Wenclair II Ghostface AU

3. The Second Victim

The initial shock of Jeremy Hawke's murder had begun to settle into a pervasive unease at Nevermore Academy. The faculty implemented stricter security measures, and students moved in wary clusters, casting suspicious glances at one another. Despite the heightened security, Wednesday and Enid continued their investigation undeterred, delving deeper into the murky waters of Jeremy's life and the enigmatic Raven's Claw society.

A week after Jeremy's death, a chilling sense of déjà vu gripped the academy as another student was found dead. The victim was Isabella Ward, the petite girl with sharp features who had spoken to Wednesday and Enid about Jeremy's initiation plans. She was discovered in the library, her throat slit and a ghostly mask placed beside her body, identical to the one found next to Jeremy.

Wednesday and Enid were among the first to arrive at the scene, having been alerted by the horrified screams of a fellow student. The library, once a place of quiet refuge, was now a gruesome tableau of violence. Blood pooled on the floor, and the scent of iron filled the air, mingling with the faint, musty smell of old books.

Principal Weems and a contingent of security staff soon followed, their faces grim. As the area was cordoned off, Wednesday and Enid stood at the periphery, absorbing the scene.

"This is a message," Wednesday said, her voice low but firm. "The killer is trying to tell us something."

Enid nodded, her face pale but resolute. "It's another member of the Raven's Claw. Do you think it's because she talked to us?"

"Possibly," Wednesday replied. "Or it could be that she knew too much and posed a threat to the killer."

As the investigation intensified, Wednesday and Enid turned their focus to the remaining members of the Raven's Claw. They interviewed each one, looking for inconsistencies in their stories and any hint of animosity that might point to a motive. Among the suspects were Lucas, Mara, and a few other seniors who had been close to Jeremy and Isabella.

One afternoon, they cornered Lucas in the courtyard. He was sitting on a stone bench, staring off into the distance, lost in thought.

"Lucas," Wednesday began, her voice slicing through the quiet like a knife. "We need to talk."

He looked up, his eyes shadowed with grief and anger. "What do you want now?"

"Isabella is dead," Wednesday said bluntly. "Just like Jeremy. We need to know everything you know about the Raven's Claw and its members."

Lucas clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white. "I told you before, we don't share our secrets. But this... this is different. I didn't think it would come to this."

Enid stepped forward, her tone gentle but firm. "Please, Lucas. We're all in danger. We need to work together to stop this."

Lucas hesitated, then nodded reluctantly. "Alright. But you have to promise me something. If we find out who did this, you have to make them pay."

"Justice will be served," Wednesday promised, her voice cold and resolute.

Lucas began to divulge more about the Raven's Claw, describing its inner workings and the tensions that had been brewing among its members. He spoke of rivalries, secret grudges, and the escalating pranks that had pushed some members to their limits.

"Jeremy was the ringleader," Lucas explained. "He loved the power and the thrill. But he made enemies. Isabella was one of them. She was afraid of him, afraid of what he might do next."

"Did she ever mention specific threats?" Wednesday asked, her mind racing with possibilities.

Lucas shook his head. "No, but she said she was gathering evidence. She wanted to expose him, to bring the whole society down."

Wednesday and Enid exchanged a glance, realizing that Isabella's determination to reveal the truth might have sealed her fate.

As they continued their investigation, they discovered that Isabella had indeed been compiling a dossier on Jeremy and the Raven's Claw. Hidden among her belongings were detailed notes, photographs, and recordings that painted a damning picture of the society's activities. It was clear that she had been close to unearthing secrets that someone desperately wanted to keep buried.

One night, while going through Isabella's notes in their dorm room, Enid sighed heavily, the weight of their discoveries pressing down on her. "This is getting more dangerous, Wednesday. What if we're next?"

Wednesday looked up from the papers, her expression uncharacteristically soft. "We won't be. We're smarter than the killer, and we have each other. We'll find out who's behind this."

Enid managed a small smile, finding comfort in Wednesday's unwavering resolve. "I believe you. We just have to stay one step ahead."

Their investigation led them to the library, where they hoped to find more clues hidden among Isabella's favorite haunts. As they combed through the shelves and nooks, they uncovered a hidden compartment in one of the study carrels. Inside, they found a small, leather-bound journal that belonged to Isabella. The entries were filled with her suspicions, fears, and detailed observations of her fellow Raven's Claw members.

One entry stood out:

**October 12th: Jeremy's plans are getting more dangerous. He's losing control, and I'm afraid someone will get hurt. Lucas and Mara are on edge. I've decided to gather evidence, to expose everything. It's the only way to stop him. But I have to be careful. If anyone finds out what I'm doing, I could be next.**

Reading Isabella's words sent a chill down Enid's spine. "She knew she was in danger. She tried to warn us."

Wednesday's expression darkened. "And now she's dead. But her notes might be the key to finding the killer."

They continued to piece together the puzzle, their determination growing with each new discovery. The atmosphere at Nevermore Academy grew more tense with each passing day, the shadow of Ghostface looming large over everyone. Despite the fear and uncertainty, Wednesday and Enid's bond deepened, their partnership evolving into something more profound and complex.

Late one night, after hours of sifting through evidence, Enid reached across the table and took Wednesday's hand. "We're going to solve this, Wednesday. I know we will."

Wednesday looked up, surprised by the touch but not pulling away. "We will, Enid. Together."

Their investigation brought them closer, not just as detectives but as individuals. The late-night study sessions turned into moments of shared vulnerability, and the walls that Wednesday had so carefully constructed around herself began to crumble in Enid's presence.