Whispers In The Dark

The Circle Of Friends

Ethan had never been one to overthink. Normally, his world was simple: classes, books, coffee with Noah, late-night gaming with Liam. But now, every glance felt loaded. Every smile, suspicious.

Two letters. Two too-personal letters.

And they could only have come from someone close.

At lunch in the cafeteria, Noah waved him over. Noah was the opposite of Liam—soft-spoken, steady, the kind of friend who remembered Ethan’s favorite snacks during exams. He slid a tray across the table to Ethan without asking. “You look like you didn’t eat breakfast again.”

Ethan gave a half-smile. “You’re starting to sound like my mom.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.” Noah’s brown eyes lingered on him a second too long before he looked away. “So… you’ve been distracted lately. Something on your mind?”

Ethan hesitated. Should he say it? Mention the letters? Instead, he shook his head. “Just tired.”

But Noah didn’t look convinced.

⸻

Later, back in the dorm, Liam tossed a ball against the wall, catching it lazily. “So, still no mystery girl? Or—hey—maybe it’s a mystery guy.” His grin was teasing, but his eyes flicked to Ethan curiously.

Ethan froze, pulse quickening. Did Liam know something?

“Don’t joke,” Ethan muttered.

“Not joking. You’d be surprised how many people notice you. You’ve got that… quiet charm.” Liam winked. “Honestly, if I didn’t know you, I might write you letters myself.”

Ethan’s face heated, and Liam laughed, clearly enjoying the reaction. But then his tone softened. “Seriously though—if someone’s bothering you, tell me, okay? I’ll handle it.”

The sincerity caught Ethan off guard. For a moment, Liam didn’t seem like a suspect—he seemed like a protector.

⸻

That evening, Ethan went to the library again. He didn’t sit by the window this time. Instead, he took a seat across from Adrian, the reserved student who always seemed buried in his notebook.

“Hey,” Ethan said quietly.

Adrian startled, nearly dropping his pen. “Oh. Hi.”

Up close, Ethan noticed the faint ink smudges on Adrian’s fingers, the neat stack of folded papers beside him. His eyes were sharp behind his glasses, though he quickly averted them.

“Do you… always write in here?” Ethan asked, pretending to be casual.

Adrian nodded. “Yeah. It’s… quieter than my dorm.”

Silence stretched. Ethan’s gaze flicked to the folded papers, his stomach tightening. Could those be letters?

Adrian shifted uncomfortably, as if sensing his thoughts. “Do you… need something?”

Ethan shook his head. “No. Just… wondering.”

⸻

By the time he left the library, the suspicion had only deepened.

Noah’s lingering glances. Liam’s teasing words that felt too pointed. Adrian’s secretive writing.

One of them knew more than they were saying.

And Ethan was determined to find out who.