Whispers of Unity High – Episode 3: The Missing Senior
The morning sun spilled across Unity High’s lawns, but to Mara, the campus felt darker than ever. Even the laughter of students in matching uniforms sounded false, like actors reading lines in a play. She couldn’t stop thinking about what she’d heard in the abandoned staffroom.
“The Circle,” she whispered to herself. The words carried weight, as if speaking them aloud might summon trouble.
Whispers in the Library
At lunch, Jude found her under the mango trees near the science block. “Mara, listen. Have you heard about Sarah Ukeje?”
Mara shook her head. “Who’s that?”
“She was a senior prefect two years ago. Super smart, popular… and apparently, she’s gone missing. Right before her university matriculation.”
Mara blinked. “Gone missing? As in kidnapped?”
Jude lowered his voice. “Nobody knows. But there’s a rumor she tried to expose the Circle. People say she was collecting evidence.”
Mara felt a chill run through her spine. “Do you think the teachers—”
“I don’t know,” Jude said quickly. “But I know where we can look for answers.”
After school, they slipped into the library, dodging the librarian’s sharp eyes. In the back, behind rows of dusty encyclopedias, was a door labeled Restricted Section – Staff Only.
“It’s always locked,” Mara whispered.
“Not today.” Jude held up a borrowed key he’d “found” in the custodian’s office.
Mara gasped. “Jude, you’ll get expelled.”
“Only if we get caught.”
The Book of Names
Inside, the restricted section smelled of old paper and secrets. Shelves towered over them, filled with registers, files, and ancient textbooks. Jude scanned the spines until he pulled out a thick, maroon leather book with a faded gold title: Unity High – Student Records & Disciplinary Reports.
He flipped it open. Page after page listed names, punishments, merits, and secret comments in cramped handwriting. Then Jude stopped on one page and pointed. “Look.”
There was Sarah Ukeje’s name, highlighted in yellow. Next to it, written in red ink: Attempted disclosure of confidential activities. Immediate monitoring recommended. Possible transfer.
“Confidential activities?” Mara whispered. “That’s the Circle.”
“It gets weirder.” Jude turned the page, revealing a list of students connected to Sarah. Mara felt her stomach flip when she saw her own name written there — in bold letters.
“Why am I on the list?” she demanded.
Jude swallowed. “Maybe because you’re the new transfer. Or… maybe because they think you’ll keep digging.”
A Teacher’s Secret Visit
They put the book back and slipped out of the restricted section. As they exited, Mara froze. Standing near the library entrance was Mr. Lawal, her Economics teacher. He stared at them, his face unreadable.
“Mariam. Jude. What were you doing back there?”
“Just… looking for a textbook,” Jude stammered.
Mr. Lawal’s eyes narrowed. “I hope you two know which boundaries should never be crossed at Unity High.”
He turned and walked away, leaving Mara trembling.
Pieces of a Vanished Life
That night, Mara lay awake in her dorm bed, replaying everything in her head. Sarah Ukeje — smart, confident, and now missing. The Circle. The hidden records. And the fact that her own name was listed in a secret file.
She finally picked up her phone and messaged Jude: “I need to know what happened to Sarah. We have to find her.”
Jude replied almost immediately. “Tomorrow, let’s talk to someone who knew her well. I heard Sarah’s best friend is still here. Her name’s Nnenna.”
As Mara set her phone down, she stared out the window. The school bell had long since fallen silent, but in the distance, the wind carried faint echoes, as though Unity High itself was whispering secrets too dangerous to be spoken aloud.
To be continued…
Next Episode Preview
In Episode 4:
Episode 4: Operation Night Bell: Mara and Jude are almost caught sneaking into the hall at night after a strange bell rings long after lights-out. They find coded documents and strange names — including a current teacher who was once expelled but mysteriously rehired.
Previously on Episode 2: Shadows in the Staffroom
