CHAPTER 13: THE FINAL WARNING ⚠️
772 Words
The school library was unusually quiet the next morning.
Ethan, Sophie and Jemimah sat around their usual table, the brown file spread open before them. Every page seemed to raise more questions than answers.
"There has to be something we've missed," Sophie said, carefully flipping through the newspaper cuttings.
Jemimah adjusted her glasses and picked up the faded photograph they had found in Locker 27.
"The student in this picture had his face crossed out. Why would someone do that?"
Ethan leaned back in his chair.
"Maybe because they didn't want anyone to know who he was."
Before anyone could reply, the school bell rang, signalling the beginning of first period.
"We'll continue after school," Ethan said as he closed the file.
The day dragged on. Although teachers continued with their lessons, Ethan found it difficult to concentrate. Every time he looked out of the classroom window, he had the strange feeling that someone was watching him.
During lunch break, the three friends met beneath the large mango tree near the assembly ground.
"I checked the archive room during break," Jemimah whispered.
"And?"
"There wasn't another file."
Sophie frowned.
"So whoever placed that file there wanted only us to find it."
Ethan nodded slowly.
"Which means they're controlling every clue."
Just then, the vice-principal's voice echoed across the school compound.
"Attention, students. Due to preparation for Founder's Day, the old auditorium will remain closed until further notice."
Ethan looked at Sophie.
"The old auditorium..."
"What if that's where it all started?" she asked.
Jemimah's eyes widened.
Without another word, they agreed to meet after school.
The sun was beginning to set when the three friends stood outside the abandoned auditorium.
The building looked forgotten.
Broken windows.
Dust-covered walls.
A heavy chain hung loosely from the entrance gate.
Ethan noticed that one side door wasn't completely shut.
"It's open."
The three stepped inside.
The air smelled of dust and old wood.
Rows of broken chairs faced a stage covered by faded curtains.
Every sound echoed through the empty hall.
Sophie switched on the torchlight from her phone.
"Spread out, but don't go too far."
They searched quietly.
Old trophies.
Damaged desks.
Nothing unusual.
Then Jemimah called out.
"I found something!"
She stood beside an old notice board hidden behind the stage.
Pinned to it was a faded programme for a school event held several years earlier.
Someone had circled one sentence with red ink.
'Award Presentation for Outstanding Student.'
"It matches the newspaper article," Ethan said.
"The student who was falsely accused."
As Sophie reached for the programme, something slipped from behind the notice board.
It was a small envelope.
Inside was a flash drive.
The three stared at it in surprise.
"A flash drive?" Sophie whispered.
"What's on it?" Jemimah asked.
"There isn't a computer here," Ethan replied.
Before they could examine it further...
Bang!
The side door slammed shut.
The loud noise echoed through the auditorium.
Jemimah jumped.
"Did the wind do that?"
"I don't think so," Ethan answered.
He hurried to the door and tried the handle.
It wouldn't open.
"It's locked."
Sophie's heartbeat quickened.
"But we didn't lock it."
Suddenly, footsteps echoed somewhere behind the stage.
Slow.
Steady.
Deliberate.
The three friends stood perfectly still.
The footsteps stopped.
Silence.
"Ethan..." Jemimah whispered.
"I heard it too."
They slowly moved toward the stage.
There was no one there.
Only darkness.
Then Sophie noticed another folded sheet of paper lying on the wooden floor.
She picked it up with trembling hands.
Written across it in bold black ink were the words:
This is your last warning.
Leave the past alone... Or someone will pay the price.
A chill ran through the room.
The mystery had changed.
Whoever was behind the rumours no longer wanted to frighten them.
They wanted to force them to stop.
Just then, the lights flickered on for a brief second before going out again.
A loud metallic sound echoed from outside.
The door slowly creaked open by itself.
Without saying a word, the three friends hurried out of the auditorium.
Only when they reached the school courtyard did they stop to catch their breath.
Jemimah looked at the flash drive still clutched in Ethan's hand.
"We're closer than ever."
Ethan looked back at the dark auditorium.
"No."
He shook his head.
"We're exactly where the Rumor Master wants us to be."
Far away, hidden behind the branches of an old tree, a shadowy figure watched them leave.
The person didn't follow.
They simply stood in silence before disappearing into the fading evening light.
The game had entered its final stage.
And the next move could change everything.
- Writer
