty room was already abandoned in silence. The stillness of the hall gave me a freaky feeling, but I didn’t have time to be scared since I was in a total hurry. As I was nearing the faculty room, I heard noises as if people are busily working. Though puzzled why would many teachers are still working hard that late Saturday afternoon, I was still thankful because after all I am not alone in that creepy building.
Rumors about ghost encounters at the faculty room had been roaming all over the school. There was once a teacher who saw a lady hanging in the ceiling and every six o’clock in the evening a chain being pulled by someone walking would be heard all over the hall. Deafening sobs of a lady who’s in pain would make your hair dance in fright. It was believed that the whole building was once prison and Spanish office. I had doubts about ghost stories so I never mind it at all. But that afternoon was a little different. Creepy feelings filled me over as I recalled the ghost stories I heard. I made gait faster, afraid that six o’clock would catch me. A sound of a ticking typewriter was slowly heard as I walk towards the door of the faculty room. Who could be using a typewriter when teachers already have computers? I just ignored the whole thing and hurriedly walk. I looked at my watch; it was exactly 6 in the evening. I was disgusted that I wasted my time recalling and feeling scared about illusory ghost stories. I just have to submit my paper and everything will be over.
I was about to open the door when I heard people talking in Spanish. It was getting louder and louder as if they were in a debate. I could not take everything anymore and wanted to run but I have to submit my paper or else I’ll be taking the subject again next year. I took a deep breath and push the door open. I almost fainted when I saw who were inside. It was a Spanish Scenario with people talking in Spanish and wearing Spanish clothes. I closed my eyes thinking it was just an illusion but nothing changed when I opened my eyes. The whole faculty room had turned into an Old Spanish Station. Someone was typing while talking to a soldier. Another soldier was having a debate with one of his colleague while being watched by some other soldiers laughing so hard. At the far end of the room was a prison cell slightly covered by a wall dividing the hall room into two. The scene inside the prison cell was still blatant at the place where I was standing. A lady was hanging in the wall, with two Spanish soldiers who are torturing her. The lady was crying out so loud as the soldiers keep on hitting her. It was a horrific scene. I wanted to turn away and run but I couldn’t move. I wanted to shout but I couldn’t utter a word. Suddenly a soldier turned to me with a bloodcurdling look. He pointed at me and as I watched him in horror the other soldiers started to come near me. I closed my eyes but a loud bang made me open my eyes. The whole place came into a commotion as if the whole place was being attacked. The people inside the office were running. Bloods are spluttered on the floor as some wounded Spanish Soldiers are frantically creeping for escape. I felt someone grabbed my shoulder. I turned around to see who it was. A soldier drenched in blood was frantically grabbing me. I wanted to kick the bloody soldier but I was so stonily- scared. I closed my eyes and prayed so hard… After uttering the last word of my prayer, I was able to breathe normally again. A slap made my eyes open… Though it was painful I was relieved to see who did it. It was my professor. “Mr. Arenas, what happened to you? You’ve been standing petrified for almost 10 minutes. Are you okay?” I just gave him a nod and handover my project. After assuring him I am okay; I immediately leaved the faculty room.
Although I did not understand what happened, I know it was real. Perhaps the whole scenario took place a long, long time ago but the troubled souls that bloodily died in that place were still there. I don’t know why I was able to witness it horribly… But one thing was instilled on me and it is making my tasks and schoolwork as early as I could. I would never again let myself be caught late in the afternoon at the faculty room. #