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Beyond the Bottom The descent
Chapter 10The room’s oppressive silence was broken only by the faint hum of the syringe in the man’s hand. Jamal, Alex, and Rachel sat bound to their chairs, their hearts pounding as Reginald’s cold gaze swept over them.“This isn’t just about you three,” Reginald began, his tone icy and authoritative. “You’ve meddled in affairs far beyond your comprehension. Now, you’ll face the consequences.”The man in the lab coat approached Jamal first, his movements deliberate. Jamal’s eyes darted to his friends, silently pleading for a plan.“Don’t you dare!” Rachel shouted, struggling against the ropes. “You can’t do this to us!”“Oh, but we can,” Victoria replied, her voice like silk. “And we will.”As the syringe neared Jamal’s arm, the door suddenly burst open.“Stop!” a commanding voice rang out.Everyone turned to see a woman in a sharp black suit standing in the doorway, her expression stern. Behind her stood two
Beyond the Bottom Shadows at Lincoln High
---Chapter 11The next morning, the trio awoke in the safe house, the weight of the previous night's events hanging over them like a dark cloud. Jamal stared at the worn ceiling of his room, his mind racing with what Evelyn had revealed. Marcus’s parents weren’t just dangerous—they were deeply tied to something far bigger and far more sinister.After a quick breakfast, Evelyn dropped them off a few blocks from Lincoln High.“Keep a low profile,” she advised, her tone firm. “Act normal. Blend in. And remember—if anything feels off, call me immediately.”Jamal nodded, his jaw tight with determination. “We will.”As they approached the school gates, the familiar hum of students greeted them. Jamal adjusted the strap of his backpack, feeling the surreal weight of stepping back into normalcy after everything they had just been through.Rachel scanned the bustling crowd nervously. “Do you think Marcus will show his face
Beyond the Bottom The unseen truth
---Chapter 12The next day at Lincoln High, the trio arrived earlier than usual. The whispers about Marcus’s family had intensified overnight, and even teachers seemed to be on edge. Jamal noticed Principal Hernandez standing near the entrance, speaking in hushed tones with a man in a suit—probably an investigator.“Looks like the school’s involved now,” Rachel murmured, following Jamal’s gaze.Alex shrugged. “Can’t say I’m surprised. Marcus’s parents have their hands in everything around here.”Jamal nodded, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. The way Hernandez kept glancing toward the students made him uneasy. It wasn’t just about Marcus’s family. There was something more.---In their second period, English class, the trio sat near the back as Mr. Collins assigned an essay on “the pursuit of truth.” Jamal smirked at the irony but quickly turned his focus to the class. Midway through the lesson, a note slid onto his desk.“Library. 4 PM. Come alone.”Jamal gla
Beyond the Bottom Trouble on the horizon
--- Chapter 13 Jamal sat on the edge of his bed, staring at the crumpled note he’d found tucked into his locker that morning. “Stay out of it.” Three words, scrawled hastily on plain paper, but the message was loud and clear. He turned the paper over in his hands, the edges soft from where he’d folded and unfolded it a dozen times. His first instinct was to toss it into the trash and forget about it, but a deeper part of him—the part that had seen too much to back down—told him to keep it. The muffled sound of his mom humming floated in from the kitchen, breaking his train of thought. He shoved the note into his backpack and headed downstairs. “Morning, sweetheart,” his mom said without looking up as she flipped a pancake onto a plate. “Hungry?” Jamal hesitated, torn between wanting to sit and enjoy a normal breakfast and the gnawing tension in his stomach. “I’m good,” he said finally, grabbing an apple from the counter. “Not much of an appetite today.” His mom turned,
Beyond the Bottom the choice of darkness
