“Okay, guys, now it’s getting serious,” Lena said, looking each of them in the eyes. “We have to catch the culprit red-handed.”
Max nodded. “Exactly. We set a trap – one the perpetrator can’t ignore.”
“And what should that look like?” Mia asked skeptically. “I mean, he or she is hiding behind some phone names.”
“Simple,” Sam replied with a grin. “We pretend we have new evidence – screenshots proving we know who is behind the chat.”
“And then?” Mia pressed.
“Then we send a message in the chat saying we will inform the police if the bullying doesn’t stop immediately,” Max explained. “That will lure the culprit out of hiding. He or she will react – and then we can strike.”
“Sounds risky,” Lena murmured. “But maybe we have no other choice.”
They spent the next hours formulating the perfect text. Mia was to send the message to make it more believable. After all, the culprit had to think they were really about to report everything.
When the big break came, the four gathered at their usual meeting spot behind the gym. Mia took out her phone, her fingers trembling slightly. “Are you ready?” she asked.
“Ready as never before,” Max replied, patting her on the shoulder.
Mia typed the message: “We have evidence and will involve the police if the bullying doesn’t stop immediately. You can’t hide any longer.”
She sent the message. Seconds later, her phone vibrated – a new message in the secret chat!
“Now, now, now,” it said. “You think you can intimidate us? You’ll regret that.”
“Okay, that was to be expected,” Sam said grinning. “Now we’ve cast the bait. Let’s see who bites.”
But then something happened that no one had expected: Max’s phone suddenly started ringing loudly. Everyone jumped as his screen lit up – an unknown number was calling.
“I’m not answering,” Max whispered nervously. “This could be a trap.”
But the ringing didn’t stop. Finally, Max hesitantly picked up. “Hello?”
A distorted voice answered: “You’re too curious, Max. Better stop before it’s too late.”
“Who are you?” Max asked, though a chill ran down his spine.
“You’ll find out soon enough,” the voice growled and hung up.
“That wasn’t very friendly,” Lena said worriedly. “We have to be careful. This is getting bigger than we thought.”
“But we won’t give up,” Mia said determined. “We just have to get smarter.”
Just as they were about to regroup, they heard footsteps behind them. They quickly turned around – but no one was there. Only the rustling of leaves in the wind.
“Did you hear that?” Sam whispered.
“Someone is watching us,” Max murmured.
“This won’t be a walk in the park anymore,” Lena said quietly. “But together we can do this – for sure.”
And as they headed home again, they all felt that the game was only just beginning...