SILENT TRAIL by Blake Pierce

Author:Blake Pierce [Pierce, Blake]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-11-08T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Sheila's eyes ached as they darted across the dimly lit table, which was strewn with school files on the three victims. Desperate to find that single thread linking all three crimes, she furrowed her brow, the weight of her exhaustion settling in like a heavy fog. The fluorescent lights above buzzed softly, casting an eerie glow over the late-night scene. What am I missing? she thought desperately.

The cafeteria at Clearview University was deserted, save for Sheila, Natalie, and Finn. Long shadows stretched across the empty space. The table was strewn with the remnants of their takeout food: greasy cartons and crumpled napkins scattered haphazardly around the school files. The scent of stale coffee mingled with the faint aroma of cleaning supplies.

Sheila rubbed her tired eyes, the strain of staring at the files for hours taking its toll. She glanced over at Natalie and Finn, both of them hunched over their respective documents with furrowed brows. The dimly lit cafeteria felt more like a temporary bunker than a place where students normally gathered to eat and socialize. The only sounds were the distant hum of the air conditioning unit and the faint, rhythmic tapping of a leaky faucet.

"Are you sure these are all the files?" she asked Finn.

Finn lifted his gaze from the papers, dark bags underlining his eyes. "Yes, I spoke with the presidents of all three colleges. They know how important this is."

Sheila drummed her fingers on the table, the frustration welling inside her. "What if there were incidents where the victims bullied someone, but they weren't recorded?"

Natalie considered the suggestion, her eyes narrowing in thought. "That's possible, but how would we find out about those incidents? It's not like bullies keep a record of their actions."

"Maybe we could talk to the victims' friends and families," Finn said, rolling his shoulders to ease tension. "Find out if anyone was harboring resentment toward them."

Natalie shook her head, her expression grim. "That'll take too long. The killer has struck twice within twenty-four hours. We don't have time to waste."

As silence descended upon the group once more, Sheila's mind raced with possibilities, each one running into frustrating dead-ends. They needed answers, but the clues remained elusive. She clenched her fists beneath the table, the ache in her knuckles mirroring the growing desperation she felt. Time was slipping away, and with it, any hope of preventing another senseless death.

Feeling the weight of time bearing down on them, she pulled out her phone to check the hour. The glowing screen read ten o'clock, the numbers taunting her with their unwavering march forward.

An unread message from her father caught her eye: How's Natalie? Does she seem normal to you?

That was strange. Did Dad know something about Natalie that Sheila didn't?

Swallowing hard, she looked up at Natalie and Finn, their focus still locked on the investigation.

"Hey, I...I need a breather," she said. "I'm going to walk around, clear my head. I'll be back shortly."

Natalie glanced up, concern etched on her face. "You okay?"

"Fine. Just need some fresh air.

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