The Silent City

Chapter 9

Lingering Shadow's

The campus of Westbridge University was usually buzzing with the energy of students hurrying between classes, laughter echoing through the corridors, and the hum of casual conversations filling the air. But today, there was a noticeable tension in the atmosphere, as if the very air had become heavy with the unsettling news of the latest murder.

Isabelle sat in her literature class, her gaze unfocused as she stared at the professor’s moving lips, the words barely registering in her mind. The classroom was filled with the soft sound of scribbling pens and the occasional murmur of a student asking a question, but it all felt distant to her. The images from the news broadcast kept replaying in her mind—the yellow police tape, the flashing lights of police cars, and the somber expressions of officers as they combed the crime scene.

She tried to concentrate, to immerse herself in the lecture about romanticism and poetry, but her thoughts kept drifting back to the night before. The knowledge that they had been so close to such a horrific event gnawed at her, an icy knot forming in her stomach. She glanced around the room, noticing that Julia, sitting a few seats away, seemed equally distracted. Julia’s usually sharp focus was absent, her brow furrowed as she tapped her pen against her notebook, lost in her thoughts.

The lecture dragged on, the words of the professor fading into the background as Isabelle’s mind wandered. The sunlight streaming through the tall windows did little to chase away the chill she felt deep inside. The once-warm, inviting classroom now felt oppressive, the walls closing in as her anxiety grew.

When the class finally ended, Isabelle quickly gathered her things, eager to leave the suffocating space. She caught up with Julia as they exited the classroom, the two of them walking side by side in silence. The usual chatter of students filled the hallways, but there was an underlying tension, a buzz of whispered conversations about the murder that had everyone on edge.

“I can’t stop thinking about it,” Julia admitted quietly, breaking the silence between them as they made their way to the next lecture hall. “It’s so creepy to think we were right there, and we didn’t even know.”

“I know,” Isabelle replied, her voice tinged with unease. “I just keep replaying it in my mind. What if we had stayed a little longer? What if we had taken a different route home? It’s terrifying to think about.”

As they continued walking, the normally picturesque campus—lined with its ancient oak trees and carefully manicured lawns—seemed darker, more foreboding. The stone pathways, usually bathed in the golden light of late summer, felt colder under their feet. The towering ivy-clad buildings that gave Westbridge its prestigious air now seemed to loom over them, casting long shadows that only deepened their unease.

Isabelle couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong, a sense of being watched or followed, though she knew it was just her imagination playing tricks on her. The rustling of leaves in the breeze, the distant sound of a car door slamming—it all felt more ominous than usual.

After their last lecture, Isabelle and Julia met up with Ethan, Ryan, and John near the campus’s central fountain, a popular gathering spot for students. The fountain, with its cascading water and intricate stone carvings, was usually a symbol of calm and tranquility, but today, even it seemed affected by the unease that had settled over the campus. The water’s gentle splashing was drowned out by the heavy silence that hung between them as they exchanged greetings.

Ethan noticed the tension in Isabelle’s posture and the worry etched on her face. He offered her a reassuring smile as they all sat down on a nearby bench, the cool stone offering little comfort against the chill in the air.

“You okay?” Ethan asked Isabelle softly, his brown eyes filled with concern.

Isabelle nodded, though the tightness in her chest remained. “I just… I can’t stop thinking about it. The murder. It’s like, everywhere I go, I’m reminded of it. And it was so close to where we were last night.”

Ethan reached out and gently squeezed her hand, his touch warm and grounding. “I know it’s scary, but you’re safe. We’re all safe. The police are on it, and they’re going to catch whoever’s responsible. You don’t have to go through this alone.”

Isabelle offered a small, grateful smile, though the fear still lingered in her heart. Ethan’s calm demeanor and the warmth in his voice did help to ease some of her anxiety, and she found herself clinging to his reassurance.

Julia, who had been quietly listening, spoke up. “Maybe we should all stick together tonight. You know, just to be on the safe side.”

Ryan nodded in agreement, his usual playful expression replaced with seriousness. “Yeah, we can hang out at Isabelle’s place. It’ll be good to keep each other company and take our minds off all this.”

Isabelle felt a wave of relief wash over her at the suggestion. The thought of being alone, with nothing but her anxious thoughts for company, was unbearable. “That sounds like a good idea,” she agreed, her voice a little steadier now.

“Then it’s settled,” Ethan said with a decisive nod. “We’ll meet at Isabelle’s after dinner. We’ll just relax, watch some movies, and keep each other company.”

With the plan in place, the group began to disperse, each heading home to prepare for the evening. Isabelle felt a little lighter, knowing she wouldn’t have to face the night alone with her fears. As she and Julia walked back to the parking lot, the weight of the day seemed to lift slightly, though the events of the previous night still cast a long shadow over her thoughts.

The campus grounds, usually a place of learning and youthful exuberance, felt more like a refuge as they left, the comforting presence of friends providing a small shield against the darkness that seemed to encroach from all sides. The sun was beginning to dip low on the horizon, casting an orange hue over the buildings and trees, a soft light that contrasted with the cold unease in Isabelle’s heart.

When they finally arrived at Isabelle’s home, the familiar warmth of her house and the enthusiastic greeting from Max helped to further ease her worries. The evening ahead promised comfort and distraction, but the unease from that morning’s news still lingered, a shadow that wouldn’t easily be dispelled.