The whisper lingered in the air, sending chills down everyone's spines.
"Did anyone hear that?" asked Rutuja, clutching her notebook like a shield.
"Everyone did," said Srushti, her voice more serious than ever.
Prajwal, being the calmest, said softly, "We need to go to the basement… the library one. That's where Niyati went last."
"Are you serious?" Akshada said, half-laughing in fear. "After everything?"
"We've come too far to back out now," said Swara. Her eyes, calm yet firm, showed no sign of fear.
"Let's do it after school hours," suggested Apurva. "Less people, less attention."
The girls nodded in agreement.
—
4:45 PM – Library Corridor
All ten girls stood in front of the old wooden door that led to the basement. It was rarely used and usually locked, but today… it was slightly open.
"Creepy," muttered Akshara, holding onto Darshana's hand.
"Ready?" Prajwal asked.
No one answered, but their steps forward said it all.
They carefully climbed down the creaky stairs. The air smelled of dust and something… old. Almost like time had frozen down there.
Apurva used her phone torch to light the way while Swarali recorded everything—just in case.
As they walked further, they saw old desks, torn books, and spider webs hanging like decorations. But then…
"There's something written on the wall," said Srushti.
Swara moved closer and read it aloud:
"The truth is buried, but not dead."
"Look!" Darshana pointed to a locker. It had a sticker on it—"RS-13".
"That's the same code we saw in Niyati's diary," said Anushka.
Akshada carefully opened the locker, and inside… was a dusty black diary with a golden 'N' engraved on it.
Prajwal opened it carefully.
The first few pages were random drawings and notes… but then they found a letter.
To whoever finds this,
If I don't come back, know that I tried to expose the truth.
Someone hurt me… someone close.
Check the red file in the staff room cupboard marked '2007'.
They covered up something terrible.
– Niyati
The girls looked at each other, speechless.
"She knew something from long ago…" Swara whispered.
"And she died trying to expose it," said Rutuja.
Suddenly, the lights in the basement flickered. A shadow moved past them.
Akshara screamed. Darshana backed into a table. The locker behind them slammed shut on its own.
The phone torchlight blinked and died.
Then they heard the whisper again—clearer this time.
"You're so close… don't stop now."
—