Chapter 2:The Name In The Dark
569 Words
Evelyn barely made it through the rest of the day.
Her classes blurred together, words and numbers floating past her without meaning. All she could focus on was the name she had seen—Aiden.
It wasn’t just the notes anymore. It wasn’t just paranoia. That name had been scratched into her locker like a ghost from the past demanding to be remembered.
But who was he?
And why did it send chills down her spine?
The final bell rang, breaking her thoughts. As students poured into the hallways, Evelyn found herself clutching the strap of her bag, her body tense. She felt like she was being watched.
She told herself it was nothing.
That was, until she turned the corner.
For a brief second, just beyond the mass of students, she swore she saw a figure standing near the lockers—watching her.
Someone tall. Dark hair.
But as she blinked, the figure was gone.
Her pulse quickened. Had she imagined it?
Taking a shaky breath, she pushed through the crowd and headed straight for the library.
⸻
The Library: A Place of Hidden Things
The moment Evelyn stepped inside, the world seemed to quiet. The scent of aged paper and polished wood filled the air. Dim lights flickered overhead, casting long shadows between the towering bookshelves.
This was where she could think. Where she could breathe.
She made her way toward the back, past rows of books, until she reached the corner where she always sat. But today, she wasn’t alone.
Clara Hastings was already there.
Evelyn hesitated. Clara wasn’t exactly a friend, but she wasn’t an enemy either. She was the type of girl who seemed to know things—things no one else paid attention to.
Clara glanced up from her book, her sharp blue eyes locking onto Evelyn’s. “You look like you saw a ghost.”
Evelyn sat down hesitantly. “Maybe I did.”
Clara raised an eyebrow but didn’t press. Instead, she closed her book and leaned forward slightly. “You’re looking for something, aren’t you?”
Evelyn stiffened. “What makes you say that?”
Clara smirked. “Because no one comes to this part of the library unless they’re searching for something they shouldn’t be searching for.”
Evelyn hesitated before finally pulling out the notes. She unfolded them carefully, placing them between them.
Clara’s eyes flickered over the words.
“Do you remember me?”
“You’ve forgotten, haven’t you? But I haven’t forgotten you.”
Something in Clara’s expression shifted—just for a second. A flicker of recognition.
Evelyn caught it. “You know something, don’t you?”
Clara exhaled slowly. “Maybe.”
“Clara, please,” Evelyn pressed. “Who’s Aiden?”
At that, Clara’s smirk faded. She sat back, crossing her arms. “Where did you hear that name?”
Evelyn hesitated. Should she mention the locker? The whispers?
Instead, she just said, “It was left for me.”
Clara studied her for a long moment. Then, in a quiet voice, she said, “You’re not supposed to remember him.”
The words sent a shiver down Evelyn’s spine.
“What does that mean?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Clara glanced around as if making sure no one was listening. Then, leaning closer, she murmured:
“Aiden Holloway disappeared five years ago. And no one remembers why.”
- Writer
