Chapter 5: The Missing File
900 Words
Ama didn’t speak.
She couldn’t.
Esi’s words echoed in her mind, repeating over and over like a broken recording.
You were the one who disappeared.
Ama stared at her, her chest rising and falling quickly. That’s not true,she said, but her voice lacked strength.
Esi didn’t argue.
She simply watched her.
That building…” Ama continued, trying to steady herself, “something is wrong with it.”
Esi nodded. “Yes.”
It showed me things. The mirror…
I know,” Esi interrupted softly.
Ama’s eyes narrowed. How do you know?
Esi hesitated, then said, Because it shows the same thing to all of us.
Ama felt a chill.
All of you?
Esi looked away briefly before answering. The ones who don’t exist.
Ama swallowed.
Come, Esi said. “You need proof.
They walked across the compound in silence.
The normal activity of students surrounded them again, laughter, conversations, footsteps, but now Ama noticed something she hadn’t before.
Gaps.
Small, almost unnoticeable gaps.
Spaces where people should be.
A chair slightly pulled out with no one sitting on it.
A voice in a conversation that seemed to be answered, but the speaker wasn’t there.
Ama slowed down.
Do you see it?Esi asked.
Ama nodded slowly. “Yes…
Her voice trembled.
It’s like something is missing.
Esi looked at her. Not something.
She paused.
Someone.
Ama’s stomach tightened.
They stopped in front of an office building.
Where are we? Ama asked.
Administration,” Esi replied.
Ama hesitated. “Why are we here?
Esi gave a small, serious look. Because this is where the truth is hidden.
Ama’s heart began to race again.
Inside, the building was quiet.
Too quiet.
Unlike the rest of the school, there were no students here, just long corridors, closed doors, and the faint hum of old ceiling fans.
Ama lowered her voice. “Are we allowed to be here?
Esi didn’t answer.
She simply walked ahead.
Ama followed.
They stopped at a door labeled STUDENT RECORDS.
Ama felt her breath catch.
This is where they keep everything?she asked.
Esi nodded.
Every name, she said. “Every file. Every student who has ever been admitted.”
Ama stared at the door.
Then my name should be there.
Esi looked at her.
Let’s find out.
The door creaked open.
Inside, the room was filled with shelves.
Hundreds of files.
Neatly arranged.
Organized.
Perfect.
Ama stepped inside slowly.
Her heart pounded with each step.
This will prove it, she whispered.
She moved toward the nearest shelf and began scanning the labels.
A.
B.
C.
Her fingers trembled as she reached the Y section.
She searched carefully.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
Nothing.
Her breathing became uneven.
No…she whispered.
She checked again.
Still nothing.
Ama Yeboah,” she said under her breath. It has to be here.
But it wasn’t.
Ama stepped back, shaking her head.
This is wrong. This is all wrong.
Esi watched quietly.
I told you, she said softly.
Ama turned to her, her eyes wide. Then how am I here?
Esi didn’t answer immediately.
Instead, she walked deeper into the room.
There’s something else,” she said.
Ama hesitated, then followed.
At the back of the room was a smaller cabinet.
Locked.
Old.
Different from the others.
Esi stopped in front of it.
This is where they keep the files that don’t belong, she said.
Ama frowned. “What do you mean?”
Esi turned to her.
The ones they tried to erase.
Ama felt her chest tighten.
You think my file is in there?
Esi didn’t respond.
She simply reached into her pocket and pulled out a small key.
Ama’s eyes widened. “Where did you get that?”
Esi gave a faint smile. I’ve been here before.
The key slid into the lock.
A soft click echoed in the room.
Ama held her breath.
Slowly, Esi opened the cabinet.
Inside were files.
But not like the others.
These were old.
Worn.
Some were torn.
Others looked incomplete.
Ama stepped closer.
Her eyes scanned the labels.
Then she saw it.
Her name.
Ama Yeboah.
Her heart stopped.
That’s mine, she whispered.
Her hand trembled as she reached for it.
Esi didn’t stop her.
Ama pulled the file out slowly.
It felt heavier than it should.
As if it carried more than just paper.
She opened it.
Inside were documents.
Forms.
Records.
And a photograph.
Ama froze.
It was her.
Wearing a uniform.
Standing in front of the same abandoned building.
Her hands began to shake.
This is not possible,she whispered.
She flipped through the pages.
Dates.
Signatures.
Notes.
All real.
All official.
But one thing stood out.
A single line written in red ink across the last page.
STATUS REMOVED
Ama’s breath caught.
Removed? she whispered.
What does that mean?
Esi stepped closer.
It means,she said quietly, you were here.
Ama’s eyes filled with fear.
And then…
Esi paused.
You were erased.
Ama shook her head slowly.
No… I would remember.
But even as she said it, doubt crept in.
Her memories felt incomplete.
Broken.
Like pieces were missing.
Ama looked back at the photograph.
Her heart pounded louder.
Why was I standing in front of that building? she asked.
Esi didn’t answer.
Ama’s voice trembled.
What happened to me?
Silence filled the room.
Then a sound.
Behind them.
The door.
Creaking.
Slowly opening.
Ama turned sharply.
Her heart dropped.
Someone was standing there.
Watching them.
- Writer
