Whispers of Unity High – Episode 2: Shadows in the Staffroom
The morning after the note, Mara walked through the school corridors feeling like someone had replaced her normal shoes with bricks. Her chest was heavy. Students rushed past, laughing, gossiping, moving like nothing strange was happening around them. But Mara knew better now.
Unity High was hiding something. And she was somehow tangled in it.
Jude found her at break time near the old assembly hall. He didn’t smile. “There’s something you need to hear,” he said, jerking his head toward the east wing. “Meet me by the Biology lab at 4 p.m. Sharp.”
She nodded silently.
The After-School Shadow
At exactly 4 p.m., Mara stood nervously outside the dusty Biology lab. The hallways were mostly empty, just a few prefects patrolling and a junior class doing cleaning duty. Jude appeared a minute later, backpack slung across his shoulder.
“We need to be quiet,” he whispered. “The staffroom in the old admin block—it’s not used anymore. Or so they say. But I’ve seen certain teachers go in after school.”
“Why would they go to an abandoned staffroom?” Mara asked.
“That’s what we’re about to find out.”
They crept past the walkway near the back of the labs, Jude leading the way with surprising confidence. Mara followed, her heart pounding. When they reached the old staffroom, the corridor was dimly lit. The door was half open.
Jude signaled for silence and pulled out his phone. He placed it near the door, voice recorder activated, then gently nudged the door open just a little more.
Inside, several voices were talking. Teachers. She recognized the voice of Mr. Lawal, her Economics teacher.
“It’s been five years. No students suspect a thing. The Circle died with the last batch—this shouldn’t be brought up again.”
“We don’t have a choice,” said another voice. “The signs are returning. Notes. Inquiries. That transfer girl already got a warning.”
“Then maybe it’s time we restart the Circle—quietly. For control.”
Mara’s eyes widened. She turned to Jude who looked just as stunned.
The Circle Lives?
They moved away quickly before someone noticed them. Once safely near the sickbay fence, Jude stopped to catch his breath.
“Did you hear that?” he asked, voice shaking.
“They know about me,” Mara whispered. “They mentioned me.”
Jude replayed the recording on low volume. The words were real. The Circle, whatever it was, wasn’t just student gossip. It was something the teachers were involved in.
“I thought the Circle was just a rumor,” Jude said. “Back then, some students believed it was a secret group—teachers and prefects choosing who gets punished, who gets protected, who wins awards. Like a shadow government in the school.”
“But it’s still going on?”
“No… it sounds like it’s being revived.”
Confrontation at Dusk
That evening, as the sky darkened, Mara was called to the staffroom—this time, the current one.
Mrs. Ojo, the senior counselor, sat behind her desk, hands folded. “Mariam,” she said calmly, “how are you settling in?”
“I’m fine,” Mara replied cautiously.
“We’ve received reports that you’ve been… exploring areas not meant for students. It’s best to focus on your studies and avoid distractions.”
Mara blinked. “I wasn’t aware any area was off-limits.”
Mrs. Ojo leaned forward slightly. “Unity High has its systems. We expect students to follow them.”
As Mara turned to leave, the counselor added, “And if someone is filling your head with wild stories, perhaps you should reconsider who you trust.”
They’re Watching
Back in her dorm, Mara shared the incident with Jude.
“They’re on to us,” she said. “We need to move carefully.”
Jude nodded. “We’ll need proof. Real proof. Whatever the Circle is, it didn’t end. And I think… it controls this school in ways we’ve never imagined.”
Mara stared at her reflection in the dorm window. The darkness outside seemed to press against the glass like a warning.
Unity High wasn’t just haunted by secrets.
It was run by them.
To be continued…
Next Episode: Episode 3 The Missing Senior
Previous Episode 1: The Transfer Note
