The morning light filtered through the curtains of the Airbnb, casting a soft glow over the kitchen where the Keating 5 gathered to prepare breakfast. Michaela, Asher, Laurel, Connor, and Oliver moved about the room with a sense of purpose, the events of the previous night still lingering in the air like a palpable weight.
As they cooked and chatted, the conversation inevitably turned to the strange occurrences of the night before.
"I couldn't sleep a wink," Asher admitted, cracking eggs into a skillet. "I kept feeling like someone—or something—was watching me."
Laurel nodded in agreement, her brow furrowed with concern. "I heard strange noises too. It was like the house was alive with whispers."
Connor, stirring a pot of coffee, added, "I checked every room, but there was nothing there. It's like the walls themselves were playing tricks on us."
Oliver glanced around the room, his eyes narrowing with suspicion. "Do you think it's... haunted?" he ventured, only half-joking.
Michaela, who had been quietly sipping her coffee, looked up with a troubled expression. "I don't know what to think anymore. It's just... unsettling, you know? Especially after last night."
The mention of last night's events caused a shift in the atmosphere, the unease settling over them like a dark cloud. Asher, ever the optimist, tried to lighten the mood. "Well, at least we have each other, right? We'll get through this together."
Laurel placed a reassuring hand on Michaela's shoulder. "And whatever's going on, we'll figure it out. Just like we always do."
Michaela offered a weak smile, grateful for their support. "Thanks, guys. I guess we just have to stay focused on the case and hope for the best."
The conversation eventually turned to Michaela's phone call with Annalise the night before, and the lie she had told about visiting the tarot card reader.
"Are you worried about Annalise finding out?" Oliver asked, his concern evident.
Michaela nodded, her expression troubled. "I hate lying to her, but I didn't want her to think we were getting distracted from the case."
Connor chimed in, his voice firm. "We'll deal with it if and when it comes up. For now, let's just focus on the task at hand."
With a shared sense of determination, they finished breakfast and gathered their things, ready to face another day of unraveling the mysteries surrounding Becca Serrano's death. As they left the Airbnb and headed towards the courthouse, the shadows of the night before seemed to follow them, a reminder of the darkness lurking just beneath the surface.
The Keating 5 headed back to the Airbnb and gathered in the living room of their Airbnb, they continued their day as they had the others— with a deep dive into the cold case of Becca Serrano after their second meeting at the Bartholomew County Courthouse.
As Michaela prepared coffee, the aroma mingling with the tension in the air, she couldn't help but voice the question that had been gnawing at her since they began their investigation.
"Why would Wes Gibbins be involved with Becca Serrano? It doesn't make sense," Michaela mused, her brow furrowed in confusion.
The others exchanged uneasy glances, each grappling with their own theories and suspicions.
Asher, pouring himself a cup of coffee, offered, "Maybe they knew each other from school or something? It's not like we know everything about Wes's past."
Laurel, scrolling through case files on her laptop, added, "But why keep it a secret? And why tie her to the bridge where Wes died?"
Connor, flipping through a stack of documents, chimed in, "Maybe there's something in Becca's past that connects her to Wes. We just haven't found it yet."
Oliver, furrowing his brows in thought, suggested, "What if Becca stumbled upon something she shouldn't have? Something related to whatever Wes was involved in?"
Their conversation was abruptly interrupted by a sharp, loud bang echoing from upstairs, causing them to jump in their seats.
"What was that?" Michaela's voice was laced with unease as they exchanged alarmed glances.
Connor, ever the rational one, stood up, his expression determined. "I'll go check it out."
As he ascended the stairs, each step seemed to echo in the silence, the tension thickening with every passing moment. The others held their breath, their eyes fixed on the staircase, waiting for Connor's return.
After what felt like an eternity, Connor reappeared, his expression puzzled. "I checked upstairs, but there's no sign of damage or any banging sounds."
The group exchanged bewildered looks, the mystery of the noise adding to the growing unease that had settled over them since their arrival in Columbus.
"Maybe it was just the house settling or something," Asher suggested, though his voice lacked conviction.
With a collective nod, they returned their focus to the case at hand, the interruption a stark reminder of the uncertainty that surrounded them.
As they delved back into their research, the day stretched on, the weight of their investigation pressing down on them like a heavy fog.
As the Keating 5 delved deep into the details of the Becca Serrano case, their study session in the living room of the Airbnb was abruptly interrupted by the sharp chime of Asher's phone, signaling an incoming Facetime call. The group exchanged curious glances, wondering who could be contacting them at this hour.
Asher answered the call, and Annalise Keating's familiar face appeared on the screen, her expression expectant.
"Good afternoon, Annalise," Michaela greeted, trying to hide her surprise. "We were just discussing the case."
Annalise nodded, her gaze sharp. "I want updates. Anything new?"
Connor, ever the meticulous note-taker, cleared his throat. "We've been going over the case files, looking for any overlooked details. We're still in the early stages, but we're making progress."
Annalise's eyes narrowed slightly, her tone demanding. "Progress isn't good enough. I need results, and I need them soon."
Michaela, feeling the weight of Annalise's expectations, nodded earnestly. "We understand, Annalise. We'll keep pushing forward until we find answers."
As the conversation shifted to the case, a sudden gust of wind rattled the windows, sending a shiver down Michaela's spine. She glanced around the room, her eyes lingering on the old, creaking house around them. It was then that she noticed the others exchanging nervous glances, their expressions tense.
"Is everything okay?" Annalise's voice broke through Michaela's thoughts, drawing her attention back to the screen.
Michaela forced a smile, brushing off her unease. "Everything's fine, Annalise. Just a little jumpy, that's all."
But as the conversation continued, the atmosphere in the room seemed to shift, becoming charged with an inexplicable tension. Michaela couldn't shake the feeling that something was off, that there was more to their situation than met the eye.
Suddenly, Asher spoke up, his voice hesitant. "Um, Annalise, there's something we need to tell you."
Annalise's brow furrowed in confusion. "What is it?"
"It's... it's about the house," Asher began, his words careful. "We've been experiencing some... strange things since we arrived."
Laurel, her voice barely above a whisper, added, "There have been noises, and... and we all feel like we're being watched."
Annalise's expression hardened, her tone stern. "This isn't a ghost story, Asher. Focus on the case and leave the superstitions behind."
But Michaela couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to their experiences than mere superstition. As the Facetime call ended and the group returned to their study session, a sense of unease settled over them, casting a shadow over their determination to uncover the truth.
As they delved deeper into the case, the line between reality and the paranormal began to blur, leaving the Keating 5 questioning not only the mysteries surrounding Becca Serrano's death but the sinister forces at play in the very walls of their temporary home.