Page 1 of Silent Trail

PROLOGUE

Rita tugged at the door handle, but it remained stubbornly locked. Her breath misted in the chilly, pre-dawn air as she sighed in frustration.

"Mrs. Hayfield was supposed to be here by now," she muttered under her breath. She pulled out her phone, its battery indicator blinking ominously low, and quickly typed out a message to her teacher, hoping for a prompt response.

As she leaned against the door, she couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment—her first event at college, and she was already off to a rocky start.

Surrounded by the hushed beauty of the Utah landscape, Coldwater Community College seemed like an oasis of learning and growth. Rita had fallen in love with the picturesque campus on her first visit, drawn to its serene atmosphere and promise of academic opportunities. Now, standing alone in the dim morning light, she felt a mixture of anticipation and anxiety churning within her.

The silence was broken only by the distant chirping of birds and the rustling of autumn leaves underfoot as squirrels darted among the trees. Rita glanced around, taking in the majestic snow-capped mountains in the distance and the neatly manicured lawns that rolled out between the red-brick buildings. It was still early in the semester, and most of the students weren't due to arrive for another hour or so. But Rita had hoped to make a good impression on her teachers and peers alike by showing up early to help set up for the event.

Where's Claire, anyway? she wondered. We were supposed to meet up here. If she's skipping class again, I'm going to strangle her. I don't care how bad her hangover is.

It hadn't taken long for Rita to realize that her ambitions didn't always match up with those of her new friends. While most of them were at Coldwater Community College for the party scene, Rita had come to learn. As a freshman pursuing a degree in forensic psychology, she was fascinated by the human mind and its darker corners. She hoped one day to work alongside law enforcement, helping to catch criminals and bring justice to victims. Her friends couldn't understand why she'd rather spend her weekends buried in books than dancing the night away, but to Rita, it was simple: she wanted to make something of herself.

The event she and Claire were supposed to set up was an icebreaker for new students, organized by the college's Psychology Club. It would be a chance for fellow psych majors to mingle and form connections that could last throughout their academic careers—or so the club president had said in one of their meetings. Rita had volunteered to help set up the decorations, eager to prove her dedication to the group and make a good first impression on her peers.

Her thoughts were interrupted when a shadow fell over her. Startled, Rita turned around to find Claire standing behind her, a playful smirk on her lips.

"Still waiting for Mrs. Hayfield?" Claire asked, her voice dripping with amusement. "You're at the wrong door, genius. The entrance we need is just around the corner."

"Really?" Rita frowned, feeling foolish. "Thanks," she mumbled, slipping her phone back into her pocket as she followed Claire.

As they walked toward the correct door, Rita couldn't help but study Claire. The older girl moved with an easy grace, her long legs carrying her effortlessly across the campus grounds. Dressed in a stylish outfit and matching sneakers, she looked every bit the part of a college athlete—which, of course, she was. A star on the volleyball team, Claire seemed to have it all: athleticism, popularity, and an effortless confidence that drew people to her like moths to a flame.

Rita tried to suppress a twinge of envy as she trailed behind Claire, her own academic ambitions momentarily overshadowed by the realization that she lacked the social ease that came so naturally to her companion. While Rita was proud of her commitment to her studies, she sometimes wished she could let loose and enjoy the more carefree side of college life—just like Claire seemed to do without even trying.

"Trust me," Claire said, flashing Rita a dazzling smile as they reached the entrance, "you'll know this place like the back of your hand by the end of semester. Then you can come and go as you please, and no one will be the wiser." She winked.

The heavy doors swung open, revealing the spacious interior of Coldwater Community College's Hempstead Building. High ceilings and wide corridors provided an airy atmosphere, while the polished floors reflected the soft glow of overhead lights. The walls were adorned with colorful banners and posters advertising various clubs and events, adding to the vibrant energy of the campus.

"By the way," Claire continued, her voice dropping conspiratorially as they walked deeper into the building, "did I tell you about the prank we pulled on Professor Jenkins last week? We snuck into his office after hours and filled it with balloons. It took him ages to sort it out the next morning."

Rita chuckled, despite herself. The idea of their stern, bespectacled professor wading through a sea of balloons was undeniably amusing.

"You should join us next time," Claire said. "Get in on the action."

"Sounds like fun," Rita admitted, "but I really need to focus on my studies right now. I don't want to fall behind in my classes."

Claire rolled her eyes playfully, nudging Rita with her elbow. "Come on, lighten up a little! College is about more than just reading books. You've got to have some fun every now and then, too."

They finally arrived at the conference room where the Psychology Club event was to be held. The room was spacious, with large windows lining one wall and letting in the soft morning light. Rows of round tables stood bare, awaiting their adornments.

"Alright," Claire said as she clapped her hands together, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Let's get this party started."

Together, they began unpacking boxes filled with tablecloths, candles, and various other decorations. As Rita unfolded a deep blue tablecloth, she couldn't help but marvel at the intricate gold patterns embroidered along the edges. She glanced over at Claire, who was already setting up elaborate centerpieces with practiced ease.

"Hey, these look great!" Rita said, trying to match her friend's enthusiasm. "I can't wait to see everything when it's finished."

Claire grinned, her confidence radiating through the room. "Trust me; it's going to be amazing."

As Rita continued to work, she focused on the task at hand, laying out each tablecloth carefully and adjusting the centerpieces just so. But she couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing. It wasn't until Claire suddenly cursed under her breath that Rita realized she wasn't alone in her concerns.

"Everything okay?" Rita asked, furrowing her brow.

"No," Claire replied, her frustration evident. "We're missing the masquerade masks—we need them for one of the games. They must still be in the supply closet."

"Okay," Rita said, straightening her shoulders. "Just tell me where the closet is, and I'll go grab them."

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