Uncanny Magazine Issue 48 by 2022-09 to 10 Sep-Oct (retail) (epub)

Author:2022-09 to 10 Sep-Oct (retail) (epub)
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: science fiction, fantasy, magazine
Publisher: Uncanny Magazine
Published: 2022-08-27T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Four

I awoke shivering, my heart rattling in my chest like the last marble in a box. The window had blown open in the night and the room was frigid. I shut it and closed the latch. I put my hands on the radiator, trying to warm up, but it, too, was ice-cold.

I couldn’t stay in Radcliffe Hall. I had to move somewhere else, anywhere else. Surely there was another residence hall, perhaps a student who wouldn’t mind sharing a room. I would get my parents to pay extra. I would sleep in the smallest, dingiest attic room—as long as it was not in Radcliffe Hall.

It was late, almost nine, so I had to skip breakfast to meet the Dean. The morning light did nothing to improve the dreariness of the house and I resolved that I would not spend another night in it.

I peeked into the library on my way out, but no one was there. I regretted what had happened last night. While I had no intention to cause pain, all the same I regretted stirring their grief. And yet, what was I to do? The hauntings might continue until I resolved the ghost’s source of restlessness. She’d given every impression of a young woman in turmoil. I wished I could find a way to help her.

Professor Hutchinson was as obtusely cheerful as the day before. I’d already looked over the catalog of classes they’d sent by post, but the rigor of the program demanded that every student take the same core set of classes in their first year: Greek or Latin (I chose Greek), mathematics, physical sciences and chemistry, and a modern language (I chose German). That left me with only one class I could choose freely. I decided on a psychology class, Introduction to Modern Psychology and Psychoanalysis.

“Wonderful,” Professor Hutchinson said. “Professor Gundrich is a marvelous teacher.” He glanced up at the clock. “That class meets in a half hour. I’ll write you a note to present to Professor Gundrich. You’ve only missed two meetings, so there’s still time to catch up.”

“There’s another matter,” I said. “I can’t stay in Radcliffe Hall.”

“How extraordinary! Why is that?”

“It’s uncomfortable.” As soon as I said it, I realized how silly it sounded. What else could I say? That I’d seen a ghost? That I thought a dead student haunted my room? “It’s so cold, I’ll become ill.”

“Of course, you’re not used to our New England autumns,” he said jovially. “Mrs. Walton can give you an extra blanket.”

“The window latch—it came undone and the cold air—”

“We’ll have someone repair it right away, and your radiator as well.”

“I can’t spend another night in that room.” How like a spoiled little girl I sounded! I could feel heat rising on my cheeks and neck. “Did someone die in that room?”

The dean’s face turned white as cheese, and then flushed pink. “No, Miss Kikuchi. No one died in the room. Do not let your superstitions run away with you.” But I knew he was hiding something.

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