The school library was quiet that afternoon. The big clock on the wall ticked loudly, making every second feel longer. Sunlight streamed through the dusty windows, and the air felt heavier than usual.
All ten girls sat together at a corner table. The atmosphere was serious.
Prajwal opened Niyati's old notebook again. "We'll start with this. Let's look for any details about her… anything at all."
Swarali and Apurva got up and began scanning the shelves labeled "Old School Records."
Akshara whispered, "Why is it always the library in horror stories?"
Anushka replied, "Because ghosts like silence… and books probably."
Akshada nervously giggled, "Not helping."
Srushti sighed, "Let's focus, please."
Suddenly, Swara pulled out a dusty folder from the bottom shelf.
"Guys… I found something," she said quietly.
Everyone gathered around as she opened it.
Inside were class photos, attendance records, and progress reports from the year 2007.
"There!" Apurva pointed. "Class 9 – Section B. Niyati Sharma."
They found her picture — a girl with big eyes and a soft smile. She looked just like any other student.
"I can't believe we're looking at the face of a ghost," said Rutuja, half-whispering.
Akshara added, "She looks so… normal."
They flipped the page. That's when they saw a short note attached to her file. It read:
"Student passed away after an incident in the science lab. Case closed by school authorities. No further records available."
"That's it?" Akshada frowned. "No details?"
Swara's voice was low, "They covered it up."
Swarali nodded. "There's definitely more to the story. No one just dies in the lab and the school just… forgets about it."
Anushka said, "Maybe she didn't die in an accident. What if it wasn't an accident at all?"
The room went cold again.
"Don't say that," Rutuja whispered. "That's too creepy."
Just then, a loud thump echoed from the other side of the library.
Everyone froze.
"Did anyone else hear that?" Prajwal asked, already knowing the answer.
Another thump.
They turned toward the sound. A single book had fallen off the shelf.
Swara slowly walked over and picked it up.
"It's a… diary," she said.
A pink leather-covered diary with a lock—unlocked.
She opened it. The name inside made everyone gasp.
Niyati Sharma.
"This must've been her personal diary," Swarali said.
Swara flipped through the pages.
Most of it was about school life, friends, exams… but one entry stood out.
> "They're bullying me again. I told ma'am, but she didn't do anything. They laugh when I cry. I just want to disappear. Maybe I'll hide in the lab again. No one ever comes there."
The page after that was torn.
The girls stared at each other.
"Someone bullied her…" Prajwal said softly.
"And she used to hide in the lab," said Apurva.
"And then… she died there," added Swara.
Silence fell.
Akshara's eyes welled up. "This is so sad."
"Maybe… she still wants someone to know the truth," said Akshada.
Prajwal nodded slowly. "Then we'll find out what happened to her. Even if it's scary."
Srushti crossed her arms but didn't say anything. Her silence was agreement.
The girls all looked at each other. This wasn't just about a ghost anymore.
It was about justice.
And maybe, just maybe… helping Niyati finally rest.
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