Jacob admired the valley as he drove his way to town. He was a transfer student from a community college in a decaying rust belt town. He specifically chose to transfer here because he wanted a change of scenery. It had been his all time goal to move away from the Midwest. Granted he had a lot of people he loved there but it was a dying, depressing place. This was a beautiful area, a fresh start to say the least. He pulled into the school's lot and started making his way towards the admissions desk.
"Jacob?" The receptionist asked.
"Yes, that's me." He replied.
"Let's see, Associate degree at MCC?"
"Correct" Jacob Affirmed
The reception gave him his name tag and Jacob proceeded to the orientation lunch at the cafeteria. His parents weren't here, it was a pretty far drive from where he lived and they weren't willing to travel the long distance. For that matter, they were upset that he chose to transfer to a school so far away from them, and they told him that they would not be able to visit him as a result. He saw that the cafeteria was labeled with Herbivore,Omnivore, and Carnivore. Leaving the 20 year old to wonder why. "Some sort of wildlife theme?" He sat at the orientation day picnic lunch, eating alone. Most people were with their families for now. He gladly took the sandwich and chips offered, the school food had a weird consistency, but he couldn't complain all that much. The campus was beautiful, with illustrious brick buildings and oak trees, with a picturesque lake. There was an odd closeness to nature that was a far cry from the abandoned factories and grime of Ohio.
"Transfers!" He heard a voice call from the left. Looks like it was time to get his room assignment. Jacob glimpsed at the shouting individual, some buff dude his age with a black mohawk. "Damn, this guy must be quite the personality." he thought to himself. In comparison he looked quite average. Short reddish brown hair, green eyes, 6ft tall and weighing 200lbs.
Jacob left with the group to get their room assignments. Following this he would go back to his car and bring his belongings back into his room. The ordeal took a good half an hour of bringing bags of clothes, supplies and electronics to the third floor of his residence hall. He noticed his room was labeled with his name and another boy's named Peter. After getting settled in his room the same mohawk-sporting guy asked if everything was going okay.
"Have you checked in with this Peter guy and asked if he's still going to be moving in today?" Jacob asked in a concerned manner.
"Oh him? He moves in tomorrow. He's a returning student." The man answered.
"Name's Stripes by the way. What's your major?"
"Economics, with a minor in history" he responded.
"Good combination." Said stripes responding. "Anything else you need help with?"
"I got too busy packing up to look at my schedule, is there somewhere I can find that?" Jacob asked
"Yep. Just look in that Manila folder on your desk." Answered Stripes
Jacob pulled out the sheet of paper and a class caught his eye.
"Anthro 101?" I thought my community college classes covered that?"
"Uhh That's not what you think it is" Stripes clarified. "This class is exclusive to Claw Valley. Every new student takes it, including transfers. Anyways, orientation is in 30 minutes in the common room, see you there!" As Stripes closed the door.
The orientation went like any other college would, with most people still around with their families. He talked to his parents, assuring them that he had settled in just fine, and spent the rest of the day watching YouTube videos and surfing the web . He'd go to sleep later that night. Feeling a shaking sensation early on in his sleep.