Page 25 of Dig Your Grave

I typed quickly:

At the Howler’s archives, looking into older suicides.

He responded almost immediately:

Go to your dorm.Now.Big commotion.Police might be looking for you.

My blood ran cold.Immediately, I thought:Did Sophie manipulate something already?Or maybe the admin found out I was poking around sensitive topics.

I fumbled, stuffing the folders back in the box, carefully returning it to the shelf.Then I flicked off the light, locked the door, and all but sprinted out of the building.Kate was gone, the main office dark.My footsteps echoed in the deserted corridor.

Outside, the campus lights shone like beacons, revealing a small cluster of campus security vehicles near the main walkway.My heart hammered as I ducked behind a hedge, uncertain if they were waiting for me or dealing with something else.I saw two officers talking to a faculty member, but couldn’t make out their words.

I circled around, slipping through a side path.My mind whirled with worst-case scenarios.Maybe Harry had tried to run a story prematurely, or maybe Sophie decided to frame me for something.Either way, trouble was close.

Reaching my dorm, I quickly scanned my ID to unlock the door, dashed up the stairwell to my floor, and pressed myself against the wall, breathing hard.The hallway was calm, though I heard murmured voices from somewhere below.My door was at the far end.

Cautiously, I approached and swiped my keycard.The lock clicked.I pushed the door open, stepping into darkness.I flipped the overhead light.Everything seemed in place—my laptop on the desk, bed still messy from the morning.But my skin prickled.Something felt off.

I closed the door behind me and turned the deadbolt.Then I jumped when my phone buzzed in my pocket again.Another text from Anubis.

Stay in your room.Don’t talk to them.I’ll explain soon.

Them—the police, presumably.I sank onto my bed, adrenaline thrumming in my veins.Flicking the lamp on, I noticed a folded piece of paper on the pillow.My heart lurched.

I recognized the neat script:

We expect an answer soon.—S.M.

Sophie Mence had been in my dorm room while I was gone.The realization cut like a knife.How did she get in?She was the Dean’s daughter.She probably had access to a master key or could manipulate staff.

I stared at the note, mind spinning.She was proving a point.She could reach me anywhere.If that was meant to scare me, it was working.

The hours crawled by.Outside, I heard distant doors open and shut, occasional voices in the hallway.I glimpsed a campus security officer leaning against the wall near the elevator, as if stationed on my floor.Probably waiting for me to leave so they could question me.But I refused to budge.

Finally, at 12:02 a.m., my phone rang—Anubis.I snatched it up, pressing it to my ear.

“Hey,” I whispered, as if the officer outside might overhear.“What’s going on?”

His voice was low and urgent.“They’re investigating an incident at the donor event.A woman collapsed after drinking champagne.Some say it’s a drugging or poison.The police want to talk to anyone who might have left the party early or had access to the bar area.”

I rubbed my forehead.“Why me?”

“Because one of the staff told them you and I were skulking around the lounge earlier.They think you might’ve seen something.Sophie’s behind this, no doubt.It’s a small push to keep you in line.”His frustration crackled through the phone.“Just hold tight.I convinced them you were with me until 5:30 p.m., so they have no direct timeline linking you to the party.Do not open your door.In the morning, they’ll calm down.Or I’ll see to it.”

My breath trembled.“So, someone was hurt?”

“A donor.She’s stable now, but there’s a big hush around the circumstances.Sophie and my father are spinning it as an allergic reaction.But it’s suspicious.This is how they keep everyone on edge.”

I shivered, recalling the black files in that annex.“God.This is insane.”

His tone softened.“I know.Are you safe?”

I glanced at the ominous note from Sophie on my pillow.“Yes,” I lied, not wanting him to panic.“I’m locked in.No plans to go anywhere.”

“Good.I’ll come by tomorrow morning, if you’re okay with that.”

I nodded, then realized he couldn’t see.“Yes, please.”

---