CHAPTER 7: LOCKER 7 🛅
660 Words
The warning note stayed in Ethan's pocket all evening.
He read it several times before carefully folding it and placing it inside one of his notebooks.
Whoever was behind the rumors wasn't just watching them anymore.
They were threatening them.
The next morning, Evercrest Academy was unusually lively.
Students hurried across the compound as teachers reminded everyone about the upcoming quiz competition.
For a while the school seemed normal again.
But Ethan knew better.
As he entered his class, the usual whispers followed him.
He ignored them and quietly took his seat.
A few minutes later, Sophie walked into the classroom.
"You didn't sleep much, did you?" She asked softly as she passed his desk.
Ethan gave a faint smile.
"Was it that obvious?"
"You look tired."
Before he could answer, Mrs. Wilson entered.
"Good morning, class."
"Good morning, ma."
"I have an announcement. Since the quiz competition is next week, each class will organize study groups after school. I expect everyone to cooperate."
Excited conversations filled the room.
When the lesson ended, students gathered into groups.
As Sophie packed her books, Jennimah hurried over.
"Sophie, have you noticed something?"
"What?"
"I think someone has been opening our lockers."
Sophie frowned.
"How do you know?"
"My notebook wasn't where I left it that morning."
Sophie paused.
"I thought I was imagining things."
"What happened?"
"My English textbook was turned upside down yesterday. I know I didn't leave it that way."
They exchanged worried looks.
Could it be another prank?
Or was it connected to the mysterious notes?
After school, Ethan, Sophie and Jemimah walked toward the locker area.
The corridor was almost empty.
Rows of blue lockers lined the wall.
Everything looked ordinary.
Until Ethan stopped.
"Look."
One locker door was slightly open.
There was no padlock.
Only a small piece of white paper sticking out from inside.
Sophie slowly opened the locker.
It was empty.
Except for the paper.
She unfolded it carefully.
Three words were written in black ink.
Find Locker 27.
Jemimah looked confused.
"Who's locker is that?"
"I don't know," Sophie replied.
The three of them quietly searched the corridor until they found the locker.
Locker '27' stood at the far end, hidden behind a notice board.
Unlike the others, it looked old and scratched.
"There isn't even a name on it," Ethan observed.
He gently pulled the handle.
Locked.
Just then, footsteps echoed through the corridor.
The three quickly stepped back.
It was the school cleaner pushing a trolley.
He glanced at them before stopping.
"You students shouldn't be here after closing."
"We're just leaving," Sophie answered politely.
The cleaner looked at Locker '27' for a moment.
"You've been looking at that locker?"
Ethan nodded.
"Do you know who owns it?"
The cleaner hesitated.
"No, but no one has used it for years."
He pushed his trolley away without another word.
The three friends looked at each other.
"No one has used it for years?" Jemimah whispered.
"Then why did someone tell us to find it?"
Sophie asked.
Before anyone could answer, Ethan noticed something on the floor.
A tiny silver key.
He picked it up.
The number 27 was engraved on it.
His heartbeat quickened.
Sophie glanced around the empty corridor.
"Should we open it?"
Ethan looked at the old locker, then at the key in his hand.
"Not today."
Jemimah blinked.
"What? Why?"
"If someone wanted us to find this key, they might also be waiting to see what we do next."
Silence settled between them.
He slipped the key into his pocket.
"We'll come back tomorrow."
As they turned to leave, none of them noticed the figure standing on the second floor balcony, hidden behind the railing.
The person watched them walk across the courtyard.
Then pulled out a phone and typed a message.
They found the key, proceed to the next step.
The message was sent.
Within seconds, the screen lit up with a reply.
Don't let them reach Locker '27'...
- Writer
