Chapter 1: First Bell, Final Warning

The sky was still bruised from nightfall, a dull steel gray swallowing the stars whole. Streetlamps flickered like dying fireflies as Maya stood at her stop, cold air brushing against her legs beneath her black skirt.

She didn’t take the school bus.

Not because she couldn’t.

Because she wouldn’t—not when being one of the last pickups meant fifty pairs of eyes would burn into her skull like lasers. She wasn’t a zoo exhibit. Not anymore.

This bus? Fewer people. Fewer looks. Fewer reasons to feel like the world was watching.

The metal beast groaned to a stop, and she slipped one earbud out, letting the other hum with low, distorted music. As she climbed aboard, she passed rows of sleepy strangers, then spotted Mina two seats up. Their eyes met; a soft smile passed between them, small but solid.

Behind Mina she slid into a seat, bag hugged tight against her ribs like a shield.

Next stop: Karrie.

Rainbow hoodie. Quick smile. She sat opposite Maya, tapping fingers on her knee to a rhythm only she heard.

Next: the boy.

Luke strolled in like he owned the floor. Tall, all bones and warm arrogance. He greeted the girls with a playful tilt of the head, then sat beside Maya and — without hesitation — kissed her cheek.

Her face caught fire.

Maya: “That was cute, but… we’re not together, remember?”

She looked up at him, lips tugging into a smirk despite herself.

He pouted dramatically, leaning back with a sigh like fine, I’ll behave — but they both knew he wouldn’t.

Final stop: the tiniest of the gang. Mina's twin in chaos. She slid in front of Karrie like she belonged there, which she did.

The silence between them all wasn’t awkward. It was safe. Like they all shared a thought they weren’t ready to say aloud:

What if we don’t belong here?

The bus rolled to a stop, brakes hissing like steam in a horror movie.

The school loomed like a beast from another world. Plain brick and shattered windows. A crooked entrance with flickering lights overhead.

They stepped out and immediately clung to each other in a messy group hug, as if trying to carry the warmth of summer into this gray, cracked place.

Mina: “We’ve got an hour. Coffee or tour?”

Karrie: “Coffee is bad.”

Emma: “I already drank coffee.”

They spoke in unison, then glared at each other like dueling cats.

Maya: “Tour. This place looks like it eats people.”

Luke: “Let’s roll.”

Together, they walked into the unknown.
The inside? Worse than expected.

The halls stank of cigarettes and mold. Lockers yawned open with jagged metal teeth. No teachers. No order. Only chaos.

Couples were pressed against walls. Smoke curled lazily through the air. Someone threw a paper ball that hit a ceiling fan and exploded into confetti.

Then — a voice:

??: “Who are they?”

Another:
??: “Fresh meat.”

He emerged from the shadows like a villain in a teen drama. Tall, sharp-faced, black hair in a perfect cut that somehow made his scowl look deliberate.

A little entourage followed him like stray dogs.

??: “You won’t last a week. This school’s mine. Know your place.”

He bumped Luke’s shoulder hard enough to jolt him. Luke turned, jaw clenched, but didn’t move.

Luke (under breath): “Okay, that guy’s definitely compensating for something.”

Emma: “This place feels cursed…”

Maya: “Why does it smell like... regret?”

Then — a glimpse of hope. A frazzled older man in glasses shuffled past them, glancing like prey spotting predators.

Luke stopped him fast.

Luke: “Excuse me, sir — we’re new. Can someone show us where to go?”

The man stammered, nodded, then disappeared into the nearest office like he was fleeing a crime scene.

Ten minutes. No one spoke.

Then — salvation.

The door opened and she stepped out.

Helen.

Tall. Blonde. Glasses like ice. Her curves didn't match her strict posture, but her stare said: I’m in control here.
Her voice was sugar and silk, dragging every syllable like it meant something.

Helen: “I’m Miss Helen. History. Literature. Follow me.”

She led them like a parade through Hell. Explained the layout — rooms 1 to 15 down here, math, music, and a forgotten canteen.
Upstairs, rooms 16 to 30. A few more hidden beyond a crooked bridge.

Graffiti dripped from the walls like paint left to rot. Blood stains marred the corners. A poster screamed "Don’t Run, They’ll Hear You." Probably a joke.

Probably.

Helen: “If you’re art department, go to Class 22. Sports, Room 17. Business, Room 46. Five minutes till class. Run along now.”

She smiled like a queen who’d just handed them swords before a gladiator match.

And then she was gone.

Karrie: “Well, at least I’m with Mina.”

Mina: “For a day…”

Her smile faltered.

Maya: “Maybe we’ll all be partnered on a future project. That’d be cool.”

She placed a hand on Mina’s shoulder, gave her a soft, lopsided grin.

Emma: “We should get moving.”

Luke: “See ya. Later, Maya.”

His smile lingered. She stuck out her tongue and waved him off, cheeks warm again.

As they walked down the hall, Emma nudged Maya.

Emma: “You and Luke, huh?”

Maya: “Nope. Saw him a month ago. Barely spoke since.”

Emma: “Still crushing?”

Maya: “...Missed him. Not sure if it means anything.”

Emma: “He’s dumb anyway.”

Maya: “You had a crush on him too.”

Emma: “Yeah. He was annoying. Now he’s just... tolerable.”

Maya: “He’s not annoying. Just... special.”

Emma grinned. “Not more special than us.”

Maya’s eyes sparkled, mischief blooming.

Maya: “If anyone tries anything, we can play.
Above the line.
Below it.
Right on the edge.”

Their smirks matched.

Then Emma sobered.

Emma: “I met with Master. He gave me something. I just hope... he doesn’t hurt me again.”

Maya slowed her steps, concern etched deep.

Maya: “He’s trying to help. Maybe... maybe you’re ready to control it now.”

She touched Emma’s neck gently, like grounding her.

Emma: “I doubt it.”

Maya: “Well, I don’t. I’m not leaving your side. Not unless you leave mine first.”

She said it like an oath.

Then — they stepped into class.

Last to arrive. First to burn.