The air outside felt heavy, though the afternoon sun was bright and almost cheerful. I had just slipped away from class when I heard someone call my name.
"Racheal."
I turned. Erica was standing a few steps away, arms folded, her face carrying a mixture of concern and suspicion. She didn't smile like she usually did. Her eyes searched mine, and for a moment, my stomach twisted.
"What's going on?" she asked, walking closer. "I've been hearing things. A lot of things."
I frowned. "Things? About what?"
Her gaze hardened. "About you. About what happened in the office. About Margaret. About… the pranks. People are saying you're involved, Racheal. That you're behind all this mess."
My throat tightened. "Erica, you know me better than that. Why would I—"
"That's the thing," she cut in, her voice low but sharp. "I thought I knew you. But everywhere I turn, your name is there. In whispers, in gossip, in stares. You think I don't hear them? They're saying you've been hiding things. That you can't be trusted."
Her words struck harder than she knew. I shook my head quickly. "No. It's not true. People are twisting things. I'm not—" I stopped, realizing how desperate I sounded. "Erica, please. You have to believe me."
She sighed, her shoulders sinking, but the doubt in her eyes didn't fade. "I want to, Racheal. God knows I want to. But when the same story keeps coming from so many mouths… it's hard."
Silence stretched between us. Students walked past, their laughter and chatter feeling distant, like echoes from another world. All I could focus on was Erica's face—the hesitation there, the wall slowly building between us.
"You were the one person I thought I could rely on," she said finally, her voice softer now, almost breaking. "But right now, I don't know what's real and what's not. Maybe it's better if we… take some space."
My chest ached. "Erica, don't say that. Please. I need you—"
She looked away, blinking fast, as if fighting something back. Then she stepped back. "I'm sorry."
And just like that, she turned and walked away.
I stood frozen, watching her figure grow smaller, swallowed by the crowd.
The noise of the campus rushed back into my ears, but inside me, everything was quiet. Empty.
I sank down onto the nearest bench, staring at the ground. My thoughts raced in circles, colliding, spinning, never settling.
Was this what Mr. Unknown wanted? To strip me of everyone I trusted, one by one?
Or… was I really becoming the person the rumors painted me to be?
I buried my face in my hands, unable to answer either question.
All I knew was this—
I had just lost Erica.
And with her went a part of myself I wasn't sure I'd ever get back.
A distant laugh from the courtyard cut through the quiet, a harsh reminder that the world moved on, indifferent to the chaos it left in its wake. My heart clenched tighter. I realized I couldn't stay here forever. I needed answers. I needed a plan. But most of all, I needed to survive what was coming next.