The following morning dawned on a bustling Thursday, with the usual vibrant energy echoing through the corridors of the dorm.
Yet, this particular morning held an unusual quality; despite the urgent announcement over the intercom urging everyone to clear the corridors and head to their classrooms, a crowd had inexplicably gathered. Whispers filled the air, a mix of curiosity and anticipation, as students paused their routines, drawn together by something unspoken that stirred beneath the surface.
A low hum of murmurs, hushed whispers, and rampant gossip circulated the air, all centered around a chilling mystery: the disappearance of several students who had yet to return from the Halloween event held just days before.
The atmosphere now felt heavy with unease, as concerned voices exchanged theories and fears about what might have happened to those who had vanished without a trace.
As I navigated through the throng, I caught sight of Valerie standing with her roommate, their faces streaked with tears, their voices trembling as they spoke. Curiosity piqued within me, urging me to understand the source of their grief.
Drawing nearer, I was struck by a putrid stench that clawed at my senses, a foul odor that sent bile surging in my throat. I quickly covered my mouth and nose with my sleeve, instinctively recoiling from the horror that lay just beyond my view.
In front of their dorm room lay a stretcher draped with a stark white cloth, obscuring the body of a student who had tragically passed away. The somber atmosphere was thick with sorrow as friends and classmates gathered nearby, their anguished wails echoing against the walls—a haunting testament to the loss of their cherished friend.
Among those who were carefully lifting the covered body, one of them glanced over at us, a stern expression etched across his face. "You all should head to your classes and stop loitering in the corridor," He instructed bluntly, breaking our moment of stunned silence.
Obeying the unspoken order, we shuffled away, but as we turned to leave, I caught sight of several other students being carried solemnly from their dorm rooms—at least four, each one shrouded in grief and loss.
A voice emerged from the crowd, heavy with cynicism and experience. "The lobby is probably filled with parents, frantic and desperate, trying to voice their anger over the senseless death of their children. But just like every other time, they'll be handed some compensation and told to keep quiet," said a senior who stood nearby. Her words hung in the air, tinged with bitterness, revealing a familiarity with the tragic events that seemed too frequent here.
"What happened, Valerie? When did you first notice her body in the room?" I asked, my voice thick with concern as I studied her tear-stained face, the weight of the situation heavy in the air.
"Since yesterday, there's been this terrible smell," she replied, her voice quivering as the memories surfaced. "My roommate and I thought we should do a general cleaning, and that's when we found her. We rushed to report it to the authorities." She choked back a sob, her sorrow palpable. "I can't believe she's gone. She was such a good friend."
"I'm so sorry," I whispered, turning my gaze away as a lump formed in my throat. The sounds of muffled sobs filled the air around us, the shock of losing a friend casting a dark shadow over what had started as a promising day.
After stepping out of the dorm building, I made my way down the hallway, the floors echoing with the muted conversations of students. Just then, Alex Storm appeared at my side. We exchanged polite greetings as we began walking toward the classroom where the entrepreneurship club met.
"How's your dorm? Any bad news today?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady as the weight of the moment lingered.
A frown spread across Alex's brow, deepening the furrows of worry etched across his face. "There was—though not today, but yesterday. A corpse was found, and then more news broke this morning," he replied, his tone somber.
"I heard about what happened in your dorm. Are you holding up okay?" He asked, glancing at me. His expression shifted slightly as his gaze landed on the pink bow perched in my hair, a small splash of color against the heavy atmosphere around us.
I let out a heavy sigh, uncertainty weighing on my thoughts.
As the words escaped my lips, "I'm fine," I felt a small flicker of hope ignite within me, praying fervently that none of my friends would experience the tragedy that had painfully unfolded within these walls.
A pang of sorrow gripped my heart at the thought of those students, and I yearned for a thorough investigation to reveal the truth to their devastated parents. I harbored dark knowledge about what had transpired, and the knowledge sat uncomfortably with me. Some things were fated to happen, I realized, and there was nothing I could do to change it.
"You look great today," he said as we approached the door, and relief washed over me, the burden of that grim topic momentarily lifted. A smile crept onto my lips, gratitude swelling within me for his ability to shift back to being normal.
"Really?" I responded, my eyes lighting up at his compliment. Deep down, I knew he was speaking honestly.
"Yeah. You just look so radiant; I truly hope you can keep that happiness alive," Alex said with a gentle smile before he opened the door for me, his kind gesture prompting me to mutter a soft thank you as I stepped inside.
As I crossed the threshold, I was greeted by a bustling classroom, vibrant with students chatting animatedly. The energy was infectious, the atmosphere far more lively than the previous Thursday. "I wouldn't have thought we'd have so many today," I murmured to Alex, quickening my pace to avoid lingering at the entrance.
"Isn't that a good thing?" he replied, his tone laced with optimism.
I chose silence and scanned the room, taking in the faces of my peers and offering subtle bows of acknowledgment to those who caught my eye. My gaze inevitably settled on a specific seat at the front, where Roman Golden sat, effortlessly manipulating a colorful cubic puzzle. The moment our eyes locked, the puzzle clicked sharply in his hands, startling me. Instinctively, I flinched and quickly diverted my gaze, choosing to follow Alex to the safety of our seats. Loneliness was not something I wanted to invite back into my life.
