As Alex walked back into school after his two-week suspension, he felt the weight of every pair of eyes in the hallway. Whispers trailed behind him, and students parted to make room as he passed, unsure if they should welcome him back or stay clear. The events that led to his suspension still lingered in everyone’s mind—his confrontation with Victor had been the talk of the school. But the principal had made it clear upon his return: Alex needed to stay out of trouble.And so, when Alex walked into the lunchroom, expecting to sit with Samira like usual, he was met with the stern face of Principal Green. “Alex, I’m afraid you won’t be eating here for the next few weeks,” Principal Green said, crossing his arms as he stood in the lunchroom doorway. “Given your history with Victor and the ongoing tension, it’s better that you avoid any potential conflict.”Alex furrowed his brow. “But where am I supposed to go?”“The library,” Principal Hayes replied, not leaving room for negotiation. “
As Alex and Samira walked home together after school, the conversation naturally shifted to the events of the day. For the first time in a while, Alex wasn’t talking about battles, training, or Silas. Instead, he found himself talking about Naomi."You won't believe it," Alex began, glancing at Samira. "I met this girl in the library today."Samira raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh really? A girl in the library? At lunch?""I know, right?" Alex chuckled, shaking his head. "I was expecting the place to be empty, but she was there, completely absorbed in history books. I didn’t even think anyone would voluntarily be in the library during lunch."Samira smiled. "So, what did you talk about?""Well, we started talking about this history project we both have. She’s into it—like, really into it," Alex explained, his excitement evident in his voice. "She told me all about this ancient battle, the Battle of Thermopylae. She made it sound so epic, like something out of a movie or something. Ho
As Alex lay on his bed that night, the room dimly lit by the moonlight filtering through the window, his mind wandered back to Grandma Chen. The familiar ache of missing her settled in his chest, a feeling that had become all too familiar since her passing. He stared at the ceiling, his thoughts swirling, and he couldn’t help but wonder what life would be like if she were still here.*What would she think of all this?* Alex thought, his heart heavy. *Would she have been proud of me? Would things have been different?*There was a part of him that still longed for her presence, her wisdom, and the comfort she used to bring. Grandma Chen had been his rock, raising him after his mother died, teaching him about resilience, about how to survive in a world that often felt too harsh. Even though she never told him about the amulet or the powers that were part of his lineage, Alex understood why. She had wanted to protect him from the dangers that came with such knowledge.*But at what cost?*
The next day, Alex found himself back in the library during lunch, his thoughts still lingering on Naomi. He hadn’t expected to run into her again, but there she was, seated at the same table, surrounded by books. Something about her calm presence in the midst of the busy school day was refreshing to Alex. He felt drawn to her in a way he couldn’t quite explain.“Hey,” Alex greeted as he walked over, trying to sound casual. “Mind if I join you?”Naomi looked up, smiling warmly. “Sure, Alex. I’m just going over some notes for history class. You still working on that research?”Alex nodded, taking a seat across from her. “Yeah, kind of. But I was actually thinking, maybe we could grab lunch together. My treat.”Naomi raised an eyebrow, amused. “You’re offering to take me to lunch? That’s rare for a library regular.”Alex chuckled. “Well, let’s just say I’m trying to branch out. Come on, you’ve been stuck in here all week.”Naomi hesitated for a moment, then closed her book with a grin.
The next day, Alex walked into the principal's office with a sinking feeling in his gut. He had no idea why he'd been called in, but it didn't take long to figure out. Principal Davies sat behind his desk, looking stern, tapping his fingers against a folder in front of him."Alex," Principal Green began, "do you know why you're here?"Alex shook his head, trying to keep his expression neutral. "No, sir."Principal Green sighed and leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk. "It’s come to my attention that you were seen having lunch in the cafeteria during your suspension."Alex’s heart sank. "I wasn’t causing any trouble, sir. I was just—""It doesn’t matter," Principal Green interrupted. "Suspension means no privileges, including lunch in the cafeteria. You’re supposed to be completing your history research in the library, as I instructed. This isn't about you causing trouble. It’s about you following the rules."Alex clenched his fists, frustration bubbling up. He hadn't done an
In the days following his return to school, Alex found himself spending more and more time with Naomi. Their meetings in the library, which had once been occasional, turned into a daily routine. What began as a history project soon evolved into long, easy conversations about books, life, and the hidden stories tucked away in the corners of the school library.Alex had never really imagined himself being so drawn to someone, especially not in the midst of everything else going on in his life. But there was something about Naomi—her quiet confidence, her passion for history, and her ability to make even the most mundane topics seem interesting—that kept pulling him back. When they weren’t studying or working on the project, they’d talk about their favorite books, obscure historical events, or even just random things that crossed their minds.One afternoon, as the sunlight streamed through the library windows, casting a golden glow over the rows of books, Alex found himself staring at Na
