Golden Melody (Editing)

Chapter 17

Chapter 17- SC Interference

Wayne Academy — Student Council Office

The office was perfectly organized.

Folders aligned. Pens parallel. Papers stacked with almost obsessive precision.

At the center sat Zatariel Wov — president of the Student Council and Tyrant of order.

He signed documents with one hand while eating his now-cold lunch with the other. He didn't complain. Efficiency over comfort, he thought.

The clock on the wall ticked loudly.

Tick.
Tick.
Tick.

The door burst open.

"Preeeesss!"

Harold stood at the entrance, breathing hard. His usually perfect hair was slightly messy — a shocking sight for Wayne Academy's Green Garden Program Top 3 scholar.

Zatariel didn't look up.

"You're letting hallway dust contaminate this office," he said flatly. "Close the door."

Harold shut it quickly. "Two students are missing."

Zatariel's pen stopped. Silence filled the room.

He slowly looked up. "Repeat that. Clearly."

Harold swallowed. "A sophomore from Section 1 disappeared this afternoon." He hesitated. "Another one went missing yesterday from... Section 3."

The ticking clock suddenly felt louder.

Zatariel leaned back in his chair.

"What were they doing before they disappeared?"

Harold stepped forward and placed a file on the desk. Zatariel immediately adjusted it slightly so it sat perfectly centered.

"Last Sunday," Harold began, "a group of sophomore girls attended a debut party. Hosted by Lea Michele Knight from Section 1."

Zatariel's eyes flickered slightly.

"How many attended?"

"Eighteen guests," Harold replied. "Nineteen, including the celebrant. Both missing students were there."

Zatariel tapped the desk once.

"So one disappears on Monday. Another Tuesday." His gaze sharpened. "And you're only reporting this now?"

Harold's jaw tightened. "Her absence yesterday wasn't confirmed; her teacher just thought she'd skipped class. This morning, her parents called through the intercom." 

"Thought?" Zatariel repeated coolly. "So, skipping class is now normal in Wayne Academy?"

Harold crossed his arms. "Not everyone jumps to worst-case scenarios like you."

"That's why you elected me," Zatariel replied without missing a beat.

The tension between them thickened.

Zatariel stood and straightened his blazer. "This is a police matter."

"I agree, so we should-" Harold said quickly.

Zatariel was already dialing the admin office.

"This is Zatariel Wov. Two confirmed missing students. Both sophomores. We need immediate police involvement."

Harold watched as Zatariel's expression shifted.

"With respect," he replied, voice turning icy, "two students are missing."