The sky was bright, a striking contrast to the darkness and dampness of the previous town. The vast estate of Herbert Wilbur stretched endlessly before them, its old buildings looming like relics from a forgotten era. Though the lawns were wide and perfectly trimmed, there was a hollow silence that made the school seem abandoned. Only a few students passed occasionally, their footsteps echoing faintly on the stone paths, adding to the eeriness of the place.
At the center of the large lawn sat Dana and Vanessa. Between them lay an air thick with unease, their conversation or rather, the lack of it speaking louder than words.
"So," Vanessa began, her tone sharp and unfriendly, "what's your big plan?"
She crossed one leg over the other, her dark eyes never leaving Dana's face. The two girls barely knew each other, yet they shared a single understanding: they both despised Gwen.
Dana didn't answer immediately. Her gaze was fixed on the empty dorm building ahead, eyes half-lidded with boredom as though she might drift off to sleep. Vanessa waited, trying not to show her impatience.
"Drive her insane," Dana finally said, her voice low but cutting.
Vanessa blinked, confused. "Drive her insane?" she repeated, tilting her head as her fingers absentmindedly twirled a strand of her coily midnight hair. "How's that supposed to happen?"
It was well-known that Gwen was quick to anger, fiery even but also strong enough to strike back twice as hard. Trying to provoke her could easily backfire.
"It's easy," Dana said. "We don't have to do anything to her directly."
Her words dripped with venom. The hatred in her tone deepened with every second she spoke. A slow, sinister smile stretched across her lips one that promised quiet destruction.
"We just need something to get to her," she continued.
Her eyes darkened for a moment, but then, as if remembering herself, she straightened and put on a bright, friendly smile that looked almost innocent.
Vanessa frowned slightly, still confused at Dana's sudden mood shift. But realization dawned when she followed Dana's gaze.
"June!" Dana called out sweetly, waving her hand.
June, who was walking by, paused. Her face softened into a polite smile as she waved back—but she didn't move closer. Her eyes had already caught sight of Vanessa sitting beside Dana, and that alone was enough to keep her distance.
Vanessa smirked faintly. "So she's the bait," she murmured under her breath.
Dana didn't answer, but the look in her eyes said enough.
---
"Hance," came a sharp, commanding voice.
The office was dimly lit, the single lamp casting long shadows over the piles of papers and old books. Principal Diamandis sat behind her heavy oak desk, her posture perfect, her sleek blonde hair tied neatly behind her head. Her expression, however, was far from calm.
"You said you were certain it was him," she said icily, her tone heavy with both anger and disappointment.
"I could have sworn it was him," Mr. Hance replied defensively, sweat gathering near his temple. "Everything matched the pattern, the timing, even the signs—"
"And since when," Diamandis interrupted, leaning back in her chair, "did the Phantom Lord begin leaving these walls?"
Her voice dripped with sarcasm, her fingers tapping impatiently against the table.
"It—"
"You can leave."
Her cold dismissal cut through his words like a blade.
Mr. Hance hesitated, but one look at her face told him not to argue. He gave a short bow and left the office, the door closing behind him with a faint click.
The hallway outside was empty and eerily quiet, its white walls gleaming under the weak fluorescent lights. As Hance walked down, his footsteps echoed faintly, the sound following him like a whisper.
He wasn't convinced.
If Allan wasn't the Phantom Lord, then no one else could be.
He had checked every lead, traced every pattern, and followed every trail from the missing student to the strange disturbances at night. Everything pointed to the same person.
Everything pointed to him.
---
"Mum?" Elaine's voice trembled.
She was still holding onto Allan's hand, her eyes wide in disbelief. The world seemed to freeze for a moment.
Her mother stood at the doorway, her expression mirroring Elaine's shock. The faint smell of soup and freshly cooked food wafted out from the house, mixing with the crisp afternoon air.
"Elaine?" her mother called, her voice soft but uncertain, as if afraid the girl in front of her might vanish if she blinked.
"Mum," Elaine repeated quietly.
Her chest tightened, a thousand words stuck in her throat all at once. She could feel Allan's hand warm in hers, grounding her, but that only made her more anxious.
Her mother's gaze shifted slowly to Allan, taking in his calm, unreadable expression. Her brows furrowed slightly.
"What are you doing here?.And who is this?" she asked, her tone no longer unsure but carefully measured, confusion still in them.
Elaine opened her mouth to speak, but her voice came out in a stammer. "Break. He's… he's a classmate, Mum. His name's Allan."
Allan frowned slightly at the formality she used, just 'classmates'.
Her mother's expression softened only slightly, though a lot of questions were in them, she decided to be hospitable and let them come in first.
"Well," she said quietly, "don't just stand there. Come inside."
Elaine exchanged a quick glance with Allan. There was something unspoken between them, something heavy yet strangely comforting.
As they stepped into the house, the door closed softly behind them, shutting out the bright world outside and leaving only the muted hum of the quiet home.