Jayjay's POV
The day was finally ending. The golden evening light spilled through the glass windows of Eman's Restaurant, painting the walls a warm orange. Section E had taken over their usual corner — empty plates, loud laughter, and soft music humming from the speakers.
Adrian was flipping through his notes, pretending to study but clearly eavesdropping on Yuri and Eman's debate about which dish was better. Rory leaned back in his chair, arms folded, while Edrix sat across from him, typing something on his laptop even during dinner.
Jayjay smiled quietly, swirling her drink. It had been a long week — one filled with teasing, missing Kiefer, and late-night thoughts she didn't want to admit. Every now and then, she caught herself staring at her phone, waiting for it to ring.
And just when she tried to ignore that thought — it did.
Her phone lit up with Kiefer's name.
Her heart skipped a beat. "It's Kiefer," she said, surprised. Everyone turned toward her.
Adrian smirked. "Long-distance check-in already?"
"Shut up," she muttered, pressing the answer button.
"Kiefer?"
His voice came through, low and urgent.
"Jayjay, put me on speaker. Get everyone to listen."
The sudden seriousness in his tone made her stomach twist. She didn't ask why — she just did as told. "Guys, he said to listen."
Everyone quieted down immediately.
"Okay," Kiefer said, his voice echoing through the speaker. "Kearen just called me. It's about Keagan… He hasn't come home since yesterday."
Jayjay's hand froze midair. Adrian leaned forward, frowning. "What do you mean 'hasn't come home'?"
"He said he was staying at his friend's place for the weekend," Kiefer continued, his tone heavy. "But Kearen called his friend's mom. Keagan never went there."
A thick silence filled the air. Even the restaurant's background chatter seemed to fade away.
Rory was the first to speak. "So, he's missing."
Kiefer's voice hardened.
"I'm not jumping to that yet. But I need all of you to help me track him. Edrix, can you hack Keagan's phone and find his location?"
Edrix pushed up his glasses, already opening his laptop. "Give me two minutes. I'll try to ping his device."
"Rory," Kiefer continued, "check his school's CCTV and see who he left with on Friday."
Rory nodded. "On it."
Everyone moved quickly. Jayjay could feel her heartbeat rising. The sound of typing filled the table as Edrix worked.
Adrian leaned over. "Got anything yet?"
Edrix shook his head. "No signal. Either the phone's off or… something's blocking it."
"Damn it," Rory muttered. "This isn't good."
Kiefer's voice came again, calm but tight with worry.
"Edrix, any trace at all?"
Edrix sighed, shaking his head. "Nothing. I'm getting interference. It's like his device was wiped."
That's when a soft voice broke the silence.
"Give me your laptop," Ciel said, stepping forward.
Everyone turned to her. Even Edrix blinked. "You? What are you going to do?"
Ciel's tone didn't change. "Just give it to me."
Jayjay and Yuri exchanged a look — this was the calm, sweet Ciel who was always quiet around the group. Now, she looked focused, almost sharp.
Edrix hesitated but handed her the laptop. "Don't break it."
She ignored the joke. From her bag, she pulled out a small, sleek headset — one that didn't look like anything Jayjay had ever seen before. She slid it on, eyes glowing faintly blue from the screen reflection.
Kiefer's voice came through the speaker.
"Ciel, I'm listening. His number's—"
He recited Keagan's phone number slowly.
Ciel closed her eyes, fingers flying across the keyboard, the sound rapid but precise. Jayjay could hear faint beeps and codes running across the laptop screen — symbols she didn't even recognize.
Adrian watched in silence. For once, even he didn't interrupt.
Minutes passed. Everyone waited. Then, Ciel suddenly stopped typing. Her eyes widened slightly as she stared at the screen.
Jayjay leaned forward. "Did you find him?"
Ciel didn't answer right away. She slowly took off her headset, staring blankly at the laptop screen.
"Done," she said finally — her voice quiet.
Everyone's faces lit up with hope.
But before they could ask, they saw her expression — pale, frozen, almost trembling.
Her lips parted, voice soft but shaken.
"Guys… this can't be right."
And that was where the night fell silent.