Start your story with a student discovering a hidden room in a university library.

Posted in Mystery on Nov 3, 2023

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✍️ 77 stories

“The Exit Room” by Henry Harris

Submitted to Contest #223

THE EXIT ROOMDaniel Sposta sat quietly in the stacks of Adelphi University’s library. Students rarely went to the stacks, so Daniel more than often found himself alone. On this Saturday morning, he was studying for a Thermodynamics final exam. He was a senior engineering major, scheduled to graduate in May. He rose from the table and stretched his legs, walking to the window and then meandering about the quiet sanctum of the stacks; an area spanning no more than 1500 square feet. Suddenly, he came upon a room with a ...

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“Just Trying To Study” by Max Phantomhive

Submitted to Contest #223

Everything I’ve been through. All that I have done. Of all days. This had to happen on the one day I’ve finally been able to get out of bed for more than just classes. I went to the library, my favorite place. They have a small cafe in the corner, with the huge circular windows next to them. This area in front of the cafe, it didn’t have chairs, or tables. It had beanbags and lap tables. Due to price cuts last year, this was the best they could do. Some rowdy freshmen broke the tables and chairs, they did get expelled and forced to pay f...

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“MYSTERIOUS DOOR, MYSTERIOUS ROOM” by Melinda Madrigal

Submitted to Contest #223

What's that noise? knock, knock, tap, tap. I've been hearing that noise for a long time. I get up from my seat and begin to walk. I follow the noise to the back of the library. I don't believe my eyes. it's a door. It's unlike any door I ever seen. It doesn't match any door in the library. I open the door. It only opens half way. I can make out an empty room. I close the door.I know the library very well. I've been coming to the library at Columbia university for the past three years. I walk pass this section of the library all the time and ...

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“The Room that Led to Freedom” by A Kathryn Vaughn

Submitted to Contest #223

Dr. Melissa Hines turned off the light on her desk and headed to the door when four seniors burst into her office. Faces white-like sheets with looks of sheer terror, the students spoke all at once in such loud voices, that Dr. Hines had to use one of her ear-splitting whistles to get their collective attention. “Now then, Bethany, you go first,” Dr. Hines said in her calm librarian voice. “It’s Luis, Dr. Hines, he’s missing. He came to the library last night and no one has seen him since,” said Bethany, a tall girl with long dark hair p...

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“You're Next!” by Serenity Reads

Submitted to Contest #223

In the quiet of the night, Lena once again found herself in a perplexing situation. She had always been a curious child, sticking her nose in places where it most certainly did not belong. This time was no different, and it might just get her expelled. Still, she found herself burning with questions that needed answers as she tiptoed through the halls of her academy. It all started when she received a text from her roommate, Monique. Monique claimed she was out of town visiting her parents and wouldn't be back for a few days. This made Lena ...

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“The Devourer of Children ” by Daniela Nowak

Submitted to Contest #223

Trigger warning. Sensitive content. …Greek… Greek... “Greek mythology! You slick bastard… Now…” C for Cronus. Curtis slides his finger over the spines of the books, looking for... “Aha…” The book’s murky green spine sits tightly squeezed shoulder to shoulder between two much larger spines of dark burgundy and pastel mustard. “Cannibalism. An act of love, hate or an urge to devour.” Mr. Anethena spoke in today’s class. “Which one is it? Let’s look at it from the eyes of the Greek Gods.” The professor strolled into the room ten mi...

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“The Tunnel Door” by DaVonne Rochelle

Submitted to Contest #223

The Tunnel Door By DaVonne R. Armstrong The air in Sullivan University Library was stagnant. The thin layer of dust that hung suspended in the atmosphere was disturbed only by the occasional shift of a student making their way to the loo or, if they were lucky, leaving for the night. The simple sign on the doors of the building warned students to study at their own risk, air conditioning broken. On the second floor of the four-story building, the graduate seminar hall was packed to the hilt with students. Each one encased in glass study r...

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“Confessions From A Mythical Legend” by Gary Robinson

Submitted to Contest #223

“I had no idea that this small area of paradise existed in this library!” the skinny, spectacled, first-year student adjusted his glasses while handing a librarian assistant his student identification. Lou, the library assistant, smiled. “Ah, I am happy to hear you say that. I have worked in special collections for four years at Shasta College and am about to graduate. I love this place.” Lou scanned his student identification, confirmed his status, and asked, “How can I help you?” The young man struggled to adjust his backpack on his ...

