She walked through the long, bland hallways of the old community college that sat right in the middle of the small college town in beautiful, big sky Montana. It was Dellas first day of college. She was headed to her first class which she knew absolutely nothing about. It was a complete mystery. She had asked the college administration to just fill her extra period with whatever class was open. So that’s what they did and they just gave her the room number, 217. The first thing she noticed was when she got there was the strangely painted classroom door. It had been painted a deep sapphire blue and had sliver markings, and designs that looked like the Roman numerals. Della gave the door a peculiar look as though she just saw a dog walking on its hind legs. She pulled the door open with a slow tug. It opened up to a very boring regular classroom that had rows and rows of desks with hard blue plastic chairs. At the front of the class sat a large wooden desk that was painted with the same strange color and markings and there was a very small door on the left side of the desk painted the same. Curious, Della thought to her self. She went and sat in the second to last row figuring that would be the safest bet. Other students entered the room and took their seats. Della being bored and not really feeling like introducing herself to anyone at the moment she pulled her phone out and started mindlessly scrolling. About ten minutes later, The room became eerily quiet. Della looked up and saw everyone looking at the small door to the left of the blue desk. It started to slowly creek open and a small older man came walking out. He walked up to the white board and began writing with a blue white board marker. He couldn’t have been much taller then Della and she was only just barely 5’0. He had a very thick, full, grey beard and mustache but what was with his hair? His hair was a very bright red that didn’t look as though it had been dyed. He wore a navy blue suite which also matched the doors and desk. Della thought that was definitely a little bit unusual, but she waved it off it was too early for her to really care. On the board he had written, Professor Phillips

“Hello everyone, Welcome and good morning,” He said sweetly in a very thick accent that Della couldn’t exactly pinpoint it kinda just sounded like a mix of everything. He began writing on the board again. Macfhearchair

“You all can call me Professor Phillips, but if you’d like you can call me by my last name if you can pronounce it correctly and if you can there might be a brilliant prize for you at the end of the year,” as he finished an impish grin had formed across his face. Della thought to herself that this professor looked a lot like a dwarf or a gnome or something. Della giggled under her breath.

“So let’s begin.” The professor smiled from ear to ear.

“This is going to be a very different type of class. Which I’m sure you have already guessed that by now. This class is for people who like mysteries and adventures because that’s really all this class is one big adventurous, mystery.” At those words Della leaned forward on her desk a million time more interested now.

“I will only be here in the classroom on the 17 of every month and no I’m not going to say why. That’s just how it is. But each and everyone of you is welcome to come to the classroom anytime to study, hangout, eat, or whatever else you want. Each time I’m here we will do an activity and I will give you your assignments. Okay now everyone stand up and close your eyes.” He said taking a seat at his strange desk. Everyone looked around at each other with perplexed looks as they all slowly stood and shut their eyes.

“Okay now I want you all to keep your eyes closed tight and start walking around very, very slowly and carefully. Then if you bump into someone, hold onto them. They are now your partner for the next activity and if you don’t find a partner by the time the timer runs out then whoever you are closest to will be your partner.” He grabbed his phone and set a 3 min timer.

“Okay, ready everyone, 1, 2, 3, go!” Della began slowly walking forward and she used her feet and hands to slowly feel in front of her. She continued walking even when she started to feel silly and self conscious. But then she heard the professor’s timer ringing and she opened her eyes to find her self staring at a black graphic tee that had a random meme on the front. She looked up to meet a pair of dark green eyes. He was a very tall skinny boy with dark hair and a very sweet, sharp face. The boy smiled down at her. She smiled back. She felt like a little gremlin compared to this giant tree of a guy standing in front of her.

“My names Liam.” He said holding out a pale hand. Della took it and shook it firmly.

“I’m Della. It’s nice to meet you.”

“Now take a seat with your partner. Your gunna have 10 minutes to play two truths and a lie. Do you all know how to play?” everyone nodded.

“Good okay now begin.” Soft chatter filled the air. Della noticed the Proffessor take the only piece of paper on his desk and he started writing and crossing things out on it like a frantic mad man. She then looked to Liam who smiled at her.

“Would you like to start?”

“Oh yah sure, why not. Ummmmm.” Della scratched her head trying to think.

“Okay I got em, I was a NASCAR driver a few years ago, I was orphaned at the age of 4 and I’ve never been out of this town?” She finished giving Liam a devilsh grin. Liam snicked and pretend to be deep in thought.

“Hmmmmm, I’m gunna have to go with, the NASCAR one.” Liam said sneaking slyly.

“Dang it. What gave it away?”

“Oh just that NASCAR isn’t anywhere near here and you said you’ve never been out of town before.”

“We’ll I don’t lead a very exiting life so I had to spice it up somehow.” Della said laughing.

“Okay now you.” She said gesturing to Liam.

“Aw shoot, okay uhhhh, okay got it, I’ve been a lifeguard sense I was 15, I had a pet tiger when I was younger and I have also never been out of town.” He finished smiling widely. Della looked at him dumbfounded.

“Really, come on that too easy, the pet tiger.” Della said confidently.

“Nope.” “What!! No way you had a freaking tiger as a pet?” Della asked amazed.

“Not exactly. My mom is the vet at the local zoo and they got an orphaned tiger cub and she had to take care of it for about 6 months before he was sent somewhere else. I was like 7 at the time.” Liam said laughing as he recalled the memories of having a tiger cub.

“That’s so stinking cool.” Della said eyes wide as saucers and jaw on the floor.

“Which was the lie then?” Della asked after she’d collected herself.

“Oh the lifeguard one.” Liam said snickering “I’ve been fired form so many jobs I can’t even count.” They both laughed and continued talking and getting to know each other until they heard the professors voice again.

“Alright everyone. Times up. I hope you had fun and learned something about each other, now I’m going to call some people’s names and all I ask of you is that you quietly grab your things and head out. I appreciate you for showing up and it’s nothing against you I just don’t believe you would be a good fit for this class.” He said matter-of-factly. He then began calling names from the single piece of paper he held in his wrinkled hand. Once he finished there where about 20 people left out of the 40 or so who had been on the full classroom moments ago. Liam smiled at Della. She was very glad his name hadn’t been called.

“So we don’t have much time left, so it’s time to give you your assignment. Now there are somethings you need to know. This is totally optional, you in no way shape or form have to complete the assignment it is totally up to you. I can promise you all that you can trust me and I would never put any of you into intentional danger. You will all be safe wherever it is you end up.” All the students looked around at each other again with puzzled looks. Professor Phillips began ripping the paper apart and handing a slip of it to each student. He passed one to Liam and Della right as the bell began ringing. Professor Phillips faced the class and said.

“Have a great day everyone. And here are your instructions for the assignment. Simply go there and you’ll know what to do.” He smiled simply then disappeared through the small blue door by his desk before anyone could ask questions. Della looked down at the slip of paper in her hands she hadn’t turned it over yet to see what was on the other side. She turned to Liam who gave her a shrug and turned his over so she did the same. On it was an address, nothing else, just an address. Della flipped it over a few times to make sure she wasn’t missing anything. But that was it just an address. It read 25770 Redwood Dr, ME, 04765 Della didn’t recognize the address. She looked over at Liams paper. Which he was just staring at very confused. It was a set of coordinates -59, 47, 3. They shared a befuddled look. Della looked back to her paper. She felt the curiosity rise in her and begin to overflow like a boiling pot. She had to find that address.