---Chapter 14The next day at Lincoln High felt different, as though the air itself carried a charge that made every glance sharper and every word heavier. Jamal could feel it the moment he walked through the front doors—like the walls had absorbed the tension from the murmurs and whispers swirling through the halls.Rachel and Alex were already waiting for him by his locker, their expressions a mix of worry and determination.“Did you check it yet?” Rachel asked, her voice low but insistent.Jamal shook his head, pulling his backpack closer. “Not here. Too many eyes.”Alex crossed his arms, leaning against the locker with an exaggerated casualness. “Good call. Feels like half the school is looking for an excuse to talk about us already.”“They’re not looking at us,” Rachel said sharply. “They’re looking for Marcus.”Jamal glanced around. She wasn’t wrong. The usual hum of chatter in the hallways was tinged with something sharper, and every conversation seemed to carry Marcus’s name
Beyond the Bottom Shadows closing in
---Chapter 15Jamal paced back and forth in his room, the documents Evelyn had slipped him spread out across his desk. The word “Controlled Assets” glared up at him from the first page, and his mind raced as he tried to piece together the full picture. Evelyn, a detective working undercover, had risked everything to get this information to him.Now she was in danger.A sharp knock on the door startled him. Jamal quickly swept the papers into a drawer and called out, “Come in.”His mom peeked her head through the door. “Dinner’s ready, Jamal. You’ve been in here all day.”“Thanks, Mom. I’ll be down in a bit,” he replied, forcing a smile.As soon as she left, he pulled the documents back out and grabbed his phone. Rachel and Alex needed to see this.---Later that evening, Jamal, Rachel, and Alex gathered in the back corner of the local café. The place was nearly empty, the soft hum of conversation and the clinking of cups providing the perfect cover for their discussion.“These papers
Beyond the Bottom The Missing piece
Chapter 16The following morning, Jamal heard his phone vibrating on the nightstand. Rachel's name appeared on the screen as he groggily picked it up."Good morning," he said in a raspy voice.Without introducing herself, Rachel stated, "We have a problem." "I believe someone has been following me, and Evelyn still has not shown up."Jamal sat up immediately. "What? "Are you sure?""I noticed the same black car outside my house both this morning and last night. It is not an accident.“All right,” Jamal said, attempting to think clearly. "We must convene and determine our course of action. Alex too.”“Already called him,” Rachel replied. “He’s on his way to the café.”“I’ll meet you there.”Jamal hung up, quickly dressed, and grabbed the USB drive from his desk. If they were being watched, they couldn’t afford to make any mistakes.---The café was busier than usual when Jamal arrived, but Rachel and Alex were seated in their usual corner. Rachel had her laptop open, her face a mix of
Beyond the Bottom The weight of consequences
Chapter 17Jamal pulled into a secluded clearing far from the lab and shut off the engine. The car fell silent, save for the heavy breathing of its occupants. Evelyn sat in the backseat, her head resting against the window, her face illuminated by the faint glow of a nearby streetlamp.“You okay?” Rachel asked, turning around to look at her.Evelyn nodded weakly, though her eyes were dark with exhaustion. “I’ll live. Thanks to you.”“You’re welcome,” Jamal said. “But we need answers—now.”Evelyn sighed, closing her eyes briefly. “I know. Just… give me a moment.”“We don’t have time,” Rachel snapped, her voice sharper than intended. “That alarm wasn’t just a warning—it’s a signal. They’ll be looking for us.”“She’s right,” Alex added. “We’re sitting ducks here.”Jamal nodded, putting the car back in gear. “We’ll head to my place. It’s safer, and we can regroup there.”---Jamal’s parents were asleep when they slipped into the house through the back door. The group gathered in the basem
Latest Chapter
The New Rival
