Chapter 5: The Visitor

The following evening, Adaeze stood outside the gate of Professor Emmanuel Adebayo's modest bungalow.

The compound was quiet.

Flowers lined the narrow walkway, and an old mango tree shaded part of the house.

Michael pressed the doorbell.

A few moments later, an elderly man opened the door.

His grey hair and walking stick revealed his age, but his eyes remained sharp.

"Michael," he said with a faint smile.

"It's been a while."

Michael hugged him gently.

"It's good to see you, Grandpa."

The old professor turned to Adaeze.

"You must be the young lady."

She smiled politely.

"Good evening, sir."

"Come inside."

The living room was filled with books.

Shelves stretched from one wall to another, carrying decades of journals, novels, and academic papers.

Professor Adebayo poured them each a glass of water before sitting down.

He looked at the diary on the table.

"I wondered where this disappeared to."

Michael leaned forward.

"Grandpa... who was Grace?"

The old man became quiet.

For several seconds, he simply stared at the diary.

Finally, he spoke.

"Grace Okafor was one of the brightest students I ever taught."

"She was intelligent, respectful... and always smiling."

Adaeze listened carefully.

"And Daniel?"

A gentle smile crossed the professor's face.

"He loved Grace more than anything."

"They were inseparable."

"Everyone believed they would get married after graduation."

"They planned their future together."

"They even dreamed of starting a charity for underprivileged children."

Adaeze smiled.

"They must have been deeply in love."

"They were."

The professor's smile slowly disappeared.

"But love alone isn't always enough."

He stood and walked toward an old wooden cabinet.

After searching for a few moments, he returned with a faded photograph.

It showed Grace and Daniel sitting beneath a large tree on campus.

Both were laughing.

"They looked so happy," Adaeze whispered.

"They were..."

"...until someone came between them."

Michael frowned.

"Who?"

The professor hesitated.

Before he could answer—

Knock! Knock! Knock!

Three loud knocks echoed through the house.

Everyone froze.

The professor looked toward the door.

"I wasn't expecting anyone."

The knocking came again.

This time, louder.

Michael walked to the window and carefully moved the curtain.

A black SUV was parked outside.

Two men stood beside it.

Both wore dark suits.

One of them held a brown envelope.

"Grandpa..."

"There are two men outside."

The professor's face suddenly lost its color.

"No..."

"They've found me."

Adaeze looked confused.

"Who are they?"

The professor whispered,

"People I've spent years avoiding."

The knocking became more aggressive.

"Professor Adebayo!"

One of the men shouted.

"We know you're home."

Michael immediately locked the front door.

Adaeze's heartbeat quickened.

"What do they want?"

The professor looked at both of them.

"They've come because of Grace."

Silence filled the room.

Then the old professor pointed toward the back of the house.

"There's another exit."

"You two must leave."

Michael shook his head.

"We're not leaving you."

"You must!"

"What about you?"

"I'll be fine."

The professor forced a smile.

"If they see you here..."

"...they'll know the investigation has started again."

Reluctantly, Michael and Adaeze slipped out through the back door.

Hidden behind the fence, they watched as the two men entered the house.

Ten tense minutes passed.

Then...

The black SUV drove away.

When Michael and Adaeze rushed back inside...

The house was in disarray.

Books had been thrown onto the floor.

Drawers were left open.

The photograph of Grace and Daniel had vanished.

And Professor Adebayo...

...was gone.

Only one thing remained on the table.

A small piece of paper with five chilling words:

"Stop searching, or you're next."