Alisha POV
Morning came, but it didn't feel like morning.
I woke up with a heavy chest, like I hadn't slept at all.
The room felt quiet in a way that wasn't normal. Too still.
Mandy's bed was empty.
Her blanket was untouched.
For a moment, I just stood there, staring at it, hoping I was wrong. Hoping she had only gone out early.
I checked the time.
6:42 a.m.
"Mandy?" I called softly.
No answer.
I grabbed my phone and dialed her number again.
Voicemail.
I sat on my bed slowly, my heart beating faster with every second. Mandy never disappeared like this. Never. Even if she stayed out late, she always came back.
Always texted.
I forced myself to get ready for class. Maybe I was overthinking. Maybe she slept somewhere else.
But the feeling wouldn't leave me.
At the lecture hall, everything felt unreal.
Students laughed. People talked. Life moved normally, and I felt like I didn't belong in it.
Mandy's seat was empty.
I kept glancing at the door, expecting her to walk in late, hair messy, whispering excuses.
She didn't.
My phone buzzed.
I already knew before checking.
Unknown number.
My fingers felt numb as I opened it.
"Still pretending everything is normal?"
My breath caught.
Where is Mandy?
I typed.
The reply didn't come immediately.
Minutes passed.
The lecturer's voice faded into noise.
Then—
"She's scared."
My heart dropped.
"What did you do to her?" I whispered under my breath.
Alex slid into the seat beside me.
"You okay?" he asked quietly.
I flinched.
"Yeah," I lied. "Just tired."
He studied me. He always did that lately, like he was trying to read something written on my face.
"You didn't sleep," he said.
I didn't answer.
My phone buzzed again under the desk.
"Don't tell anyone."
I felt sick.
Alex leaned closer. "Ali, something's wrong."
I stood up suddenly.
"I need air," I said, grabbing my bag.
"Wait—" he started.
But I was already walking out.
I didn't go far.
I sat on the steps outside the building, my hands shaking.
Where are you?
I typed again.
This time, the reply came instantly.
"You want her safe?"
Yes.
"Then listen carefully."
My heart was pounding now.
"Tonight.
Behind the old science block.
Midnight."
I stared at the screen.
Come alone.
My stomach twisted.
"I'm not joking," the next message came.
"If you bring anyone, she gets hurt."
Tears burned my eyes.
Why are you doing this?
A pause.
Then—
"Because you're curious.
And curiosity has consequences."
The rest of the day dragged painfully.
Mandy never showed up.
I barely spoke to anyone. I avoided Alex as much as I could, even though I felt his eyes on me several times. Like he knew I was slipping away.
By nightfall, my nerves were stretched thin.
I checked the time.
11:32 p.m.
I grabbed my jacket quietly and stepped out.
The hallway felt longer than usual. Every sound made me jump.
Outside, the campus was dim and quiet.
Halfway there, I heard footsteps behind me.
"Alisha."
Alex.
I stopped.
"Where are you going?" he asked.
"Back," I said quickly. "I forgot something."
He didn't move.
"It's late."
"I'll be fine."
He looked at me for a long moment. Then he sighed.
"Be careful."
I nodded and walked away, my heart racing.
I didn't see him turn around.
The old science block stood in darkness.
Exactly like before.
I checked my phone.
11:59 p.m.
My hands were cold.
Unknown number.
"You're late."
"I'm here," I typed.
"Good."
I stepped closer to the building.
"Where is Mandy?"
No reply.
Then—
"Behind you."
I spun around.
Nothing.
My breathing became shallow.
Then I heard it.
A weak sound.
Like someone crying.
"Mandy?" I whispered.
I followed the sound.
And there she was.
On the ground.
Her face was pale. Her arm was bleeding.
She looked small. Broken.
"Mandy!" I ran to her.
She stirred slightly.
"Ali…" she whispered. "I tried to—"
"What happened?" I cried.
Her eyes widened.
"You shouldn't have come alone."
My heart froze.
"What do you mean?"
Before she could answer—
Footsteps.
Fast.
Close.
My phone buzzed violently.
Unknown number.
"You disappointed me."
Fear wrapped around my throat.
Then
"ALISHA!"
Alex's voice.
I turned.
He was running toward us.
"No!" I screamed. "Alex, stop!"
The footsteps stopped.
The air felt wrong.
Heavy.
My phone buzzed one last time.
"You broke the rule."
The lights around the science block suddenly went out.
Complete darkness.
Mandy screamed.
And something grabbed my arm.