Chapter 4 Northbridge University

BELLA POV

I arrived at Northbridge University using my aunt's surname.

Morgan.

I looked around the campus as I walked through the entrance.

The university looked perfect.

This had been my brother's world.

This was also the place where the last day of his life had come to an end.

'Have you heard the latest news? Another student drop out.'

'No, you know this university will do everything to maintain their good image.'

'I think I know the reason. It's the Knights.'

'Girl, lower your voice. Someone might hear you.'

I didn't pay much attention to what they're talking about since it's not my business. I think they're jist referring to a typical school who has a bullies.

As I continued walking, my heart ached at the thought that this beautiful place had destroyed the dreams of one of the most important people in my life.

"Hi!"

I stopped walking when I heard a voice behind me.

"New student?" she asked.

I nodded. "Why?"

A girl with curly hair smiled at me.

"I'm Claire."

I smiled politely.

"Bella."

"Good luck."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

Her smile faded.

"Northbridge isn't what it looks like."

She stepped closer and whispered,

"People disappear here."

My eyebrows furrowed even more after hearing what she said.

Before I could ask another question, she was already gone.

Weird.

I let out a sigh.

I thought the students here would be normal, but it looked like I was mistaken.

I simply continued walking toward the dean's office.

After almost an hour, a staff member escorted me to the auditorium where the other students were gathered.

When I arrived, I saw Matthew standing on the stage.

I knew him.

He was a top student, the campus favorite, and almost perfect in everyone's eyes.

---

MATTHEW POV

After finishing explaining the rules and regulations, I slowly scanned the auditorium, looking at each student one by one.

Then my eyes landed on a girl who had just entered.

The smile on my face disappeared.

She's familiar.

She reminded me of someone I knew.

"Are you okay?" Kent asked.

I nodded.

"Who's that girl?"

He followed my gaze.

"Oh! I heard there's a new student. That's probably her."

"I see," I murmured.

"Why? Don't tell me it's love at first sight," he teased.

"Shut up, Suarez, or I'll slit your throat."

He immediately raised both hands.

Like an idiot.

There was something different about that girl.

Something I couldn't quite explain.

---

BELLA POV

I noticed the way Matthew kept looking at me.

It was as if he were desperately trying to remember something.

I smirked to myself.

It looked like he had already forgotten me.

I couldn't really blame him.

He had only seen me a handful of times, and all of them had been through video calls.

Before I could leave, campus sirens suddenly began blaring.

I saw students start running toward the main courtyard.

I was startled by what was happening, especially by the loud screams coming from the students.

I had no idea what was going on, so I found myself running with them.

When we reached the library courtyard, a crowd had already gathered.

I couldn't see what was happening because too many people were blocking my view.

Then I heard several students talking.

"What's going on?"

"Someone fell!"

"What the hell!"

"Excuse me. “ I said

And when I reached the front.

A body lay on the ground.

Soaked in its own blood.

The contents of the victim's bag were scattered everywhere.

I could feel the fear and panic from some of the students.

Others were recording the scene with their phones.

Moments later, the police and an ambulance arrived.

But I was certain there was nothing they could do anymore.

"Stop taking pictures, students!"

But no matter how many times they were warned, some of them refused to stop.

It was as if they were already used to turning someone's tragedy into entertainment.

"Based on our initial investigation, this appears to be an unfortunate accident. The victim likely lost his footing while on the rooftop," one of the officers said.

I couldn't help but scoff.

Every time I heard those words, they made me sick.

Couldn't they come up with any explanation other than calling everything an accident?

As the officers prepared to cover the body, something caught my eye.

The victim's sleeve had rolled halfway up his arm.

There...

Just above his wrist...

A small black symbol.

Three interlocking triangles.

"No..."

It was the exact same symbol I had seen in Adrian's hidden notebook.

I took a step forward.

"Stop right there, Miss," one of the officers warned.

"I-I just wanted to—"

"You can't go any closer."

There was nothing I could do except obey.

But I couldn't be mistaken.

That symbol had to mean something.

I slowly looked around, observing the students one by one.

Some of them had already gone back to what they were doing.

As if they hadn't just witnessed someone die.

Was this really normal in this university?

Why did seeing a dead body seem so ordinary to them?

Weren't they suspicious?

Or had they simply accepted that it was another suicide?

My eyes landed on a guy standing off to the side.

His hands were tucked inside the pockets of his pants.

I saw the faint smile on his face.

As if he had already known this was going to happen.

The moment he turned around to leave, I immediately ran after him.

"Hey!" I called.

But he didn't stop.

My pace slowed when another crowd of students blocked my path.

“Damn it!”

"Who are you looking for? Tyler?" a girl beside me suddenly spoke.

"D-Do you know him? The man I was following?" I asked.

She stared at me for a long moment, looking as though she couldn't believe my question.

"Are you new here? Every student on this campus knows him."

"Who is he?" I asked again.

"Tyler Cole. The smartest and richest student in Northbridge."

I thanked her before walking away.

There was no point staying.

The man I had been following was already gone.

I suddenly realized I was hungry, so I headed to the cafeteria to eat.

As I reached for my room key, something slid out from beneath the door.

A folded piece of paper.

I didn't remember leaving anything like this.

I unfolded it.

Only one sentence was written in neat black ink.

“You're looking in the wrong direction."

My heartbeat quickened.

At the bottom of the page...

A single letter.

M.