Chapter 88The atmosphere on campus was buzzing with life as students spilled out of lecture halls and lounges, creating a lively hum of chatter and movement. Jamal sat on a bench near the main quad, sketching out ideas for a new project in his notebook. Skilbridge was still in the back of his mind, but he decided to let it simmer while focusing on other aspects of college life. He hadn’t realized how much he needed to take a break from the pressure. The app, the meetings, the constant rush—it all felt like a weight that had slowly crept onto his shoulders.Leah joined him, balancing a tray of iced coffee and a small paper bag filled with pastries. “I got your usual,” she said, handing him a cup with a smile.“Thanks,” Jamal replied, taking a sip. “You’re a lifesaver.”Leah settled next to him on the bench, tearing into one of the pastries. “So, how’s the app coming along?”Jamal paused, glancing at his phone screen where the Skilbridge dashboard sat open in front of him. “It’s… comin
Threads Of Connection
Chapter 87The room fell into an uneasy silence as everyone huddled around Ethan’s laptop. The subject line of the email glared back at them like a warning beacon.“Cease and desist?” Zoe asked, her voice filled with disbelief. “What does that even mean? What are they claiming?”Ethan opened the email, scanning the contents quickly. His brow furrowed as he read aloud.“To Whom It May Concern: It has come to our attention that your product, Skilbridge, infringes upon proprietary features and intellectual property owned by Zenith Networks. We demand that you immediately cease all development and distribution of your app, or we will pursue legal action…”He trailed off, his face pale. “They’re claiming we stole their idea.”“That’s ridiculous!” Leah said, pacing the room. “Our app is entirely original. Zenith Networks focuses on corporate networking events—we’re not even in the same space!”“Makes sense,” Zoe muttered, folding her arms. “Milo always bragged about how his dad’s company wa
Defining Moments
Chapter 86The morning of the investor pitch was met with nervous energy. Jamal woke early, sitting on the edge of his bed, staring at the pitch deck on his laptop for the hundredth time. The stakes had never felt higher.Ethan was already awake, of course, sipping on a mug of coffee and fine-tuning the app’s demo on his screen. “You ready for this?” he asked without looking up.“As ready as I’ll ever be,” Jamal replied, closing his laptop. “How’s the demo looking?”“Solid,” Ethan said confidently. “It’s running smoother than ever. We’re good to go.”The rest of the team slowly trickled in. Leah arrived with a large paper bag of pastries, followed by Zoe, who was balancing a tray of coffee cups. Evan strolled in last, carrying a rolled-up banner that read: "Skilbridge: Bridging Gaps, Building Connections."“Why do we need a banner?” Ethan asked, raising an eyebrow.“Presentation is everything,” Evan said, unfurling it dramatically. “You’re welcome.”Leah chuckled. “I’m with Evan on th
Building Bridges Contd
Chapter 85The following morning, Jamal woke up to the sound of his phone buzzing on his nightstand. Groggily, he reached over, glancing at the screen. It was a message from Rachel."Hey, can we do that video call later today? I have a few ideas that might help us with the next pitch."Jamal quickly typed back. "Sure! How about 3 p.m.?"Rachel replied almost immediately. "Sounds perfect. Talk soon!"After the brief exchange, Jamal rubbed his eyes and glanced at the clock. It was already past noon, and the group was expected to meet with Professor Clarke again in a few hours for a final review of the pitch. He could already feel the weight of the day pressing down on him. There was so much to get done, and with the investor pitch looming, the pressure was building.As he grabbed his laptop and headed out the door, Leah was already in the hallway, carrying a pile of printed documents.“Got everything for the meeting?” Jamal asked.“Yep,” Leah said, her face set in determination. “We nee
Building Bridges
Chapter 84The sun rose over campus, casting a warm glow on the bustling college grounds. Jamal was the first to wake, thanks to the blaring alarm he had set on his phone. He groaned, fumbling to turn it off before dragging himself out of bed. The faint sound of Ethan’s keyboard clacking could already be heard from the other side of the dorm.“You don’t sleep, do you?” Jamal asked, rubbing his eyes.“Sleep is for the weak,” Ethan replied without looking up. “I’m tweaking the user analytics dashboard. We need better insights on engagement metrics before the next beta test.”Jamal chuckled. “You know that’s not healthy, right?”“Neither is missing our meeting with Clarke,” Ethan shot back.Jamal’s eyes widened. “What time is it?”“Relax,” Ethan said with a smirk. “We’ve got two hours. I just wanted to see you panic.”“You’re the worst,” Jamal muttered, grabbing his towel and heading to the bathroom.---By the time Jamal returned, the dorm was alive with activity. Leah and Zoe had arriv
