Chapter 4The Secret Behind the Top Student's Death

After the scene outside the school, my classmates all began looking at me with suspicion.

Maybe they thought I was the killer too.

Everyone was on edge, but the college entrance exam wouldn't stop because two students had died.

The third practice exam came around amid the fear and rumors.

Once again, I disappointed Dad.

I didn't place first. I didn't even place second.

When our homeroom teacher announced the top student, everyone turned to my deskmate.

Jade Jacobs looked terrified.

"The last two students who came first are dead! Am I going to get killed tonight?

"I'm telling you now, I would never kill myself. Never!"

She looked at me fearfully as she spoke.

It was as though she'd already decided I was the one killing the top students.

I said nothing.

Even if I killed her, I still wouldn't move into first place.

The others urged Jade to call the police, and she finally did.

Daniel took the threat seriously and led the officers assigned to protect her.

Meanwhile, Dad gave me the scolding I'd expected.

"What's wrong with you? How do your scores keep getting worse?"

My face went stiff. "Dad, Zara and Zachary are dead..."

"So what?" His voice rang through the house. "Do you think the country will cancel the college entrance exam because they died?"

"Everyone thinks I'm the killer..."

"With your record of always coming second, you think you're capable of murder?"

He scoffed. "If they suspect you, then come first and prove them wrong!"

"Dad! Two students who placed first have died. Aren't you worried the killer will come after me if I place first too?"

I couldn't take any more. I ran to my room.

"Stop making excuses! If you come first, I'll stay awake all night to keep you safe!"

He used a key to force the door open.

Then he made me drink a glass of milk.

"Just drink the milk. Those deaths were accidents, so stop thinking about them. If someone were killing top students, wouldn't they target the best student in the school?"

I lay in bed and tossed and turned.

Then Daniel called me.

"Julian, you need to be careful tonight. I just learned there was an error in the results for the third practice exam. You actually placed the first."

"Lock your doors and windows. I'm on my way."

I was about to speak when my phone screen went black.

At the same time, the light above me flickered twice and went out.

I froze for a moment, then called out for my dad.

No matter how many times I shouted, no one answered.

Then I heard heavy footsteps in the darkness.

I couldn't see anything, but I could tell they were coming toward me.

The footsteps stopped right in front of me.

Before I could react, a pair of cold hands closed around my throat.

"How could you be the first?"

The voice sounded exactly like mine.

I couldn't breathe. I struggled desperately to push away whatever stood before me, whether it was a person or a ghost.

Something tore loose with a sharp rip. I couldn't tell what it was.

Just then, moonlight spilled into the room.

At last, I saw the face of the person trying to kill me.

I stared at it, too stunned to move.