The Paper Trail

A group of teens find a creepy note on the sidewalk. In an attempt to investigate it, they find themselves in an unsettling situation in a dark alley.

The Paper Trail

It had been about three hours since school let out. The sun cast long shadows against the teens as they left the local barbecue restaurant, the smell of smoke lingering in the air. Jay stretched and let out a sigh. “That was a solid meal, but now I’m back to thinking about the future… and my terrible run of luck.” Hunt turned to face him and grinned. “You know luck isn’t everything, right? Your work speaks for itself, one day you’ll make it big and you don’t need a stroke of luck to prove that.” Nicky, kicking a pebble down the empty road, chimed in, “Don’t let anyone get in your head. Life’s too short to follow someone else’s script. If you want to paint cows instead of making spreadsheets, then go for it, man.” Running down the sidewalk to kick another pebble, Nicky spotted a creepy note on the ground. The three of them gathered around a nearby lamppost to read it as the sun dipped below the horizon, leaving a dusky glow. “Ooh, ominous! I love it. We could put it in someone’s locker,” Hunt laughed. “Now that’s a plan!” Jay stood blank, pointing at the crumpled note stains. The others’ expressions soon mirrored Jay’s. “Pass the note. That’s blood, and it’s still wet,” Jay insisted, his expression grave. Jay took a deep breath, unfolded the note, and began reading aloud. “Patient Name: Alex Rivers. Date of Evaluation: October 15, 2023. Evaluator: Dr. M. Jensen, PhD.” Jay paused and looked at his friends. Hunt’s eyes widened. “What does this mean?” Jay continued reading, his voice low, conveying a sense of concern. “Presenting concerns: The patient was admitted following a series of troubling behaviors, including erratic sleeping patterns and paranoid ideation. Reports feeling watched and believing that others are plotting against them.” Nicky raised an eyebrow. “That seems intense.” Jay began reading faster, his pulse quickening. “Behavioral Observations: Patient appeared disheveled and restless. Frequent glancing around the room, indicating hyper-vigilance.” Hunt interrupted, his voice rising. “Jay, this is terrifying! We’re being watched!” Nicky’s expression grew serious. “Calm down Hunt, it’s probably someone’s messed up idea of a prank.” “There’s an address on here, 123 Serenity Lane, Whispering Pines Medical Center.” Jay added, trying to stay calm.  Hunter’s eyes widened and his voice started shaking. “That’s only… 3 miles away!” Nicky leaned in closer to Jay and Hunt. “We need to find who this is and make sure they’re okay, they might be hurt.” Jay nodded nervously. “Right, this stays between us for now, we’re going to head to the hospital.” Jay took the lead on the sidewalk and headed in the opposite direction, as the others hesitantly followed. The moon hung low in the sky, casting a silvery glow over the landscape. Shadows stretched long and thin, flickering as the wind whispered through the trees, their branches creaking like old bones as the group strolled past where they had come from earlier towards the city. They crossed the bridge, passing the riverbank into a vibrant, sleepless metropolis known for its history and art districts. As they passed along through the cobblestone streets, the night air felt heavy with unspoken worries. Jay lost in thought, almost didn’t notice Haven sitting on a nearby bench, her gaze fixed on the ground. She was wrapped in a cozy hoodie, her soft features illuminated by the faint glow of a streetlight. Haven is Nicky’s girlfriend. She’s dainty but attractive, with burgundy dyed hair. Her skin is rather pale, but it’s smooth and complements her hazel eyes. “Haven!” Nicky yelled, waving her over to the group. “Hey, you guys, what are you doing here?” Haven replied, her voice soft but warm. Her shyness gave way to a warm smile, but Jay couldn’t help but feel a pang in his chest. They had history, and despite Nicky’s presence, he couldn’t shake the remnants of his feelings for her. Jay stood nervously, conflicted with his feelings. He spoke with a low and shaky voice. “We found this strange note… and we could use more eyes.” he stammered, trying to keep his tone casual. “Why don’t you come with us?” Nicky suggested, trying to bridge the gap. Haven nodded, a hint of excitement breaking through her shyness. “Okay, I’d like to help.” Haven stepped away from the streetlight and followed the trio. Along the walk, Jay felt a sense of nostalgia and bittersweet calm wash over him. Whenever Hunt cracked a joke, Haven laughed, and her bright personality shined, stirring memories of Jay’s past. As they made a final stride for the medical center, the air grew frigid, thick with unsettling tension in the air. The lights in the alleyway to their left cast long shadows, filling the alleyway with darkness and apprehension. The teens reluctantly agree to investigate, with Jay taking the lead and stepping into the alleyway. As Jay squinted his eyes towards the back of the alley, he only had one thought on his mind. Why had he suggested that Haven tag along?