The Lost Students
Chapter Twelve: Despair
His body hung from the ceiling, suspended by an old rope.
Everyone froze in place, the shock painted clearly across their faces.
Adam, trying to keep his composure:
"Looks like… we're not alone here."
Harun wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and said tensely:
"Standing here won't save us. We need to find a way out."
Despite the fear gleaming in their eyes, they began searching the hall. In one of the drawers, Adam found an old videotape.
"Is there a way to play this? A computer, or maybe a TV?" he asked, turning the tape in his hands.
Narjes replied quickly:
"There's a computer in the school library."
"Good. Let's keep searching—maybe we'll find something else useful."
Outside, Fatima was still tied to a chair in front of the hall, worry etched into her face as she wondered what was happening inside. Minutes later, Khadija stepped out, her face dark with frustration.
"Who was inside that hall?" Fatima asked.
"Is there someone else here besides you?" Fatima pressed, suspicion in her voice.
Khadija didn't answer. Instead, she shoved the chair hard. Fatima crashed onto the ground.
"You witch! I know you're involved in his death! Were you going to do the same to me?!" Khadija shouted, her eyes blazing with madness.
"I don't understand what you're talking about!" Fatima protested, trying to get up.
But Khadija didn't give her the chance—she began kicking her mercilessly. In desperation, Fatima bit her leg, forcing Khadija to stumble back in pain. Both women ended up on the floor, writhing in anger and agony.
Hearing the commotion, the others rushed out of the hall.
Narjes, furious:
"What are you two doing?!"
Fatima, breathless:
"She started it! Get me out of this chair!"
Khadija staggered to her feet, her voice sharp with accusation:
"Fatima was here before us. I'm certain she's working for some secret organization! That's my conclusion!"
Hani, hesitantly:
"Maybe… she's right."
Fatima, shouting:
"You idiots! I'm just like you!"
Khadija sneered:
"Then why did you hide the existence of that hall? Because it had your victim's body, didn't it?"
Salma, nervously:
"Her words make sense… Fatima's not one of us."
Before things could escalate, Adam barked at them:
"We have this tape—it might explain everything! Stop accusing people without proof!"
Khadija, with a mocking smile:
"Why defend her? Maybe you're one of them too!"
Adam, frowning:
"Why not you? You're the one sowing chaos and ruining every attempt to cooperate!"
Louay, stepping in:
"Enough! What's wrong with you all? Has despair driven you this far?"
Silence fell for a moment. Then Ammar quietly walked to the door, hands in his pockets.
"Chaos… Let me know when you've made up your minds."
A heavy silence lingered. Adam finally untied Fatima, who thanked him faintly, and everyone left without another word.
From behind, Khadija's voice rang out:
"Fools! Adam and Fatima are deceiving you! You'll fall straight into the abyss if you trust them!"
As they walked toward the library, Louay recounted what had happened earlier between Ammar and Ziad.
"They fought… and Ziad was holding a knife."
Adam, concerned:
"Our trust in each other is falling apart… and with Ziad, it'll only get worse."
They finally reached the library. They inserted the tape into the computer and gathered around the screen, the air thick with tension.
The video began.
A pale, trembling face appeared on the screen, speaking in a broken, desperate voice:
"Hello… If you're watching this, listen carefully. Don't think about leaving the school. Outside… there are dangerous creatures. But this school is safe—they can't get in. Stay here… accept your new life.
My friends died because they wanted to escape… and now I'm alone.
But there's something worse than the creatures… a boy… or something that looks like a boy… but isn't.
It can mess with your mind… drive you insane. If you hear its words… it'll take you.
I… I'm tired. I can't live here alone anymore."
The video ended.
A suffocating silence followed. Pale faces. Heavy breathing. It was as if something inside each of them had cracked.
Fatima stood slowly, whispering:
"If you hadn't opened that hall… everything would've been fine."
She opened the library door and left.
Adam, somberly:
"At least… we know the truth now."
Harun, snapping:
"Truth? This is nonsense! Some sick game—someone's pulling the strings behind those cameras!"
A low, mocking laugh cut through the air. They turned to see Ziad leaning against the doorframe, a strange smile on his face.
"You guys have watched way too many sci-fi movies."
Harun lunged toward him, but Louay grabbed his arm.
"Stop! He might have a knife!"
Ziad raised his empty hands.
"Relax… I'm not carrying anything. Not right now."
Adam, exasperated:
"Enough! You were just about to execute Fatima, and now you want another fight?!"
Everyone sighed in frustration and began leaving the library.
As he walked past, Ammar leaned close to Ziad and whispered coldly:
"Come near me again… and I'll kill you."
Moments later, Khadija appeared, her anger still simmering. Ziad stepped in her path.
"What do you want?" she asked impatiently.
"Tell me… where did you find the tape?"
"I don't even know what's on it!"
Ziad smirked… then crushed the tape under his foot.
"Just garbage."
… To be continued