Risebelle furrowed her brows and picked up the letter from the Sleuth of Shadows that was mysteriously on the desk in her room. She mused, "Sadie, how the hell do you know where I live?”

The meticulously handwritten letter from 'Sleuth of Shadows' read as follows:

"Dear Risebelle,

Hopefully, you're recovering well. Sorry to intrude, it’s crucial for us to have a discussion right now. Perhaps you're wondering how I knew your address. That's a secret I'll save for later. More pressing, though, is our connection in the Epic Quest chatroom.

This is a secret I will reveal to you: I am CipherMystery08. We've conversed about Shadowcroft and its mysterious operations, and it's high time you knew my true identity. I know it must be a shock, and I understand your apprehension, but I promise you, I'm not here to harm you or your friends.

Meet me online as soon as possible. It's imperative that we discuss recent developments regarding Shadowcroft. Your schoolwork can wait; our mission cannot.

Sincerely,

Sleuth of Shadows"

The revelation of Sleuth of Shadows' true identity left Risebelle with surprise. Risebelle quickly sat down at her computer and powered up the machine. ‘I have to know more,’ she thought.

When she started to type, someone’s arms wrapped around her shoulders. It was Jess, who had a mischievous look in her eyes. "Hey there, Risebelle," Jess purred.

Risebelle tried to focus on her computer screen, but Jess's closeness was becoming distracting. "Jess, I'm trying to chat with someone about important stuff right now. Can you give me a moment?"

Jess smirked and leaned her face in closer. "Oh, important stuff? Like, 'let's save the world' important?"

Risebelle chuckled. "Well, not exactly, but it's related to some important things." She tried to gently push Jess away.

Jess responded by nuzzling Risebelle's cheek. "You know, we do have school in the morning, and a certain ‘someone’ needs her beauty sleep."

Risebelle let out an annoyed sigh. “We do have school in the morning, but I need to get into this important conversation, now beat it."

However, Jess raised an eyebrow. "Oh, come on, Risebelle. Are you really telling me that someone on the internet needs to talk to you right now, and it's so important that you can't even give your best friend some attention?"

Risebelle realized that Jess needed some proof, so she reached for the letter she had received from CipherMystery08 and showed it to her friend. "See, Jess? It's right here. This person asked me to meet them online as soon as possible."

Jess glanced at the letter with curiousity, then looked at Risebelle with a mischievous grin. "Well, if it's that important, I won't keep you from your secret online meetings. But, you know, you could have just said that."

Risebelle lowered her eyes. “Now, could you kindly remove your arms? They're making it hard for me to type."

Jess laughed and finally let go of Risebelle, moving to the side of the room. "Fine, fine. I'll leave you to your secret online business, but you know, I can’t let the internet steal all my girlfriend's attention!"

Risebelle blushed. “Jess, I told you it's not like that with us!" But Jess had already retreated to the corner of the room, stifling her laughter.

Risebelle went onto the internet:

EclipseDreamer14 has entered the chatroom.

EclipseDreamer14: Hey, EnigmaGamer19, CipherMystery08. How's it going?

EnigmaGamer19: Hey there, EclipseDreamer14! Just trying to stay awake, you know? School in the morning.

EclipseDreamer14: Why are you staying awake this late? Normal people usually go to sleep at this time.

EnigmaGamer19: Oh, it's this big boss battle in the game! We've been planning it for weeks, and tonight's the night.

EclipseDreamer14: Boss battle? What are we talking about?

EnigmaGamer19: Well, it's this epic showdown with Morndino’s right-hand man, the Dark Knight in Epic quest. We’re doing his Lava dungeon right now so that we can reach him and beat his ass! It's gonna be epic when I use my cannon girl and show him up!

EclipseDreamer14: Hold on, I’m actually here to talk to someone else.

EnigmaGamer19: What’s up, EclipseDreamer14?

EclipseDreamer14: CipherMystery08, you there? I got your letter.

CipherMystery08: Yeah, I'm here. Thanks for coming online, EclipseDreamer14. We need to talk about Shadowcroft.

EclipseDreamer14: This better be important. I'm already getting heat for staying up late. What’s going on?

