Wenclair II Ghostface AU

4. A Hidden Clue

As the investigation dragged on, the pressure on Wednesday and Enid mounted. The killer, dubbed Ghostface by the terrified students of Nevermore Academy, seemed to be always one step ahead, leaving no clear trail to follow. Tensions were running high, and the entire school was gripped by fear and paranoia.

One rainy afternoon, Wednesday and Enid found themselves back in Isabella Ward's dorm room, searching for any clues that might have been overlooked. Isabella's room was a mirror of her meticulous personality: everything was in its place, and not a single item seemed out of the ordinary. But Wednesday knew that sometimes, the most important clues were hidden in plain sight.

"Isabella kept a diary," Wednesday said, her eyes scanning the room with precision. "I'm certain it's here somewhere."

Enid nodded, her eyes wide with anticipation and anxiety. "But we've searched this room before. What if she hid it somewhere we'd never think to look?"

Wednesday's eyes flicked to the edges of the room, her mind racing through possible hiding spots. "It has to be somewhere that blends in but is still accessible. A place she would check regularly."

Together, they began a more thorough search, pulling books from the shelves and feeling along the edges for any false backs or hidden compartments. Enid checked the drawers, carefully lifting out items and inspecting each one for any signs of tampering.

After what felt like hours, Enid's hand brushed against something unusual behind a row of books. "Wednesday, I think I found something!"

Wednesday hurried over as Enid carefully extracted a small, leather-bound diary from the hidden compartment. The cover was worn, and the pages were filled with Isabella's meticulous handwriting. It was exactly what they had been looking for.

"This could be the break we need," Wednesday said, flipping through the pages. "Let's take it back to our room and read through it carefully."

Back in the sanctuary of their dorm room, Wednesday and Enid sat on Wednesday's bed, the diary open between them. The entries were detailed, chronicling Isabella's daily life and her interactions with other students, including Jeremy. As they read, a clearer picture began to emerge of the dynamics within the Raven's Claw and the tensions that had been brewing.

"This entry is from a week before Jeremy was killed," Enid said, pointing to a page. "Isabella mentions a meeting where Jeremy proposed a new initiation ritual. She says it was dangerous and that some of the members were strongly opposed to it."

Wednesday nodded, her eyes narrowing. "This confirms what we suspected. Jeremy was pushing the boundaries, and it was causing friction within the group."

Enid continued reading, her brow furrowing as she came across another entry. "Here, she mentions someone named 'R.' She says they had a heated argument with Jeremy and threatened to expose him if he didn't back down."

"'R' could be anyone in the group," Wednesday mused. "We need to find out who that is. It might lead us to the killer."

The more they read, the more they uncovered about the complex web of relationships and rivalries within the Raven's Claw. Isabella's diary also revealed her own fears and suspicions. She had clearly been worried about the escalating tension and had even considered leaving the group altogether.

As they reached the final entries, Enid's hand trembled slightly. "This one is from the night before she died. She wrote that she had found something that could ruin Jeremy and was planning to confront him."

Wednesday's eyes darkened. "Isabella must have found something that made her a target. The killer silenced her to keep it hidden."

They read on, the final entry ending abruptly, as if Isabella had been interrupted. The last words were chilling: "I'm scared. If anyone finds this, please know that Jeremy wasn't who he seemed. I think I'm in danger."

The weight of the diary's revelations pressed down on them both. They had a clearer understanding of the motives and tensions that might have led to the murders, but they still didn't know the identity of the mysterious 'R.'

"We need to find out who 'R' is," Enid said, her voice filled with determination. "And we need to do it fast before anyone else gets hurt."

Wednesday agreed, her mind already formulating their next steps. "We'll start by cross-referencing the names in the diary with the members of the Raven's Claw. 'R' could be someone we've already spoken to or someone who's managed to stay under the radar."

Over the next few days, Wednesday and Enid meticulously went through the list of Raven's Claw members, paying close attention to anyone whose name started with the letter 'R.' They interviewed students, asked subtle questions, and observed interactions, looking for any signs of guilt or suspicion.

One evening, as they were poring over their notes in the library, Enid suddenly sat up straighter. "Raven. There's a student named Raven who's been conspicuously absent from all our interviews. She's a senior, quiet, keeps to herself. It fits the profile."

Wednesday's eyes sparkled with a hint of excitement. "We need to find her and talk to her. She might hold the key to unraveling this mystery."

They tracked Raven down to the art studio, where she was working on a painting, her back to the door. The studio was dimly lit, the smell of paint and turpentine thick in the air. Raven's slender figure seemed almost fragile in the muted light.

"Raven?" Wednesday's voice was calm but firm as they approached.

Raven turned, her expression guarded. "Yes? What do you want?"

"We need to ask you some questions about Jeremy and Isabella," Enid said, trying to keep her tone gentle. "We know you were part of the Raven's Claw."

Raven's eyes flickered with a mixture of fear and defiance. "I don't know what you're talking about. I have nothing to do with those murders."

Wednesday stepped closer, her gaze piercing. "We have reason to believe you argued with Jeremy and threatened to expose him. Isabella's diary mentions someone named 'R.' We think that's you."

Raven's face paled, and she took a step back, her hands trembling slightly. "I didn't kill them. Yes, I argued with Jeremy. He was reckless, and I was scared. I threatened to expose him, but I didn't mean it. I just wanted him to stop."

Enid's eyes softened. "Raven, we're not accusing you. We just need to know what happened. Please, if you know anything that could help us, tell us."

Tears welled up in Raven's eyes as she looked between them. "Jeremy had secrets. Dark ones. He was blackmailing people, using their secrets against them. I found out and confronted him. I thought if I threatened to expose him, he'd back down. But then Isabella found out too, and she was going to confront him the night she died."

Wednesday's expression was grim. "Do you know who else Jeremy was blackmailing?"

Raven nodded, wiping her tears. "A few other members of the Raven's Claw. And... there was one more. Someone who wasn't part of the group but had a lot to lose if their secret got out. I think that person is the killer."

"Who?" Enid asked urgently.

Raven hesitated, fear flashing in her eyes. "I don't know their name. I just know Jeremy referred to them as 'The Outsider.'"

Wednesday and Enid exchanged a look. This was the lead they needed. With Raven's information, they had a new direction to pursue. They needed to identify this 'Outsider' and uncover their secret before the killer struck again.

As they left the art studio, Enid looked over at Wednesday, her expression resolute. "We're getting closer. I can feel it."

Wednesday nodded, her mind already working through the possibilities. "We are. And we won't stop until we find the killer and bring them to justice."

The investigation was far from over, but with each new clue, they were drawing nearer to the truth. And as their bond grew stronger, so did their determination to see this through to the end, no matter the cost.