The following day at school felt charged with anticipation as Mira and Amira made their way to the library after classes. The sun filtered through the windows, casting a warm glow over the rows of books, but Mira couldn't shake the chill of worry that settled in her stomach.
"Okay, what's our plan?" Mira asked, glancing at Amira as they entered the library. The scent of old paper and dust hung in the air, a reminder of the countless stories waiting to be uncovered.
"We need to look up everything we can about that abandoned house and any connections to Tessa," Amira replied, determination lighting her eyes. "Let's start with local history and any news articles."
Mira nodded, her heart racing as they made their way to the research section. They split up, each diving into different topics, the quiet buzz of the library creating a sense of focus.
As Mira pored over old newspaper articles, she felt the weight of the past press down on her. Most of the articles spoke of the house's history—how it had been abandoned for decades, with rumors swirling about strange occurrences and unexplained happenings.
"Hey, Mira! Check this out!" Amira's voice broke through her concentration. Mira looked up to see Amira holding a faded article with a headline that read, *"Mysterious Disappearances Linked to Abandoned House."*
Mira rushed over, peering at the article. "What does it say?"
"It talks about several people who went missing after being seen near the house. This one mentions a group of friends who explored it a few years ago," Amira said, her voice tinged with excitement and fear. "It's like a pattern."
Mira felt a shiver run down her spine. "What happened to them?"
Amira scanned the article. "It doesn't say. Just that they vanished without a trace. It's all really vague."
Mira bit her lip, a mix of dread and determination coursing through her. "We need to find out more. Maybe there are records or reports somewhere else in the library."
They spent the next hour digging through various archives, uncovering more articles that hinted at strange phenomena surrounding the house. Each new piece of information fueled their urgency, but the more they uncovered, the heavier the sense of foreboding grew.
"Look at this," Mira said, holding up another article. "It mentions sightings of shadows and strange noises coming from the house. People claimed they felt like they were being watched."
Amira shuddered. "That's exactly how I felt when we were there."
As they continued their research, Mira's thoughts drifted back to Tessa. Was she trapped in that house, lost in the shadows? A knot formed in her stomach at the thought. "We have to find a way to help her," she whispered, half to herself.
"Absolutely. We can't let fear stop us," Amira said, her voice firm. "We'll go back to that house. We'll find her."
The resolve in Amira's voice bolstered Mira's spirits. "Okay, let's finish up here and make a plan. We'll need to be careful."
As they gathered their findings and prepared to leave the library, a chill ran through the air. Mira glanced at Amira, sensing a shift in the atmosphere. "Did you feel that?"
"Yeah, it's like the temperature just dropped," Amira replied, her expression wary.
They exchanged uneasy looks before stepping outside. The sunlight seemed brighter now, but the sense of foreboding lingered.
"Let's head home and regroup," Mira suggested. "We'll meet up tomorrow to put our plan into action."
As they walked home, Mira couldn't shake the feeling that they were on the brink of something significant. The shadows of the past were closing in, and she was determined to confront them head-on. Tessa was out there somewhere, and they would do everything in their power to bring her back.