After settling into our seats, a palpable shift filled the auditorium as the vice president began his address.
I tried diligently to focus on the lecture, my pen dancing across the paper as I scribbled notes, but the incessant fluttering in my stomach distracted me constantly. My gaze inevitably drifted towards Roman, who sat ahead, his demeanor radiating disinterest.
Yet, the fleeting glance he had shot my way as I entered sent a chill racing down my spine, a silent warning cloaked in unspoken threats. Anxiously toying with the end of my pen, I finally forced myself to look away, comforted by the knowledge that today's session would be a question-and-answer format aimed at assessing our awareness of global events—much preferable to the previous dry-ass lecture.
As the seminar reached its conclusion, the atmosphere buzzed with vibrant energy, yet an air of anticipation lingered; no one seemed eager to leave until they were showered with the array of gifts promised by the club—books, pens, and assorted stationery, a gesture of gratitude for our engagement.
When a large, cardboard box was wheeled into the room, Alex turned to me, his eyes sparkling with expectation. "Carol, could you please manage that side of the class?" he urged, his voice imbued with a mix of firmness and friendliness.
"Alex, I…" My words stumbled out, uncertainty creeping in as I fiddled nervously with my fingers, hesitant to take on this responsibility. But the warmth of Alex's encouraging smile compelled me to rise from my seat, ready to take on the task of distributing the items.
Upon opening the box, I was greeted by a delightful medley of stationery: sleek diaries, elegant journals, the delightful weight of fountain pens, and sharpened pencils, all nestled among exquisite notebooks encased in high-quality covers. The thrill of anticipation crackled in the air as my classmates eagerly awaited their turn to unveil their treasures.
I approached Roman's table first, my fingers trembling as I tried to place a package on the front of his desk without making any noise to disturb him. As I glanced up, I caught his gaze; he leaned back in his chair, a fuse of annoyance flaring in his eyes. I managed a nervous smile before hastily fleeing from his side, feeling a mix of relief and unease.
As I continued distributing the items, I finally noticed Erica sitting in the classroom. She had somehow blended into the background until that moment, but her presence became apparent as she huffed at me when I handed her the package. The rest of the distribution went smoothly, and just as I was about to return to my seat, someone began murmuring from the back of the class.
"Carol," a familiar voice called out, prompting me to turn towards Hannah, who had been in the club last week.
"Yes, Hannah?" I replied, walking over to her, intrigued. "What's wrong?"
"My pen... it's missing from this case," she said, a look of frustration crossing her features as she glanced up at me, her brow furrowed.
Puzzled, I immediately sought Alex's attention, gesturing for him to come over and help resolve the issue of the missing pen.
"Are you certain?" Alex asked Hannah, studying her closely. She nodded vigorously, concern etched on her face.
He turned his gaze to me, his expression serious. "This shouldn't have happened; everything was counted and confirmed complete when purchased."
"I didn't notice anything wrong with the case," I replied, feeling the tension rise as my eyes flitted between Alex and Hannah.
"The case was accounted for; there shouldn't be any extras. Here, why don't I give you mine?" Alex offered, momentarily turning his back on the discord as he turned to Hannah. Just as she was about to accept his proposal, a voice broke through from the seating—a familiar sound, Erica's tone rising above the murmur.
"Why would you give her yours, Alex? The pen must be somewhere else," she challenged, tilting her head with a piercing glare.
"Maybe someone tampered with the cases," Hannah interjected, her voice firm. "Why don't we search this row?"
The row of students sat rigidly in their seats, faces a blend of curiosity and irritation as we implored them not to grow annoyed with our relentless search for the elusive fountain pen. But despite our thorough efforts, it remained stubbornly absent.
Erica, with a glint of mischief in her eyes, suggested again that we rummage through the students' bags. She believed someone might actually be hiding two fountain pens among their belongings. Yet, our inquiries turned up empty; the much-sought pen was still nowhere to be found.
"I think we've searched every bag in this place except for yours, Carol," Erica announced, her tone dripping with mock innocence as she turned to me, her smug smile widening.
I felt my frown deepen. Today, I had opted for a small handbag that barely contained my essentials, and I was sure I hadn't slipped anything else inside unnoticed. "Don't be ridiculous; I didn't take anything," I shot back, my glare fierce, but she only smirked, undeterred.
With a playful flourish, Erica glided towards me, her hand reaching out to grasp the handle of my bag. I instinctively tightened my grip, unwilling to let her have her way. "If you're not the thief, why are you so anxious?" she teased, her lips curling into a triumphant smile.
As I felt the weight of everyone's eyes on me, apprehension twisted in my stomach, and I finally relented, letting go of the bag. Erica wasted no time. She yanked it open and upended its contents onto the floor. My phone clattered down first, followed swiftly by a few neatly folded papers, a tube of lip gloss, a pen and then— there it was—another pen, gleaming in the light. The missing fountain pen we had been hunting for.
My eyebrows knitted together in confusion as Hannah knelt down to retrieve it, the revelation dawning on me like a sudden chill. How had it ended up there?
"Carol, this is the pen... why would you take it?"