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Chapter eight

Zovalee

W alking out of my room, I can’t help but sense something is off. I didn’t notice anything out of place, but I swear I could smell the same scent from the night in the maze. I’m still trying to wrap my head around what Ez said about missing it. I was so fucking wasted that night. In my mind, I sensed something was off, but whoever it was felt familiar. Fuck. I can’t do another party like that again.

When he texted me, I lied and said I was with the girls but I laid in bed. He has to be cheating, he always gives me an excuse about his coach or dad needing him. It's only gotten worse over the past month and I’m over it. I should’ve seen it coming, especially because that's how all guys are. You let them fuck you and then they do you dirty behind your back.

Walking into class, I take my seat in the back. We have a sub again today. Seems like it's either a professor, student, or someone else that is vanishing every day. Where the fuck are all the people disappearing off to? I’ve been so caught up in my thoughts that I didn’t notice the students have started packing up and shuffling around. I need to get it together. Walking out of class, Ez is waiting for me.

“Hey babe.” He bends down, kissing me.

“Hey.” I respond.

“I really am sorry about last night. You forgive me?” He makes his puppy dog look at me.

“Yes. It's okay.” I lie. “Are we on for tonight?”

“Sorry babe.” He starts, but I hold up my hand, stopping his next words.

“Let me guess, practice? Or your dad?” I question, annoyed.

“Come on, babe. You already know I don’t have a choice when it comes to either of them.” I nod.

I’m over it all at this point. I’m just ready to take my chances and head home to the fucking Elites. We stand and chat for ten minutes more before he kisses me bye and takes off to the rink. I head towards the sorority, needing to drop off my things before heading to the library.

Once I cross the bridge, I feel that familiar yet unsteady feeling of being watched. This shit is getting out of control. Looking around, I don’t see any signs of anyone, so I continue my path. Walking up the main stairs, entering the house and going up to my room, I unlock the door and walk in. As soon as I turn around, I see a letter taped to my vanity mirror with a polaroid picture attached.

What the fuck?! I knew someone was in here earlier. Why won’t they just show their face? I walk over, remove the letter and photo. The picture is of a young girl who looks like me except her eyes are a different color than mine. The name ‘Lina St. James’ is written on the bottom of the picture. I’ll have to dig into this name. Opening the letter, I get chills.

Believe me when I say that all I need is you.

Because everyday my heart bleeds for you.

My eyes can see nothing but grey.

Every second that you're away.

Your voice calms the storms within my soul.

Your touch makes everything broken feel whole.

Religious beliefs aside, I pray.

That you won’t take your love away.

Because, I’d rather die of an overdose,

Then to never be able to hold you close.

My eyes begin to run dry of tears,

But it still hurts to look back at the years.

You’re my perfect ruined valentine.

See you soon, Z.

-T

T? Truce? You got to be fucking kidding me. They followed me here. I thought I had more time. Taking my phone out, I scroll to his contact and pull up the text thread. I type out a message but– fuck that, if they wasn’t me, then they can take me kicking and screaming. Putting my phone away, I gather what I need for the library and head out.

Sitting here in class, I can’t even focus due to everything that happened this morning. Are the guys really here? Do they have information on who is in the photos? Did my parents send them to bring me back home? I have so many questions swirling around my head. Finally, snapping out of my thoughts, I try to focus back on what is happening around me. Today, we are working on our study guides for our upcoming biology test.

The sounds of a bell alert us it's lunch time. Packing up my items, I head out the class door, towards the cafeteria. Today’s menu is my favorite: chicken pizza, chicken tacos, side antipasto salad and banana nut bread. I also grab water, juice, and vanilla soda. I am going to eat my feelings today. Plus, if the guys show up, at least I’ll be full for the ride home.

The chair pulls out next to me and I jump, quickly looking over. It's Ez and he has a worried look on his face.

“Hey babe. You okay?” He asks with a concerned tone just as everyone else comes and joins us at the table.

“Yeah, I just didn’t get much sleep last night.” I respond, popping the last bite into my mouth as he nods in response before turning and joining in on the conversation with everyone else.

After lunch, I head to the library in search of answers. Entering through the double doors, I head to the receptionist section. Stepping up, I notice the little old lady sitting there eating her fig bars. She looks up and smiles at me before she speaks.

“Hello dear. How can I help you?” She asks.

“Yes, hi. I was actually looking for information on a possible student?” I respond.

“Of course, dear. If you head over to the computers, you can pull open the digital yearbook and scan them. The digital files go back thirty years. Anything longer than that and you will need to check the archives in the back.” She states, pointing her finger towards the area listed as ‘Archives’ near the back.

