The Vanishing Truth

Episode 5: The Vanishing Truth

Sora stood rooted in place, her heart hammering against her ribs. The shadowy figure—Raven, or someone who looked just like him—had disappeared into thin air.

She swallowed hard. Had she imagined it? The whispers, the eerie presence, the black rose—were they all tricks of her own mind?

No. The book in her trembling hands was real. The note inside, in Raven’s handwriting, was real.

"Not all memories should be remembered."

What did he mean?

She had to find out.

Taking a deep breath, she stuffed the note into her coat pocket and clutched the book tightly. The musty scent of old paper filled her nose as she hurried down the spiral staircase, her footsteps echoing in the empty library.

She needed answers. And there was only one person who could help her.

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The night air was crisp as Sora stepped out of the abandoned library. The streets of Blackthorn University were eerily silent, the streetlights casting long shadows. The black rose was still in her grasp, its petals smooth yet cold.

She quickened her pace, heading toward the dormitories. Her best friend, Mina, was the only person who wouldn’t call her crazy for what she had just witnessed.

Within minutes, she reached Mina’s dorm. She knocked hurriedly.

No response.

She knocked again, harder.

Still nothing.

A sinking feeling crept into her stomach. Mina had texted her earlier, saying she would be studying late, but she should have been back by now.

Sora hesitated for a moment before turning the knob. To her relief, the door was unlocked.

She stepped inside.

The room was dark except for the soft glow of Mina’s desk lamp. Books and notes were scattered across the bed. The air smelled faintly of vanilla—Mina’s favorite scented candles. But something felt… off.

Then she saw it.

A letter, neatly placed on Mina’s pillow.

Her pulse quickened as she picked it up. The envelope was unmarked, the paper inside smooth and crisp.

The message was short.

“You’re asking too many questions, Sora. Stop now, or you’ll regret it.”

No signature. No explanation. Just a warning.

A chill ran down her spine.

Who had left this? And why in Mina’s room?

Was Mina safe?

A sudden rustling sound came from the bathroom.

Sora whipped around, her breath caught in her throat. The door was slightly ajar, the dim light flickering inside.

She took a cautious step forward.

“Mina?” she called softly.

No answer.

Another step.

The floor creaked under her weight as she reached the door and slowly pushed it open.

The light flickered again.

Her blood turned cold.

The mirror above the sink was covered in something dark. Words were smeared across it in what looked like black ink—

“Remember me.”

Sora staggered back.

Her mind raced.

Who was behind this? Was it Raven? Or someone else?

Suddenly, her phone buzzed in her pocket, making her jump.

She fumbled for it and checked the screen.

Unknown number.

With trembling fingers, she answered.

“Sora.”

A voice she hadn’t heard in a long time. A voice that should have been impossible.

A voice that sent chills down her spine.

It was Raven.

But he had been missing for months.

“R-Raven?” she whispered.

Silence.

Then, in a voice barely above a whisper, he spoke.

“You shouldn’t have found the book.”

And then—

The call disconnected.

Sora’s fingers tightened around the phone as her heart pounded against her ribs.

The warnings. The shadows. The black rose.

Something was very, very wrong.

And she was already in too deep.

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