“That’s strange. Where did Rora go?” Rae wondered.

“She wouldn’t leave her post like this,” Rian said. “I’ll call her.”

The library was plunged into silence and darkness. Rian’s phone beeped, but Rora didn’t answer.

“I hope nothing happened to her,” Rian said, shaking his head.

“Maybe she went to the restroom. Who knows?” Rae replied.

“Okay. Let’s wait a bit. In the meantime, let’s organize everything we know about Momo. Can we put all the facts together?”

“Yes. Good idea. Go ahead.”

“Wow, cold Rae actually praised me.”

“Let’s get to the laptops.”

They sat down at the table and began to talk.

“I’ll start,” Rian said, opening his laptop. “I’ve gathered some things already.”

“Wow, you even have your own blog.”

“Yes. I publish articles there sometimes. It works as a portfolio. I also added a comment section so people can share opinions or contact me.”

“Convenient. Have you published anything about this case yet?”

“Not yet. There are still too many unanswered questions.”

“Then let’s go through it together.”

“So,” Rian began, leaning on his wrists, “Momo is a second-year journalism student. On the night of September 1st, around 2 a.m., she disappeared. We know she went to the library — this is confirmed by surveillance cameras. The footage also shows her heading toward the archive.”

“The archive contains different types of materials. I’ve been checking it myself these past few days. There are old books, newspapers, and documents — information about former students and student projects. Nothing that important.”

“I checked the card index, too. Nothing interesting. It would be great if we could see which documents were requested during the past week. Or at least know what Momo was looking for.”

“It’s difficult, but not impossible,” Rae said, pulling a flash drive from his pocket.

“Where did you get that?!” Rian exclaimed.

“I have my own methods.”

“Wow, Rae. You’re impressive. I’ll add that to the article.”

“All the documents are somehow related to finance and laundering,” Rae said.

“So she was investigating something,” Rian said, typing quickly. “I’ll add that. We still don’t have enough information, but we already have a general picture. Let’s upload a few photos of the library and archive, a blurred photo of Momo, and publish it.”

“Make sure the comments are open. We’ll need help.”

“Agreed,” Rian said. “Publishing now.”

“Great,” Rae said, watching the screen.

“I wish we could travel back to that day and find out what really happened.”

“That would help. But our job is to work with the present, not the past,” Rae said, patting Rian on the back.

Suddenly, a loud crash echoed through the library, and the lights went out.

“What was that? Thunder?” Rian asked nervously. “Did the power go out because of it?”

“Quiet,” Rae said, covering Rian’s mouth. “Someone’s in the archive.”

A rustling sound echoed again. Someone was searching frantically. In the darkness, the silhouette of a tall girl appeared. Moonlight from the balcony faintly outlined her figure, but her face remained hidden.

Suddenly, a tall male silhouette appeared behind her.

“Wha… t… r… you doin…?” he asked. His voice was barely audible.

Rian didn’t understand what was happening. He looked at Rae, whose heavy, serious gaze was visible even in the darkness.

The girl tried to scream when the unknown covered her mouth.

“Don’t dare…” the same male voice whispered, leaning close to her ear.

Her pupils shrank instantly. Terror overwhelmed her, and she began to struggle.

“Please, I won’t write or investigate anything anymore! If necessary, I will leave the university! Spare me!” the girl screamed throughout the library.

Rian tried to break free from Rae’s grip, but Rae held him firmly.

“We need to understand what’s happening. Don’t do anything stupid,” Rae whispered.

“We need to save her.”

“It could be dangerous. He might be armed. Shhh.”

“Stupid girl, I told you to remain silent!” the man shouted and struck her head. The blow was so powerful that she collapsed unconscious.

The man glanced around quickly, then ran toward the balcony.

“We need to go to her,” Rian whispered.

“Okay. Carefully.”

They moved slowly toward the archive. A young girl laid unconscious on the floor.

“This can’t be…” Rian whispered, his eyes wide. “This is… this is…”

“Momo.”

They stood frozen.

“But why is she here?”

“I don’t know.”

“Damn it. We need to wake her up,” Rian said, kneeling beside her. “Momo, Momo, can you hear me?”

“Quiet, idiot! What if someone hears us?”

“Then let’s carry her out of here.”

“Okay. Go ahead.”

Rian bent down to lift Momo onto his shoulders when suddenly a head appeared in the window.

“Aaaaaaaaaaa!” Rian screamed throughout the entire library, jumping back and falling onto Rae.