Chapter 5 Vol.1

As I made my way back to the dormitory, my mind was still racing with thoughts and uncertainties. The events of the day had shaken me to the core, and I couldn't shake off the lingering feeling of unease. It was as if an invisible shadow followed my every move, lurking just out of sight. I quickened my pace, hoping to outrun the paranoia that gripped me.

Entering the dormitory, I found solace in the familiar sight of my room. The calm and orderly space offered a momentary respite from the chaos outside. I took a deep breath, attempting to steady my racing heart. The cream-colored walls seemed to whisper reassurances, reminding me of a semblance of normalcy that once existed.

I sat down on the edge of my neatly made bed, the weight of the day's events settling upon me. The encounters with Abigail and Olivia, the enigmatic Sir Ray, and the mysterious man—they all intertwined in a perplexing web of questions. Who was behind this experiment? What were their motives? And most importantly, how did I fit into their grand design?

Lost in my thoughts, I was jolted back to reality by the insistent buzz of my phone. I retrieved it from my pocket and saw a message from John, my chess partner. He wanted to meet at the school park for another intense match. Despite the tumultuous day, I couldn't deny the allure of a friendly competition. A moment of respite from the enigma that surrounded me.

"I'm on my way," I texted back to John, a hint of determination in my words. I needed a distraction, a temporary escape from the overwhelming uncertainty. Maybe engaging in a battle of wits on the chessboard would help clear my mind.

As I left the room and closed the door behind me, I found myself face to face with a figure from my past. The familiarity of his silhouette tugged at my memories, stirring up emotions long forgotten. It was Mika, my childhood friend, the one who used to share laughter and adventures in the kindergarten playground.

"Mika," I exclaimed, a mixture of surprise and delight in my voice. Memories of our innocent escapades flooded my mind, transporting me back to a time when life was simpler and filled with unbridled imagination. But there was something different about him, something that piqued my curiosity.

"Do you remember me?" Mika asked, his eyes gleaming with a glimmer of nostalgia. His presence evoked a sense of comfort, as if a missing piece of my past had suddenly resurfaced.

A smile spread across my face as I nodded. "Of course, I remember you, Mika. It's been a while," I replied warmly. The reunion with my childhood friend felt like a small ray of light amidst the darkness that enveloped my current reality.

Curiosity sparked within me, and I couldn't resist asking, "What brings you here, Mika? How did you know where to find me?" The mystery of his sudden appearance intrigued me, and I was eager to uncover his reasons for seeking me out.

Mika chuckled, a hint of sheepishness coloring his voice. "I heard someone mentioning a person with curly blond hair in the hallway, and I had a hunch it was you. I wasn't stalking you or anything," he reassured me, his laughter contagious.

I playfully rolled my eyes, savoring the lighthearted banter. "Well, I'm glad your detective skills led you to the right person," I teased, relishing the simplicity of our conversation. In a world shrouded in uncertainty, the presence of a familiar friend offered a glimmer of stability.

As we walked together towards the park, memories intertwined with the present, and the weight of the day seemed to lift, if only momentarily. Little did I know that this encounter would set in motion a chain of events that would unravel the secrets of our school and plunge us into a journey beyond our wildest imaginations.