1 From One Moment To The Next

"As your predecessor resigned from his position so abruptly you will have to make do with this small room for a while. That is until the school can clear Mr. Harper's dormitory and reassign you. It might be a little cramped but you will only have to bear it for a week or so. We apologise for the inconvenience, Mr. Rades.", a blonde lady made a somewhat apologetical expression while she opened the door in front of us. 'Huh?' I looked at her in confusion, my irritation apparent on my face. She must have noticed it as she shook her head sympathetically. "The Academy did everything in it's power to arrange a room for you. If we had another option we would have taken it. It's a pity..." 'A pity indeed.', I thought. - I couldn't make head or tail of anything. It wasn't that I did not understand her words, it was just the whole situation on it's own that didn't make sense. Just one moment ago I was in my bed, about to fall asleep. - No, I am pretty certain I did fall asleep. And in the next moment I am here, standing in a unfamiliar hallway accompanying this unknown woman while she is babbling some nonsense.

"Excuse me.", I tried to get her attention as she was about to enter the apartment, "I believe I didn't catch your name earlier, Mrs. ..." "Bawels, my name is Bawels.", she answered slightly sore. I offered her an apologetic smile and followed her inside. The whole situation was way too weird. How did I get here? Where was here anyway? Mrs. Bawels seemed totally fine with the whole thing, which was strange. Had she experienced the same odd situation of suddenly awakening next to a stranger, I doubt she would act like some sort of guide right now. She seemed familiar with this place. "The Academy you were talking about... what was it called again?" This inquiry caused her eyebrows to perk up. 'Sh*t. Wrong question.' I could only hope it was not too incongruous.

"It is the prestigious Crystal Haven Academy. The top school raising the future elites from countries all over the world. Our graduates become the backbone of nations. Their power is innumerable in comparison to those backwater schools." 'Like which?' "You would do good to remember this.", she said sternly before plastering a bright smile on her face. "Now that your accommodation is taken care of I will excuse myself, Mr. Rades. Your luggage already arrived as you can see.", she waved at the hallway. Following her motion I noticed heaps of suitcases and bags orderly stacked over one another. They weren't there before we entered. "I hope you will remember to show up to your own class on time.", after dropping this kind of bomb she disappeared out of the door into the hallway. 'Did she just say...' I was totally dumbfounded. 'my own class.. as in my own class as a teacher?! When did I become a teacher?' I was no teacher! Just what happened here? How did I end up here? What subject was I even supposed to teach?

My gaze returned to the heap of luggage outside. Maybe I could find my clues inside of these... 'Wait. Did she even give me my keys?', I wondered and searched the room. A small bed in the corner, a wardrobe, a sofa, a rather old looking TV, one desk with a chair, a small bookshelf, a very small corner with a kichenette which didn't really fit in here, but no keys anywhere in sight.

My Question must have hurt her pride of whatever position she holds in this academic haven. 'Crystal Haven.. - Sorry Missus but I never heard of your prided school.' Which was suspicious on it's own... Maybe.. - 'Don't think about it.'

I'd better get my stuff inside fist. Can't leave it in the hallway unsupervised. Even if it technically wasn't my stuff to begin with. As I pondered about how I could secure that the door stayed open as I went out to move the bags a silver key chain caught my attention. So she just left the key in the keyhole. Had I just checked there before wasting my time on the room...

As I collected the keychain I glanced over the three keys on it, taking note of the one for the door before putting them in my pocket. Time to get those suitcases.

It took some time but finally I was done. Getting the topmost trunks was a hassle, all of them weighted like a ton or so. Whoever brought them here has earned my outmost respect. How did they carry those here and stacked them like this in the fist place? In this little amount of time on top of it. Must be some sort of professional page boy or girl. Or there was some sort of machine involved. Yeah, most likely some small cart fitting inside this corridor. I refused to let myself think in any other direction. The whole situation was strange, I agreed on that. I just didn't want to think about it. Not now.

Instead, I could just check my loot. Yeah, that sounded good. I felt like a little child on Christmas full of anticipation for the items inside of the presents, or the suitcases and bags in my case..

The former already small room was littered with luggage, I seriously doubted I could fit everything in this tiny little store room or whatever it was before I moved in.

And I would have to move again soon... Once they cleared the other apartment.. - Actually, I was surprisingly accepting of that aspect. "How come so", I wondered talking to no one in particular. Subconsciously I might have already understood what my head refused to even investigate. 'Mr. Rades' - The professional, melodic voice of Mrs. Bawels sounded in my head as I involuntarily remembered the name she addressed me. That wasn't my name and yet...