DAYMARE 21: United Clues

We were left silent as we wondered what happened next. Riegel didn't know what happened after he lost consciousness when Nicole hit him on the head with a hammer again. He woke up the next morning lying in a hospital bed.

“I tried to leave the hospital when I woke up and remembered what Lloyd and Nicole were planning, but…”

“But what?”

“I was hospitalized early in the morning. I woke up at 10 AM. I went hysterical that I had to save Hestral and told my parents everything that happened to me that night. I told the police everything but… Hestral couldn't be saved…” he lowered his head. “She was killed. She died.”

“How did the police get to the crime scene? Are there any witnesses?” I asked.

When I called the police station, the call Nicole had canceled before I blacked out, the operator who answered sounded suspicious.

They said there seemed to be a problem and, despite Nicole claiming it was a wrong number, they still went to the address I gave. They got there, but Hestral was already gone. It was too late.

Jethro sneered at Riegel. “Yeah, just like you. What’s the point of stalking Hestral all night if you couldn’t even save her?”

Riegel stayed silent, almost like he was accepting the blame.

But I still had questions.

“So, Nicole and Lloyd tried to kill Hestral, and you too, Riegel, because you became a witness. But Hestral fought back and killed them instead. I get that part. What I don’t understand is why Hestral killed herself afterward. If she saved herself by killing the two, the cops would declare it as self-defense and not murder. And you, Riegel, were the only witness to all this.”

“I already told you why,” Riegel replied.

“Huh?”

“It sounds unbelievable, but Hestral told me this the afternoon I visited her that someone was trying to take her life, but Lloyd and Nicole were just puppets being controlled.”

I frowned, looking so confused right now.

“I don’t get it.”

“The real killer? It wasn’t them. It was something beyond human understanding.”

I glanced at Jethro for his reaction, but he showed no surprise.

“I don’t know if it was a ghost, an evil spirit, a phantom, a curse, or something else. At first, I didn’t believe her, but that was the real cause of her death. If only I’d believed her sooner.” He paused, regret flashing in his eyes.

“Hestral’s will never commit suicide with a lame excuse. In fact, she didn’t even kill herself. The phantom made it look like she did.”

I was left speechless. I couldn’t find the words to say.

“You two can believe me or not, but I hope you believe what Hestral said because I didn’t, and it cost us her life.”

His words hit me deep, and I felt a weight was put on my chest.

“Show him,” Jethro assigned me to inform Riegel about Hestral’s diary in her netbook.

I also asked Mr. Sergio and Sir Johace’s permission about it, and they both agreed. I also discussed with them about Riegel and Jethro through a phone call. Mr. and Mrs. Gern knew that Jethro was helping them uncover the truth behind Hestral’s death.

I passed my phone to Riegel. I had a copy of her diary in it.

He was speechless after reading it.

“I never knew that thing existed,” he murmured in a low voice, thinking he never knew that Hestral had left a message before she died that could help us trace the truth.

Hestral’s diary and his assertions are related. He is telling the truth.

Jethro shifted in his seat. “I believe you what Hestral told you. Now tell me more about how she died.”

“All I know is that when she was still somewhat sane and going to school, she mentioned an app. An online reading app you can download on your phone. I think it’s a platform where you can read stories from authors all over the world.”

“An app… What is it?” I watched Jethro’s reaction like he knew something.

“I forgot the name. I wasn’t interested in it. But I remember one thing. The horror story Hestral was reading had only one view, one like, one comment, like she was the only one reading it. And weirdly, the story matched what was happening to her, as if it were her diary and she was the main character.”

“I freakin’ knew it,” Jethro cursed under his breath.

“What do you mean?” I asked him.

Jethro took a deep breath.

“She told me, Neil, and Anikka once. She had us download the app and search for the story she was into. We couldn’t find anything like it—not on any of our device. We just thought it was some glitch or error.”

I started feeling a chill. The pieces of this nightmare were finally coming together. If there really was some ghost tied to the story pushing Hestral to kill herself, we needed to find out what app it was, and what the story was.

“Do you remember the app or the story’s title? Maybe we can find a lead,” I asked.

Jethro closed his eyes, trying to recall.

“Ugh!” he snapped looking so frustrated. “Oh, wait. Hold up.” Then he pulled out his black phone. “Here. It’s in our group chat from last year.”

He showed us the chat between the four of them including Hestral. It felt eerie, scrolling through messages from someone who’s no longer alive.

“She was chatting with us about it. We paid no serious attention to it but who would know it would be a vital piece of information a year later.”

I took the phone and Riegel started reading Hestral’s messages aloud.

Hestral: Hey, guys. Make an account on a website or app, bookfiend.com

Neilsen: You have classes, right? But you're chatting with us. Bad girl

Anikka: What’s that for

Jethro: Are you okay there, Hestral? How are you

Hestral: Just do what I say. Urgent, please hurry u

Neilsen: Let me tell your teachers what you’re doin

Hestral: Drop the joke, Neil

Anikka: Okay, what’s it again

Hestral: Search for ‘Curiosity Kills’ by yourgreatestdaymare

A few seconds later…

Jethro: Negative. There is no such name for the author or the novel

Neilsen: Me too. You’re fooling us, Hestral

Anikka: Same with mine. What is this? Homework

Hestral: Are you guys sure about it? Re-check it or refresh the app

Neilsen: Nothing

Anikka: Non

Jethro: Same. Is something bothering you

Hestral: No, it was nothing. Just some kind of our project, thanks. Love y’all.

“That’s it. That’s the app and the story’s name!” Jethro exclaimed.

I jumped up from my seat, heart racing.

“Download it now, let’s see what’s up.” Jethro commanded me to do it too. “I still have the app on my phone, but I still couldn’t find the story.”

I was still holding Jethro’s phone. I froze after reading their whole conversation.

“Come on. Please download it and try on your phones. I got data with me for the hotspot if you need.”

“If this is really what Hestral was talking about, maybe we’ll find some clues,” Riegel commented. He pulled out his phone and started downloading the app.

My heart was pounding. I gulped hard and dropped my phone on the table.

“You dropped your phone.” Jethro handed me my phone. “Hey, Lewin. Are you still there?”

“I-I’ve been reading that story too.” I stuttered, staring into nothingness.