Campus Chronicles
Chapter 83It had been a week since Rachel and Alex returned to their respective lives, and the team was finally settling back into the rhythm of college. The energy Rachel and Alex left behind was palpable, driving Jamal, Leah, Zoe, Ethan, and even Evan to work harder on their dreams. Yet, college life waited for no one. Between classes, projects, and social obligations, they still found themselves juggling more than they thought possible.Jamal sat in the lecture hall, scribbling notes furiously while Professor Clarke discussed negotiation strategies. Leah was seated a few rows ahead, her notebook already filled with diagrams and bullet points. Every now and then, she’d turn back to give Jamal a knowing look as if to say, Keep up.Once the lecture ended, the two made their way to the campus café, where Zoe was waiting. She had her sketchpad open, and her pencil danced across the page as she worked on designs for a potential Skilbridge branding overhaul.“You’re early,” Zoe said, not
Balancing Dreams and Reality
Chapter 82The weeks following the pitch meeting were a whirlwind of emails, calls, and countless hours spent refining Skilbridge. Jamal, Leah, Ethan, and Zoe had their hands full, but the added energy of Rachel and Alex's visit kept them all grounded. Though their college lives were busy, their commitment to the app kept them connected in ways that were impossible to ignore.It was a crisp, sunny Friday afternoon when Rachel and Alex finally made their departure. They’d spent the last few days back on campus, catching up with old friends, attending meetings, and lending their expertise to Skilbridge. But now, it was time for them to head back to their respective schools—Rachel to Stanford and Alex to Boston for his basketball team’s next game.Jamal and the rest of the team had made plans to meet up one last time before they left. The campus quad was buzzing with activity, students lounging in the grass, discussing everything from upcoming exams to weekend plans. Some were walking be
The First Pitch
Chapter 81The air inside the conference room was thick with anticipation. Jamal stood at the front, his palms clammy, the PowerPoint presentation blinking behind him. His team was spread out around the table, Rachel and Alex leaning in from one side, while Ethan, Zoe, and Leah had their eyes locked on the screen. Everyone was ready.Jamal cleared his throat, adjusting the collar of his shirt. It was a subtle move, but enough to show his nerves. He had practiced this pitch a thousand times in his head, but now that it was real, everything felt different. The room felt too quiet, too vast."Alright," he began, his voice a little rougher than he intended. "Thank you for taking the time to meet with us. My name is Jamal Davenport, and I’m here with my team: Ethan, Leah, Zoe, Rachel, and Alex. We’re the creators of Skilbridge, an app designed to connect students and professionals through a new kind of mentorship system."He paused, letting the words settle. There were two investors on the
Weight of Decision
Chapter 80The following days felt like a whirlwind. With Rachel and Alex in town, the team had been running at full speed—working late into the night on revisions, brainstorming marketing strategies, and refining their pitch for potential investors. The presence of the two new members energized everyone, but the pressure was building, and Jamal could feel it weighing on him more than ever.By the end of the week, the team had made significant progress. Ethan had worked out a few major bugs in the app’s back-end code, while Leah and Zoe had finalized the marketing plan. Rachel had dived into the user research, offering insights that helped tweak their messaging. Alex, despite his packed basketball schedule, had been instrumental in helping refine the pitch. His ability to break things down in simple terms had been a game changer, allowing them to clearly communicate Skilbridge’s value proposition.But now, it was time for the next big decision: who to approach first for investment.Ja
