Senior Year Secrets

Too Close

The next morning, Amara woke up with one thought in her mind.

Sarah didn't leave school because she wanted to.

She had barely slept after the phone call.

Every time she closed her eyes, she remembered the voice.

Stop asking questions.

It had sounded serious.

Not angry.

Serious.

That somehow scared her even more.

Tessa was already dressed when Amara finally got out of bed.

"You look terrible."

"Thank you."

"I'm being serious."

"So am I."

Tessa shook her head.

"Did you sleep at all?"

"A little."

"You're lying."

Amara smiled weakly.

"I'll be fine."

Tessa didn't look convinced.

They left for class together.

Amara tried to push everything from her mind.

She had lectures.

A project.

Assignments.

Exams approaching.

She couldn't spend every minute investigating Sarah.

But the moment she entered the lecture hall, she saw Daniel.

He was sitting alone.

Their eyes met.

Daniel looked away.

Amara stopped.

Something about his behavior bothered her.

Yesterday, he had argued with Kelvin about Sarah.

Now he wouldn't even look at her.

She walked over.

"Can we talk?"

Daniel looked up.

"About what?"

"Sarah."

His expression tightened.

"Not here."

"Then where?"

"After class."

Amara nodded.

"Fine."

She took her seat.

The lecture began.

For once, Amara actually managed to concentrate.

But when class ended, Daniel was gone.

She checked her phone.

No message.

"Did he leave?" Tessa asked.

"Apparently."

Tessa shook her head.

"I don't like him."

"You don't even know him."

"I know enough."

Amara smiled.

"You've been saying that since the first day."

"And I'm still right."

They started walking toward the library.

Halfway there, someone called Amara's name.

She turned.

It was Daniel.

He was standing behind them.

"Tessa, can I talk to Amara alone?"

Tessa looked at Amara.

"Fine."

She walked ahead.

Amara faced Daniel.

"You disappeared."

"I had somewhere to be."

"You said we'd talk."

"I know."

"Then talk."

Daniel looked around before lowering his voice.

"You need to stop asking about Sarah."

"Why?"

"Because it's not safe."

Amara stared at him.

"Who is she?"

"I already told you."

"No. You told me you dated her. You didn't tell me what happened."

Daniel sighed.

"I can't."

"Why?"

"Because I promised."

"Promised who?"

He didn't answer.

Amara stepped closer.

"Daniel, someone keeps sending me messages about her."

His face changed.

"What?"

"I've received several messages."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Would it have changed anything?"

Daniel looked genuinely worried.

"Show me."

She hesitated.

Then she handed him her phone.

He read the messages.

His face became serious.

"How long has this been happening?"

"Since the day we found out about the project groups."

Daniel handed the phone back.

"You shouldn't have replied to them."

"I didn't know who they were."

"Exactly."

"Then tell me what's going on."

Daniel looked at her for a long moment.

"I can't tell you everything."

Amara's frustration returned.

"Then tell me something."

He hesitated.

"Sarah didn't just leave."

Amara's heart sank.

"I know."

"How?"

"The person calling me said so."

Daniel looked alarmed.

"What number?"

"Unknown."

"Did you save it?"

"No."

He ran a hand through his hair.

"This is getting worse."

"What happened to Sarah?"

Daniel looked away.

"She found something."

"What?"

"I don't know."

"You don't know?"

"She wouldn't tell me."

"Then why are you so worried?"

"Because after she found it, everything changed."

Amara waited.

Daniel continued.

"She started getting messages too."

Amara froze.

"Messages?"

"Yes."

"From the same person?"

"I don't know."

"Did she show you?"

"No."

"What happened after that?"

Daniel's voice became quieter.

"She disappeared."

Amara stared at him.

"You said she left."

"I lied."

For several seconds, neither spoke.

Then Daniel looked directly at her.

"I was trying to protect you."

"From what?"

He didn't answer.

Instead, he said something that made Amara's stomach tighten.

"Whatever happened to Sarah may be happening again."

Amara's voice dropped.

"To me?"

Daniel nodded.

"That's why you need to stop looking."

Before she could respond, someone called Daniel from across the courtyard.

He looked over.

Kelvin was standing there.

His expression was unreadable.

Daniel turned back to Amara.

"Don't trust everyone around you."

Then he walked away.

Amara stood there.

A few minutes later, Tessa returned.

"What happened?"

Amara looked at Daniel's disappearing figure.

"He lied to me."

"About Sarah?"

"Yes."

"And?"

Amara swallowed.

"Sarah disappeared."

Tessa's eyes widened.

"What?"

"And apparently, she was receiving messages before she disappeared."

Tessa stared at her.

"So the same thing is happening to you."

Amara nodded.

Neither of them noticed Kelvin standing several meters away.

He had heard everything.

He took out his phone.

Typed a message.

And sent it.

She knows about Sarah.

A reply appeared almost immediately.

Then we have to act before she finds out the rest.