IN HIS SHADOW

An eerie silence surrounded the hallways, a figure walked through the halls. 'Maybe coming here wasn't really a good idea', Alissa thought as she clutched the flashlight close to her chest, her eyes wandering like they were searching for something. 'Not good', she thought, 'I lost the only heirloom my grandmother ever gifted me'. A long sigh escaped her lips. As she walked further, a sudden gust of wind swept past her, sending shivers down her spine. She rubbed her arms with her hands, hoping to get some warmth. An open window. Her eyes darted around trying to find the source while her face scrunched up in fear. The rumors of the murder going around in school which were dismissed by her were now roaming in her mind. She wasn't really the one with a good memory, but she knew she had just taken that path, and she hadn't noticed it being open. Nevertheless, she stepped towards the window, fear gnawing at her soul and sweat forming on her brow, as her mind reverted to the conversation that morning..... --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Alissa sat in the cafeteria, with her lunch on a table, her long black hair tied in a messy bun while blue eyes fixed on the food placed on the table. The food wasn't anything grand, just some simple toast and juice just like she had expected of her mother, who was rarely home due to work, but she wasn't really the one to complain, so she took the toast and nibbled at it while she waited for her friend, Rose. ' Did you hear about the murder?' Someone said from behind. Alissa stopped eating, her ears straightening up as she listened in on the conversation. 'Yes, this is the third murder this month', the other girl replied,'I heard that the police found the body in the girls' wing at the east staircase'. Alissa suddenly felt her appetite vanish. The place was just beside her homeroom. She was lost in her own thoughts when a tray slammed onto the table across her. Rose waved her hand in front of her and said,' you look like you have seen a ghost'. Alissa sighed and replied. 'Another one died, near the east staircase. The school isn't taking any initiative to solve the cases and ruled them off as a tragic accident'. Rose looked at her, her voice lowering as she whispered, 'I heard they suspected Daniel, the headmaster's nephew, maybe that is why the school is brushing off the cases and isn't involving the police.' Alissa's eyes widened. She couldn't believe the fact that it would be Daniel as she had interacted with the guy more than once, and he seemed quite nice. Before she could retort back, Rose replied quickly,' Yes, I know I don't suspect him either', as if she had read her mind. Alissa smiled at her friend. It felt good to have a friend who understood her. She continued eating her lunch, her heart slightly at ease. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A sound broke Alissa out of her trance. A 'clink' sound like something had fallen to the ground. Alarmed by the sound, Alissa looked around, flashing her light across the hall. Her heart pounded as she realized the sound had come from the east staircase. Again the sound was heard. Alissa gulped with slow and trembling steps. She trudged towards the staircase, clutching the flashlight tightly. With each trembling step, she thought her heart would burst out of her chest until she stepped on something. For a moment, she stilled, but then she carefully removed a foot only to find something she thought she wouldn't. Her lost heirloom. The fear was replaced by a sense of joy. She hurriedly knelt down and picked it up. But the joy only lasted a moment as she heard the sound of footsteps. Calm and composed, like a predator ready to pounce on its prey. She wanted to run, to hide, but her feet were frozen in fear. A glint of silver pressed down on her throat before she could realize. Her life flashed before her eyes, she peeked at the person behind her. Her eyes widened. A swift move. A scream that echoed through the halls. A scream which was lost in nothing but darkness........... The morning rays filtered through the light-colored curtains covering the windows, a flock of students could be seen hurdled up in the hallway, a look of pure panic could be spotted on their faces. A girl who could be vaguely recognized as Rose was sobbing as she clutched the cold hand of a corpse that was once her lively friend. A friend who was now lying on the ground, blood splayed across her body. The mystery has claimed yet another innocent person's life. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 'We combed the area. No fingerprints, no usable prints on the blade. Nothing useful', one officer said, seated stiffly across from Mr. Smith. The headmaster exhaled, fingers steepled. 'We can’t let this investigation disrupt school any further. Exams are near.' A knock interrupted them. Everyone turned. Someone entered the door. 'I know who it was.' --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To be continued