EnigmaGamer19: It’s rare to see CipherMystery08 in main chat… I'm actually going to set my status to AFK in a bit so I can get back to the game.

CipherMystery08: I'm here to chat, so feel free to invite me into a private chat when you're ready, EclipseDreamer14.

EnigmaGamer19 has set her status to AFK.

EclipseDreamer14: Alright, then. CipherMystery08, would you like to have a private chat?

The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

CipherMystery08: That sounds perfect, EclipseDreamer14. Lead the way.

EclipseDreamer14 initiated a private chat with CipherMystery08.

EclipseDreamer14: So, CipherMystery08, what's on your mind?

CipherMystery08: EclipseDreamer14, I appreciate you reaching out to me. There's something that's been troubling me for a while now.

EclipseDreamer14: I'm here to listen, CipherMystery08. What's been bothering you?

CipherMystery08: It's Shadowcroft. I've been trying to uncover their secrets, to get to the bottom of their twisted activities, and it's led me down a dark path. I've seen things that no one should ever have to witness.

EclipseDreamer14: I can imagine that must be tough. But you're doing good work, trying to expose them.

CipherMystery08: That's where the sadness comes in. You see, I've been to one of their locations before. It was a place where they conduct their experiments, and I managed to escape, but not without seeing the horrors they perpetrate.

EclipseDreamer14: Wait, you've actually been inside one of their facilities?

CipherMystery08: Yes, and it haunts me to this day. I was undercover, trying to gather information, but the things I saw... it's hard to put into words. The place I visited had an eerie, hazy atmosphere, as if it was deliberately designed to obscure the truth.

EclipseDreamer14: Hazy? That's strange. Do you know where this facility is located?

CipherMystery08: It is on the outskirts, hidden from prying eyes, though I cannot say much about the location on here. We will need to meet in person.

EclipseDreamer14: CipherMystery08, your description raises some doubts. How did you manage to escape? And how do I know you're not working for Shadowcroft, trying to lure me into their trap?

CipherMystery08: This is the second time you’ve asked me that, EclipseDreamer14. The first time was when we first met, but I assure you, I am not with Shadowcroft. As for my escape, I can’t tell you all of the details, but I fought my way out of there.

EclipseDreamer14: I want to trust you, CipherMystery08, but I need some assurance. Can you provide any proof of your claims?

CipherMystery08: I do, but the nature of my work demands that I remain discreet. I've kept myself and some information hidden everyones safety.

There was a pause before Risebelle typed again.

EclipseDreamer14: I'll need some time to think about all of this.

CipherMystery08: Without Harty, this is going to be tough on all of us, but we need to keep the investigation going. I… need to see your abilities for myself as well.

EclipseDreamer14: What do you know about our abilities?

CipherMystery08: …

EclipseDreamer14: On second thought, given you had personal experiences with Shadowcroft, you might know more than we do about them.

CipherMystery08: You're right, I've heard things, but I'd rather hear the opinion of the smartest one among us. That would be you, Risebelle.

EclipseDreamer14: Smartest? Well, I have been good at figuring things out, but I am not quite sure I’m the ‘Smartest’ one… what about you?

CipherMystery08: Trust me, you're the one I want to meet and you’re smarter than me. You are welcome to invite Jess along. Roselle needs to be there too. We must meet at the outskirts of town.

EclipseDreamer14: The outskirts? But I have school tomorrow.

CipherMystery08: You seem to have your priorities in order, Risebelle, but not quite in line with what the letter said, which goes, "Your schoolwork can wait; our mission cannot." We have to meet up, and we have to do it fast. There is so much at stake.

EclipseDreamer14: Fine, we'll meet tomorrow.

Risebelle sighed and muttered to herself, "Am I crazy? If my mother finds out I'm going to skip school, it's all over for me." She shook her head, still puzzled by her own decision. "But there's something about CipherMystery08.... I need to find out more, and Roselle needs to be there too. I just hope this doesn't backfire." With that, she closed the chat and prepared herself for the next day, knowing that her meeting with CipherMystery08 would come with its own set of risks and uncertainties.

