š¦ Chapter Twenty š¦
(Ledger Secrets ā Dark Version)
The sharp, restless sound of paper tearing through silence filled the room.
Moses' jaw tightened. His fingers moved fasterārougherāas each page turned, his patience wearing thinner with every second.
"Theseā¦ are blank transactions,"
he muttered, his voice low and strained.
"Dirty moneyā¦ hidden in plain sight."
His eyes dragged across every line, every number, every detailāsearching, questioning, burning.
"Why are these under our names?"
The words came out heavier this time.
His gaze froze.
Signatures.
Not just any signatures.
His.
Godstime's.
Others.
Repeated. Consistent. Perfect.
Too perfect.
"What is the meaning of thisā¦?"
He flipped again.
And again.
And again.
Each page felt like a slapāhis name staring back at him like a silent accusation.
"When did I sign any of thisā¦?"
Nothing.
No memory. No trace. No moment he could hold onto.
Only one answer crept into his mindāslowā¦ coldā¦ undeniable.
"Forged."
The word barely escaped his lips.
"Someoneā¦ has been forging my signature."
His grip tightened around the file.
"But who?"
The room suddenly felt smaller. Tighter. Like the walls were listening.
His hands slowedā¦ then stopped.
Something else.
Inside the folder.
Hidden.
His eyes narrowed.
"What is thisā¦?"
He shook the file slightly.
A faint sound.
Real.
Not his imagination.
He reached inā
āand pulled out a small flash drive.
"A driveā¦"
His heartbeat picked up.
Whoever planted thisā¦ wanted it found.
Or worseā
Wanted him to see it.
"My battery is deadā¦"
Frustration flashed across his face as he searched aroundānothing.
No charger. No power bank.
Nothing.
For a moment, he just stood thereā¦ staring at it.
Then quietlyā
He slipped the drive into his pocket.
Like it was evidence.
Or a weapon.
š„ K.K Primary School (Class 3) š„
"Barnabas, welcome back to class."
The teacher's voice was warmātoo warm for the strange stillness that followed.
"Thank you, ma,"
Barnabas replied softly, standing.
"How is your health now?"
"I'm fine."
But his attention wasn't on her anymore.
It shifted.
Slowly.
To the man standing behind her.
Smiling.
Watching.
Something about that smileā¦
Was wrong.
Cold.
Empty.
Like it didn't belong on a human face.
A quiet unease crept into Barnabas' chest.
He lowered his gaze immediately.
He wasn't the only one.
The class had gone unusually silentāsmall eyes stealing glances at the stranger.
"Barnabas, take your seat."
He obeyed quickly.
"Class, this is Wilson. He will be your P.H.E teacher starting today."
No one spoke.
No one moved.
"I'll leave you with him."
And just like thatā
She was gone.
The door clicked shut.
A soft sound.
But it echoed.
Wilson stepped forward slowlyā¦ then sat on the edge of the desk.
Relaxed.
Too relaxed.
"Soā¦ class,"
he began, his voice smooth.
"I'm Wilson. I'll be teaching you Physical and Health Education."
His eyes moved across the room.
Watching.
Measuring.
"Any questions?"
A small girl raised her hand.
"Sirā¦ P.H.E is about sports and exercise, right? Not reading?"
A pause.
Thenā
"You're correct."
He smiled.
But it didn't reach his eyes.
Not even close.
"And youā¦"
His finger pointed.
At Barnabas.
"You look like a smart boy. Go onāask something."
Barnabas shook his head.
"I don't have any questions, sir."
Wilson tilted his head slightly.
Studying him.
"Don't be shy."
"I'm not, sir."
A brief silence.
Thenā
"And your name?"
"Barnabas."
A pause.
A longer one this time.
Wilson's smile returned.
Slower.
Deeper.
"That's a veryā¦ nice name."
"Thank you, sir."
Wilson leaned forward slightly, his voice dropping just enough to feel different.
"I think we're going to know each other very wellā¦"
A beat.
"ā¦don't you think?"
Barnabas swallowed.
Hard.
Then nodded.
But deep insideā
Something didn't feel right.
Not at all.
š„
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