chapter thirteen

The Unknown Caller

Jason kept his gaze on the student standing across the hallway, a flicker of recognition in his eyes. The boy seemed ordinary enough—tall, slender, wearing a faded school uniform—but there was something in the way he stared at Jason, an intensity that made Jason uneasy. Was he the one sending those cryptic messages?

Before Jason could approach him, the boy turned on his heel and disappeared into the crowded hallway. Jason felt a surge of frustration. He was surrounded by people, yet he felt like he was being isolated in this game Ethan was playing. He knew he needed answers, and fast.

As Jason stepped out of the school building, he received another message from the unknown number.

[Unknown Number: Meet me at the old café on Elm Street. If you want to know what Ethan's really planning, come alone.]

Jason’s jaw clenched. He couldn’t ignore this message; whoever this person was, they seemed to have insights into Ethan’s moves. He quickly flagged down a cab, his mind ra