Sophia's Warning

The FBI agents dragged Sophia toward the exit, but she twisted free with surprising power. Before anyone could stop her, she lunged toward Alex and Ethan's table.

"They're coming for all of you!" she hissed, her eyes wild. "You think this is over? It's just beginning!"

Two agents grabbed her arms, but Sophia kept fighting.

"Listen to me, Alex! Professor Reed isn't who you think he is!"

The dining hall exploded in chaos. Parents grabbed their children, security rushed to block exits, and the dean desperately tried to calm everyone down.

"Please remain seated! Everything is under control!" Dean Phillips shouted into the microphone, but his voice shook.

Mrs. Harrison clutched her husband's arm. "What on earth is happening? Who is that woman?"

Alex couldn't answer. His ears were ringing with Sophia's words: little brother. It had to be a mind game. His sister had died years ago in that fire. Hadn't she?

Ethan reached for Alex's hand under the table. "We need to get out of here," he whispered.

"I'm staying with you," Alex declared, squeezing Ethan's hand.

As the agents finally dragged Sophia away, she locked eyes with Alex one last time. "Check his office! Reed has the files!"

Then she was gone.

The dinner continued in tense silence. No one mentioned the FBI agents or the strange woman who'd been taken. It was as if everyone wanted to pretend this was still a normal Family Weekend.

"Maybe we should head back to the hospital," Dr. Harrison suggested, eyeing Ethan's pale face with worry.

"No," Ethan said strongly. "I'm fine. Let's finish dinner."

But Alex couldn't eat. Sophia's warning about Professor Reed kept replaying in his thoughts. Reed had been his best teacher, the only professor who truly believed in his art. Could he really be involved in all this?

After dinner, as they walked back toward Ethan's room, Emily pulled Alex aside.

"We need to talk," she whispered. "Now."

"I can't just leave Ethan—"

"This is about what Sophia said. About Reed."

Alex paused, then turned to Ethan. "I need to talk to Emily for a minute. Will you be okay with your parents?"

Ethan nodded, though Alex could see worry in his eyes. "Be careful."

As soon as they were alone, Emily grabbed Alex's arm. "Jasmine found something. Reed's office was broken into last night."

"What? Why didn't you tell me earlier?"

"Because we just found out. The campus police kept it quiet." Emily looked around nervously. "Jasmine is there now, looking around."

"Are you crazy? It's a crime scene!"

"The police already finished. Besides, Jasmine's roommate works in security. She let her in."

Alex's heart beat. "What's she looking for?"

"The files Sophia mentioned. Come on."

They rushed across campus to the Arts Building. Most students were at Family Weekend events, so the halls were eerily quiet. The door to Professor Reed's office stood slightly ajar, yellow police tape across the frame.

"Jasmine?" Emily called softly as they ducked under the tape.

The office was a mess. Books spread everywhere, drawers emptied, computer smashed. And in the middle of it all stood Jasmine, holding a manila box.

"You need to see this," she said, her voice shaking.

Alex took the folder. Inside were photos—dozens of them. Students from their university, but also other schools. Each picture had a name and date written on the back.

And each kid had gone missing.

"What is this?" Alex whispered.

"Look at the last page," Jasmine pushed.

Alex turned to the final sheet. It was a list of names, with check marks beside most of them. His name was there, unchecked. So was Ethan's. And Emily's.

And Noah's name had been crossed out.

"Reed's been tracking us," Emily said. "But why?"

Before Alex could answer, his phone buzzed with a text from Ethan: Where are you? Parents went back to hotel. We need to talk.

"I have to go," Alex said. "Ethan's waiting."

"Take the folder," Jasmine urged. "And be careful. If Reed is working with Ms. Vickers and the rest of them—"

"I know." Alex tucked the folder into his jacket. "Meet me tomorrow at the art exhibition. We'll figure this out together."

He rushed back to Ethan's dorm, thoughts racing. Could Professor Reed—the man who'd supported his art career, who'd given him a scholarship—really be part of this conspiracy?

Ethan was sitting on his bed when Alex arrived, looking tired but determined.

"Hey," Alex said softly. "How are you feeling?"

"Like someone shot me," Ethan tried a smile. "But that's not important right now. We need to talk about Sophia. And what she called you."

Alex sank onto the bed beside him. "She's playing mind games. My sister died years ago."

"Did you ever see her body?"

The question hit Alex like a punch. "No. There was a fire. They said... they couldn't recover... much."

"Alex, what if she faked her death? What if she's been working with these people all along?"

"But why would she do that? We were close. She practically raised me after our parents died."

Ethan took Alex's hand. "I don't know. But we need answers." He nodded toward Alex's jacket. "What's that?"

Slowly, Alex pulled out the folder and showed Ethan its contents. As Ethan flipped through the photos, his face got darker.

"Reed's been watching us? All this time?"

"Looks like it." Alex pointed to the list. "And whatever they're planning, it's not over."

Ethan struggled to stand. "We have to warn the others. If Reed is targeting students—"

"Ethan, you need rest. The doctor said—"

"I don't care what the doctor said!" Ethan's voice rose. "People are in danger. We can't just—"

Suddenly, Ethan's phone lit up with a text. His face went pale as he read it.

"What is it?" Alex asked.

"It's from Noah's number," Ethan whispered.

Alex froze. "But Noah's..."

"Dead. I know." Ethan showed Alex the screen.

Meet me in Reed's office. I'm living. Come alone or they'll kill me again.

Alex felt sick. "It has to be a trap."

"Of course it's a trap," Ethan agreed. "But it's also our only lead." He tried to stand again but winced in pain.

"You're not going anywhere," Alex maintained. "I'll go."

"Not alone you won't."

"Yes, alone." Alex touched Ethan's face gently. "I won't risk losing you again."

Before Ethan could argue, Alex kissed him quickly. "I'll be back, I promise."

"Alex, wait—"

But Alex was already out the door, the folder clutched tightly in his hand. He texted Emily and Jasmine as he walked: Emergency. Reed's office. Now.

The art building was dark when he arrived, most of the rooms locked for the night. But Reed's studio door stood open, a faint light burning inside.

Alex took a big breath and stepped in.

The room was empty except for a single figure standing by the window, back turned, familiar sandy hair catching the moonlight.

"Noah?" Alex called, voice shaking.

The figure turned, and Alex gasped. It was Noah's face, but the cold smile didn't belong to his friend.

"Hello, Alex," said Professor Reed's voice from Noah's face. "I've been waiting for you."

Behind Alex, the door slammed shut and locked.