I walk over to the computers, pull a chair out, and slide into it. Pulling up the browser, I search through the digital yearbooks, but I can’t find her nor a mention of anyone with her name. I guess I’ll have to check the archives. Exiting the browser, I collect my things and head over to the section that houses the physical yearbooks. I’ve walked each aisle scanning the shelves and still, I come up empty.

“Zova.” I hear my name being called, causing me to turn around but no one is there. Fuck my life. Please let me find what I need.

Turning right, I head down the next row and something on the floor catches my attention. I bend down and pick up the picture. It's another polaroid, except this time, there is a group of young men sitting around a table. They all wear shocked expressions looking in the direction of the person taking the photo. The word 'murderers’ is written below it. Hmm. Interesting. Maybe the librarian will know more. I head back over towards the front area but she’s no longer there.

“Hello? I could use some help.” There is nothing but silence as I look around for the woman.

The sound of books falling has me looking over my shoulder in the direction of the noise. “Is anyone there?” The lights begin to flicker and that’s enough of this shit. Heading towards the exit, the lights turn off and I freeze. “Who’s there? This isn’t fucking funny!” I listen for any sign of movement, but nothing. Everything is deathly still. After a few minutes, the lights all turn on, but there is still no sign of the lady.

“I’ve always hated that.” A small voice says from behind me, causing me to let out a scream.

Turning around I see a girl a little older than me standing there. Her uniform looks a little worn, like it's been washed one too many times. She has long curly black hair, green eyes and freckles. I stare at her for a minute. Where did she come from? I glance around the room.

“I didn’t hear you. Have you been here this whole time?” I ask her.

“Something like that.” She smiles before looking down at my hand clutching the photo.

“Where did you get that?” She points to my hand. What should I say? She seems a little odd, but maybe she knows something that could help.

“It was lying on the floor in the archives. I was trying to find information on someone.” I say but she just has a blank look on her face.

“Who is the someone? Maybe I can help.” She smiles.

“Lina St. Tomas.” I state.

“Why do you want to know about her?” She asks, cocking her head to the side, eyeing me suspiciously.

“I found a picture of her in my room at Xi Phi Delta.” I answer, switching my stance, shifting my weight to my other leg.

“You found a picture in your room and thought you would go search for this stranger?” She asks mockingly and I can tell she doesn’t believe me.

“Well, when you put it that way,” I start but shake my head. “Yeah, something like that.” I don’t even know this chick, so what’s up with all the questions?

“I take it you didn’t find what you were looking for?” She questions and I nod in response.

She looks at me like she is trying to see through me. This chick is weird and I’m ready to go. I go to walk away when she tells me to “wait a second” and I turn back towards her.

“You said St. Tomas was her name? She is probably in the hidden archives. Follow me.”

She turns and heads to the area where I just came from and I follow behind her. She better not be up to something, but I feel like I’m supposed to follow her. We stop at a bookshelf. She stands there, shuffling some books, and the case makes a clicking sound before it opens. What the fuck is this secret spy shit?

She turns around and smiles at me. “Come on… this way.”

There’s a light coming from beneath the stairs. Following her down, we reach the bottom and I take a look around. It's cold and damp down here and looks as if this place was built years ago. Looking over to the left, I see filing cabinets and head to take a look. Pulling open the drawer closest to me, I scan the files. There has to be at least two hundred in here. Opening the next one I find the same, and they look like it goes back centuries based on the faded, worn folders.

How did she know about this place? “Hey, I forgot to get your name.” I turn, but she’s no longer there. I look around the room, but there’s no sign of her anywhere. Where did she go?

Scanning the cabinet marked with S-T, I pull open the drawer and look for St. Tomas. There’s only two in here, so I grab both. Turning, I head over to the table and dust off the chair before sitting down. Placing the worn papers on the desk, I look them over. The first one I opened was Lina’s. She did attend here. Around twenty years ago. There’s some newspaper clippings in here and I pick them up. The first one mentions her and the sorority girls outside Xi.

The second one is an article on her death, saying she committed suicide due to the pressure of school. Picking up the next folder, I open it and scan through it. It's about a girl named Valentina. She was the older sister of Lina who also attended here, but went missing two years before Lina’s arrival. Picking the folders up, I walk back over and put them back where I got them from. Just as I slide the drawer closed, I notice a polaroid lying on the floor. Bending down, I pick it up and turn it over.

What the fuck is happening? Is this some kind of prank?

Written on the bottom is the name, ‘Valentina St. Tomas’. My heart begins beating rapidly as I take in the girl in the photo. There in the picture, looking back, is the same girl who brought me down here.

“I have so much to tell you, Zova.” All the hair on my body stands on end as I turn towards the voice coming from behind me.