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“The Secret Room of Oxen University” by Kerri EuberHolcomb

Submitted to Contest #223

The lights were dim, making the old university library look like it belonged tucked away in a haunted mansion. From cobwebs adorning every corner of the library, to the massive oak stained shelves that held what seemed like every book in existence. Sarah sighed, closing her book as she tossed her pencil aside. This was pointless, she couldn’t focus tonight to save her own soul. As she was about to zip up her bag and leave, she heard a small clatter from the other side of the library. “That’s weird, Mrs. Reifen said that I’d be the only here ...

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“Hidden lives ” by Hannah Abrams

Submitted to Contest #223

"Ooh this looks interesting." I said and picked a book off the shelf, or well tried to, but it refused to move. "Huh?" I pulled with all my might, but nothing happened. "Um…is there something wrong with you?" My best friend Max asked. "This book is broken." I told her. She raised an eyebrow and tried to get it off the shelf but it wouldn't move. "Told you." I said. She tapped her ch...

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“The Hidden Library ” by Colleen Shadle

Submitted to Contest #223

Inwardly, I groan. The Library’s records show the book I need, but it was never returned some years ago. Sighing, I click out of the catalog, stooping to pick up a fallen pencil. Deciding to check the shelf, just in case, I shoulder my bag and surf through the abundant shelves under what should be the correct letters. Anxiety wells up when I don’t find the book, however something else catches my attention. Tucked in the very corner of the shelf is the brightest shade of Marine Blue I have ever seen. The spine and cover exhibit a Banishing Si...

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“The Room ” by R. Faye

Submitted to Contest #223

“It’s begun to snow again.” “Astrid, it's Michigan; it's going to snow.” “It's good to know, okay? I see nothing wrong with” I shushed her and began to just stare at them while the both of them continued to bicker in almost silent voices. They’ve been friends since their first semester here, which was probably a year or maybe more ago. I honestly can't remember, at this point, how long it's really been. “Astrid and Lewis, knock it off; we are only here to study, nothing more, and definitely shouldn't be messing with each other in a damned li...

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“A Mystery to be Solved” by Brokk G

Submitted to Contest #223

“I am a mystery to be solved.” The words whispered through his mind, echoing down the empty corridors of his thoughts. His gaze returned to her again and again. She was a completely average looking student with mousy brown hair that would never garner a second glance from most. In fact, he wasn’t sure he had seen anyone take notice of her these last few weeks. She was always reading a book, sitting in the same spot, dressed in the same style of vintage clothing that seemed all the rage in thrift stores these days. Why was she here all t...

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“The Study Room” by L.J. LaBree

Submitted to Contest #223

“... It’s a closet.” The janitor scoffed at the student as he held the door open for her. “That’s the trouble with this generation – you don’t use your imagination anymore!” The student glared at him as she shifted the large stack of books from one arm to the other. She tried to look past the several neon-yellow broom handles clustered together in the corner and sopping wet mop in the other, which she was pretty sure was only bright green because it had something growing on it. But try as she might, she just co...

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“THE ROOM” by Glenna Agnew

Submitted to Contest #223

THE ROOM Ky walked into the University Library, past the main desk, and took a seat where he could have a good view of all the people entering the library. He picked up a magazine off the low table in front of the chair and flipped it open. Every now and then he flipped a page. But his main focus remained on the glass doors. He had been waiting for a good thirty minutes and had varied his glance between the big round clock behind the front desk, the magazine, and the front door. Finally, his diligence paid off. She walked int...

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Start your story with a student discovering a hidden room in a university library.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 77 stories

“The Exit Room” by Henry Harris

“Just Trying To Study” by Max Phantomhive

“MYSTERIOUS DOOR, MYSTERIOUS ROOM” by Melinda Madrigal

“The Room that Led to Freedom” by A Kathryn Vaughn

“You're Next!” by Serenity Reads

“The Devourer of Children ” by Daniela Nowak

“The Tunnel Door” by DaVonne Rochelle

“Confessions From A Mythical Legend” by Gary Robinson

“The Secret Room of Oxen University” by Kerri EuberHolcomb

“Hidden lives ” by Hannah Abrams

“The Hidden Library ” by Colleen Shadle

“The Room ” by R. Faye

“A Mystery to be Solved” by Brokk G

“The Study Room” by L.J. LaBree

“THE ROOM” by Glenna Agnew

🌟 Similar prompts

Write about two rival academics pursuing the same grant.

Write a story in which a jaded academic makes an unexpected, rash decision.

Write about a student reporter uncovering a university scandal.

Set your story during exam season, when tensions run high and a minor incident sends your protagonist into a panic spiral.

Contest #223

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

184

Contest entries

84

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: