ANDREW'S POV[1]
I had been aware of Jane's quiet investigation for weeks. The way she studied my routine, thinking she was being discreet, was almost amusing. That night at Dormain Hall, I let her follow me, curious of how far she would push her suspicions. I also noticed the Principal turn off the light of his office, which means he was going for patrol. The first place he goes to…..Dormain Hall, like a Vulture going back to check for carcass.
When Jane hid, I already knew, pulling her inside wasn't impulse, it was necessary or she might get caught.
What of Me?
Na, I never get in trouble.
After that, we talked, it felt more relieving though as she spoke, she kept accusing questioning, trying to make sense of me. It was so funny because she tried to sound tough but it kept coming out wrong or two soft.
I realized something else, Jane wasn't just chasing a mystery, she was already part of it, whether she understood that yet or not. She is reckless, stubborn and that was the problem. The more she pushed, the closer she got, not just to me, or what is going on, but my fear was that it was to something far more dangerous than what we could imagine.
She thought I was the one to watch, the one to suspect, but she had no idea how exposed she already was. Even then, I made a decision: I wouldn't stop her. I would watch, guide when necessary assist, because if Jane keeps digging, she wouldn't just find answers… she would find the truth someone is desperately trying to keep contained.
After she left, I searched through the hall maybe I would find something, any clue from the police officers that came to the school on the day of the incident.
I found something
It was jotter of one of the police officer kept carefully in a place like intentionally.
I opened the book and i saw;
"Say it is Drugs though it is not."
" Victim suffered various deep cut before falling off."
"Victim must have been attacked. A case file opened at the Founder's hall."
What the Police officer or whoever wrote this book just confirmed what I thought as well. It was an attack.
I left the hall with the book although I didn't read further, I decided to conduct my own research then compare it to what is written in the book.
As the assistant head of student council, I had access to the school information. I did find out a lot, but the major thing I found out is that...…
"Every action…..every victim...must have been chosen."
What I don't know, who and why the person is doing all these, because, all the victims were related in one way or the other. It is like, elimination of threat or possible threats.
But why?
What does this person want?
The school?
Watch people in pains?
I kept thinking till I eventually fell asleep.
The next day, I decided to appreciate my new friend for her company. I know to others it meant nothing, but isolation is like what I have been living in for a while now.
Before the first class, I went to the school cafeteria, joined the caterers in baking.
Then, I walked into the classroom holding a plate with four cupcakes on it. The plate was golden and honestly, it looked almost edible itself. The cupcakes were covered in shiny sprinkles, in one word, they looked glorious.
The moment I stepped in, Emma looked up.
I knew she would be in the class but I didn't care anyway. She walked over smiling and picked one immediately, already about to take a bite. I quickly snatched it from her hand and placed it back on the plate.
She stared at me like I had just committed a crime.
"Andrew, are you kidding me?" she yelled in frustration.
I ignored her completely, instead, I walked straight to Jane.
The boy sitting in front of her was blocking my way, so I gave my usual creepy stare- he stood up understanding the assignment. Jane, she kept a stare consumed with confusion. I turned the chair around and sat facing her. By this time the whole class was staring at us, but I didn't care.
I placed the cupcake on her table.
"Whaaaat th—" she started but couldn't finish the sentence.
"Breakfast," I said, smiling. "You don't like cupcakes?"
Emma looked like she was about to explode. I could practically feel the anger radiating from her side of the room, though I wasn't sure if it was anger or jealousy but who cares?
Jane took a bite.
For a moment, she froze, looked me in the eye and then said stamping her feet enjoying every single bite;
"Damn… it's so good,"
"You like it?" I asked feeling so impressed
"Like it? No, I love it. Guyyyy…"
I couldn't help but smile.
"Meet me immediately after school closes at the cafeteria," I said as I stood up.
I winked at her before leaving.
Right as I was walking out, Nafisat walked into the classroom. Everyone was still staring at Jane like something unbelievable had just happened.
A few seconds later, Nafisat grabbed one of the cupcakes.
"Wow… hmm," she moaned softly. "Damn, this is so good. It tastes like manna. Those Israelite guys were so lucky."
Behind her, Emma practically screamed in frustration while her two loyal"best friends" tried to calm her down. By then she was already crying.
Honestly… poor Emma.
But that wasn't my problem.
I couldn't concentrate in class all I could do was watch the clock as it ticks.
The time I was waiting for finally came through. After school hours, Jane met me at the cafeteria just like I asked. Without wasting time, I led her toward the oldest building on campus.
The founder's building.
According to the stories we'd been told since our first year, that building marked the beginning of the entire school and it holds a lot of secretes.
"Why are we here?" Jane asked.
"Jane, I did the research I promised to do," I replied. "And I think we might find a clue somewhere here."
She frowned.
"That didn't answer my question. Why are we here?" She asked again.
I looked at the building again before answering.
"Because this building holds a secret," I said. "And we're here to find it."
"All the victims— Jasper, Denis, Mrs. Rogue and Nathan— they're all related to the first founder. And this building used to be the founder's home."
"First founder?"
"The person who built this school, Saint John" I explained.
For a moment, we both just stared at the building like it was an ancient castle.
Whatever was happening in the school… it had to be connected to the foundation of the place. The place structure looked like it harbours a lot of secrets.
"I'm sure whatever is going on is tied to the roots of this school," I added before pushing the door open.
Jane followed behind me.
From what I knew, students did come to this building sometimes… but not for research mostly to make out.
The moment we stepped inside, I paused.
Unlike the expected dust and cough, nothing…..The inside looked nothing like the outside. While the exterior looked rusty and ancient, the interior was clean and organized. There was a seat, a shelf filled with books, and even a coffee maker. It looked like someone still used the place.
"I thought this building was supposed to be demolished?" Jane asked.
"Well… clearly it isn't," I replied.
I walked toward the shelves.
"Let's check the books. Maybe we'll find something connected to the accident victims."
It sounded easy.
It wasn't.
We opened books, flipped through pages, scanned documents… but nothing useful appeared. Most of what was in the files were budgets, letters from the board and to the board.
After a while, Jane sighed loudly.
"Andrew, can we come another time to check?" she asked looking drained.
"What if we get caught next time?" I replied without looking up from the book in my hand.
Right then—
A loud laugh echoed from outside the door.
Then voices.
We paused, looked at each other like it was planned.
"Spoke too soon," Jane whispered.
Before I could think, I grabbed her wrist and pulled her between the shelves just as the door swung open. I couldn't see clearly, but I recognized that laugh anywhere.
The principal.
Jane's head ended up resting against my chest while we hid in the narrow space between the shelves. I could feel her breathing and the slight tension in her body while her head moved with the rhythm of my breath.
The principal and whoever he came with started talking.
And talking.
And talking.
Almost an hour passed.
By then Jane was barely able to stand. I could feel her shifting slightly, trying not to lose balance.
Then it happened.
She stumbled.
Her hand hit one of the books behind us.
The book fell with a loud sound.
Everything went silent.
"What do we do?" she whispered in panic.
"Who is there?" an unfamiliar voice called as footsteps started moving closer.
Jane closed her eyes.
And in that moment, I did what every movie character do when they are in trouble…
It was my lip on hers…....
[1] Andrew narrates his side of the story. Remember, at this moment they are captured, they are explaining what happened.