54:The Name in the Register

The Name in the Register

Ophelia sat at her desk with the old student magazine open in front of her.

The note she had found inside it was beside her laptop.

Meet me at the Annex after rehearsal. Come alone.

She had read the words so many times that she could almost imagine April writing them.

There was something about the handwriting that made Ophelia uneasy. April had always been careful with her words, especially when she was frightened. If she had written this note, then she must have believed whatever she wanted to discuss was important.

Ophelia picked up her phone and took a picture of the note.

She sent it to Anonymous.

His reply came several minutes later.

I am checking the date of the publication.

Ophelia waited.

A few minutes later another message arrived.

The festival took place three days before April's last recorded appearance on campus.

Her heart sank.

Three days.

She opened her notebook and wrote it down.

April attended the Spring Arts Festival.

Three days later, she disappeared from campus.

Then she received the message about the Annex.

There was a connection.

She just had to find it.

Her phone rang.

It was Ethan.

"Good morning"

"Good morning"

"You sound distracted"

"I'm fine. I was just working"

He laughed softly.

"You're always working"

"And you're always calling"

"Should I stop?"

Ophelia smiled.

"No"

There was a short silence.

"I wanted to see you today"

She looked at the papers scattered across her desk.

"I have some work to finish"

"I can wait"

She paused.

"How long?"

"As long as you need"

Something about his answer made her smile.

"Then I'll see you later"

"Promise?"

"Promise"

After the call ended, Ophelia stared at the phone for a moment.

She was becoming too comfortable with Ethan.

That worried her.

Her investigation had started with one purpose. She had wanted to find out who was responsible for April's death.

She had never expected to find someone who made her forget about revenge, even for a few hours.

She closed her notebook.

There would be time for Ethan later.

For now, April came first.

That afternoon, Ophelia returned to the university.

She went back to the library and asked the librarian if there were any records of students who participated in the Spring Arts Festival.

The librarian disappeared into the archives and returned with a large register.

Ophelia opened it carefully.

Names filled the pages.

She ran her finger down the list until she found April's name.

April Hayes

Beside it were the names of several other students.

She recognized one immediately.

Nathan Ashford.

Ophelia froze.

Nathan had been there.

Not just at the university.

At the same event where April had been present three days before her disappearance.

She continued reading.

There were several other names she didn't recognize.

Then she noticed something strange.

Nathan's name had been crossed out.

Someone had written another name over it.

Ophelia leaned closer.

The handwriting was faded, but she could still make out the letters.

Evan Cole

She copied the name into her notebook.

Who was Evan Cole?

And why had his name replaced Nathan's?

Before she could investigate further, her phone vibrated.

A message from Anonymous appeared.

Leave the library now

Ophelia's expression changed.

She looked around.

Everything seemed normal.

Students were reading.

The librarian was helping someone at the front desk.

Nothing looked suspicious.

Another message appeared.

Do not look behind you

Ophelia slowly closed the register.

She stood up and walked toward the exit without changing her expression.

When she stepped outside, she finally looked across the courtyard.

A man stood near the university gates.

He was watching her.

The moment their eyes met, he turned and walked away.

Ophelia reached for her phone.

Anonymous had sent one final message.

You are not the only person looking for the truth

She stared at the words.

Then looked toward the gates again.

The man was gone.

But Ophelia knew one thing for certain.

Someone had noticed her investigation.

And they were no longer simply watching from a distance.