Risebelle slowly stirred, her eyes fluttering open to the sight of her cozy room. The foggy, cloudy day outside cast a dim light through her window. She blinked, her mind still fuzzy from sleep, and then it hit her – she wasn't being squished to death in Jess's arms.

She turned her gaze to her friend, who lay beside her peacefully, lost in a sweet dream. A small smile tugged at Risebelle's lips.

Risebelle's thoughts, however, were far from dreamy. She knew that they had school today, and her meeting with CipherMystery08 was crucial. She had to decide what to do.

Whispering to herself, Risebelle pondered the dilemma. "What should I do? Skipping school is a big deal, but I can't ignore CipherMystery08's message. Roselle and I need to meet her. It's for a greater cause. But how do I explain this to Jess?"

With a heavy sigh, she gently nudged Jess, attempting to rouse her from her peaceful slumber. "Jess, wake up."

As Jess groggily got up, she mumbled a half-hearted "Good morning" like a zombie. She began to get out of bed, but then Risebelle surprised her by placing her hands gently on Jess's cheeks.

Jess's initial response was to lean in, thinking Risebelle was initiating a morning kiss. At the last moment, Risebelle turned her head and whispered, "Jess, you’re something else."

Jess grinned. Her hands moved playfully around Risebelle’s body. "Oh, come on, Risebelle. Let's not start the day with serious stuff!"

Risebelle gently but firmly held Jess's hands to stop her and glared straight into her eyes. "Jess, I need you to stop playing around for a minute.”

Jess’s face shifted to one of curiosity and mild concern. "Why so serious, Risebelle?"

Jess then knocked herself lightly on the head with a goofy grin coming to her. "Oh, right. Of course, you’re always serious. I'm the silly one here."

Risebelle took a deep breath. "Jess, you know I don't take skipping school lightly, but this is really important."

Jess's brows furrowed. "Wait, are you becoming a delinquent like me?"

Risebelle hesitated for a moment before finally saying, "I received a message from someone last night, and it's related to what we've been investigating, Shadowcroft. They want to meet today, and it's important. I can't ignore it."

Jess's eyes widened. "Shadowcroft? But what about school, Risebelle?"

Risebelle nodded, her gaze unwavering. "I know, Jess, and I'm not taking this decision lightly. But we have to consider the bigger picture here. If we can get more information about Shadowcroft, it could be a major breakthrough. I need your support, Jess."

Jess sighed. She looked at Risebelle with concern. "Okay, Risebelle, I understand. If it's that important, we'll meet with this person. But we should also let our school know that we won't be attending today."

Risebelle nodded. "Thank you, Jess. And you're right, we should inform the school. But I have a plan for that."

Risebelle reached over to her bedside table. Her phone was plugged into a socket and charging. She took it off of charge momentarily to compose a message. "I’m going to send a message to the principal explaining that there’s a family emergency and that we won’t be able to come in today. I’ll also mention that you’re involved in the family situation. “

Jess raised an eyebrow,. “Ooo, Family emergency, huh? You're quite the strategist, Risebelle."

Risebelle smirked, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Well, it's not a complete lie. You're like family to me, Jess."

Jess blushed, her cheeks turning a shade of pink. “Oh, you smooth talker…”

"How do you even have the Principal's number?" Jess asked, her curiosity piqued.

Risebelle let out a small laugh. "That's a long story, Jess."

Jess's eyes sparkled with interest. "Oh, this I have to hear!"

Risebelle paused, thinking back. "Well, there was this one time when my mom invited the Principal over to our house. I don’t know why, but she was adamant about it."

Jess leaned in closer. "And?"

Risebelle continued. "The Principal, who always has this stern face at school, was smiling the entire time. It was really creepy. She was trying to be friendly, but it just felt off. Anyway, my mom insisted I take her number in case I ever needed anything. I guess today is one of those times."

After sending the message to the Principal, Risebelle placed her phone back on charged and faced Jess with a smirk. “Now that we done got that out the way, we've got a meeting to attend, and it's in the outskirts of town."

Jess nodded with a smile. “Risebelle. Let's ditch school!” Jess power punched the air.

Risebelle lowered her eyes. “Yeah, don’t get too excited about that, Jess…”