The Crestwood Academy

Chapter 2: The Forbidden Fourth Floor

The teacher's stern voice reverberated through the corridor, causing Nooram and Motha to freeze in their tracks. Nooram momentarily clouded his thoughts, and he struggled to find a response. Motha, on the other hand, assessed the situation.

With a calm yet slightly nervous tone, Motha stepped forward, his glasses glinting under the hallway lights. "Apologies, sir. We were looking for our friend, Rashid. We thought he might be on the fourth floor."

The teacher's stern expression softened slightly as he listened to Motha's explanation. Folding his arms across his chest, he regarded the two friends with a mix of suspicion and concern. "The fourth floor is strictly off-limits to students. If your friend is up there, he's disobeying the rules."

Nooram, his confusion subsiding, interjected with genuine worry in his voice. "But we can't find Rashid anywhere else, sir. We thought he might have gone up there by mistake. Is he in trouble?"

The teacher's gaze softened further, recognizing the genuine concern in Nooram's voice. He let out a sigh and uncrossed his arms. "I understand your worry, but the fourth floor is a restricted area for a reason. It's not safe for students to wander there. I haven't seen Rashid, but I'll make sure to check with the staff and notify them of his absence."

Motha nodded appreciatively, his mind already working on a plan. "Thank you, sir. We just want to make sure he's okay. If there's anything we can do to assist, please let us know."The teacher's stern expression softened into a faint smile. "I appreciate your concern for your friend. For now, I suggest you both return to your dormitory. If Rashid is found, I will inform you immediately."

Nooram and Motha nodded in unison, their determination undeterred. As they walked away from the scene, their minds raced with thoughts and possibilities. They knew they couldn't simply wait for information to come to them; they had to take action.

Once they were out of earshot, Nooram turned to Motha with a determined look. "Motha, we can't just sit around. We need to find Rashid ourselves. We'll start by asking other students discreetly if they've seen him."

Motha nodded, appreciating Nooram's drive. "You're right, Nooram. Let's gather information without drawing too much attention. Rashid's safety is our priority."

With a shared sense of purpose, Nooram and Motha discreetly approached students, asking if they had seen their missing friend or heard any rumors about his whereabouts. Nooram's straightforward and friendly nature made it easy for him to strike up conversations, while Motha's keen observational skills allowed him to discern hidden emotions and potential leads.

After talking to several students, they learned that Rashid had been seen heading towards the sports field earlier that day. Nooram and Motha's hope renewed, and they quickened their pace, making their way to the sprawling grounds where the students engaged in various athletic activities.

As they reached the sports field, their eyes scanned the area, searching for any sign of Rashid. But to their dismay, there was no trace of their friend amidst the crowd of students engaged in various sports. Nooram's brow furrowed, his worry deepening.

Motha looked around and noticed Areej and Amir, whispering to each other. Curiosity piqued, Nooram and Motha approached them, hoping to gather more information.

Areej, having noticed their presence, greeted them with a friendly smile. "Hey, Nooram, Motha! Are you looking for Rashid too?"

Nooram's eyes widened. "You've seen Rashid? Where is he?"

Areej shook her head apologetically. "I haven't seen him directly, but some students mentioned that they saw Rashid near the bleachers earlier. They said he seemed worried and headed towards the west wing of the school."

Motha's quickly processed the information. "The west wing? That's close to the restricted fourth floor. It seems Rashid might have gone there."

Nooram's concern transformed into determination. "Then that's where we need to go. We can't waste any more time. Let's find a way to reach the west wing discreetly."

Areej nodded in agreement. "I'll keep an eye out here in case Rashid returns. Be careful, guys. The fourth floor is forbidden for a reason."

With a mix of apprehension and resolve, Nooram and Motha left the sports field, their steps quickening as they made their way towards the west wing of Crestwood Academy. Their hearts raced with anticipation as they embarked on their next crucial step in finding their missing friend, Rashid.

Little did they know, the path they were about to take would lead them closer to the enigmatic secrets and mysteries that lay dormant within the forbidden fourth floor.