As Alex sat next to Naomi in the library, the silence between them was comfortable but charged with something new. Naomi was flipping through the pages of their shared history book, but neither of them had said much in the last few minutes. Alex couldn’t stop glancing at her, feeling the tension between them grow.Naomi broke the silence first. “You’re distracted today,” she teased, her eyes still on the page but a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips. “What’s going on in that head of yours?”Alex cleared his throat, his heart racing. He didn’t want to sound too eager, but he couldn’t hide it anymore. “I’ve been thinking... about you. About us, actually.”Naomi looked up, eyebrows raised. “Oh? What about us?”“I don’t know,” Alex said, shifting in his seat. “It’s just... being around you is different now. It’s like I’m always looking forward to these moments.”Naomi tilted her head, her smile growing a little. “I noticed something had changed. I mean, you’ve been spending a l
Victor's jealousy had always been something he could control, a quiet simmer beneath his otherwise dominant persona. He had a way of keeping everything in check, maintaining his reputation as the untouchable guy at school, the one nobody dared challenge. But ever since Alex came back, and especially after seeing him with Naomi, Victor's composure was slipping, unraveling in ways that shocked even him.At lunch, Victor sat at his usual spot, surrounded by his loyal followers, Jake and Emily. His eyes, however, were glued to the far end of the room where Alex and Naomi sat, laughing together. The sight of them made his blood boil, the tight grip on his fork threatening to bend the metal."Look at them," he muttered through clenched teeth, his voice dripping with disdain. "It’s disgusting."Emily, ever the observant one, raised an eyebrow. "You’re really letting this get to you, huh? I thought you didn’t care about that whole Alex thing."Victor’s eyes darkened as he watched Naomi lean i
Astra moved through the shadows, her eyes sharp as she scanned the darkened streets. She’d been tracking Samira all night, but so far, the girl had managed to stay just out of reach. Astra smirked to herself. *You can run, Samira, but you can’t hide forever.*A flash of movement caught her attention as someone stepped out from a nearby alley. Astra’s smirk faded as she realized it wasn’t Samira—it was Naomi, completely unaware of the danger lurking around her.“Wrong place, wrong time, kid,” Astra muttered under her breath, slipping silently behind her.Naomi, glancing around nervously, felt the eerie presence but couldn’t place it. She quickened her pace, muttering to herself, “I hate walking alone at night… Should’ve waited for Ryan to walk with me.”Astra stepped out in front of her, blocking her path with a cold smile. “Well, well… What have we here?”Naomi gasped, stumbling back a step. “Who… Who are you?”Astra tilted her head, feigning innocence. “A friend of a friend. Or, mayb
As the sun dipped below the horizon, signaling the end of the first day of extra-curricular activities, Samira headed home, her mind racing. She barely noticed the streets passing by as her thoughts drifted back to Alex. The school had been buzzing all day with excitement, but beneath her own energy, there was a constant, gnawing worry about him. As she pushed open the front door, she was met by Lila, who was seated on the couch, looking deep in thought.“Hey,” Samira greeted, tossing her bag on the chair. “Long day?”Lila looked up and gave a faint smile. “You could say that. Dodgeball was intense, but that’s not really what’s been on my mind.”Samira sat down beside her, sighing. “Yeah... I know the feeling. I’ve been thinking about Alex all day.”Lila’s expression grew more serious. “I just can’t shake this feeling. We both know Silas has him. But why hasn’t Silas made a move yet? What’s he waiting for?”Samira leaned back, crossing her arms. “That’s what I’ve been wondering too.
The hallways of East Ridge High were alive with chatter and excitement. It was extra-curricular week, and the energy was contagious. Posters for various activities were plastered on every wall, students rushed between rooms for sign-ups, and laughter echoed off the lockers. It was as if the disappearance of Alex had faded into the background. "Can you believe it? Dodgeball tournament starts tomorrow!" one student said, grinning at his friend as they passed by Ryan, Samira Naomi.Naomi glanced at Ryan, her brow furrowing. "It's like everyone’s forgotten... about Alex."Ryan grunted in response, his jaw tight. “Yeah, it’s like he never existed. Just gone. Poof. And everyone’s excited about dodgeball.”Samira sighed, running a hand through her hair. "We should’ve heard something by now, right? I mean, he wouldn’t just vanish without a word. Not to us."Ryan stopped in his tracks, his fists clenching. “It’s like no one cares! How can they just move on like this? It’s been weeks, Naomi!”
Victor leaned casually against a locker, his arms crossed, a smug smirk on his face as a small group of students gathered around him. The chatter in the hallway quieted as Victor raised his voice just enough to be heard."Yeah, Alex ran off. Guess he finally realized he couldn't handle the heat. Not everyone can," Victor said with a confident grin, tossing a glance at a few onlookers. "I mean, it was only a matter of time. He’s been trying to play tough, but we all know who really runs things around here."One of his friends, a lanky kid with an eager-to-please attitude, nodded vigorously. "Yeah, man. You showed him. Probably couldn’t deal with you anymore."Victor shrugged, his smirk widening. "It’s not like I tried that hard. He just couldn’t keep up."A few of the students murmured in agreement, nodding along. Ryan, who had been standing nearby with Naomi, overheard the conversation and clenched his fists. His face twisted with anger as he stormed over to Victor. "You’re really f
The hallways buzzed with energy, students huddled in groups, whispers spreading like wildfire. As Samira and Ryan walked through the halls, they could hear snippets of conversation trailing behind them."Did you hear? Alex Chen’s gone missing.""No way. Seriously?""Yeah, no one’s seen him for days. He’s probably in some serious trouble."Ryan shot Samira a worried glance. "It’s everywhere already," he muttered.Samira clenched her fists, keeping her head down. "I figured it would spread fast, but this is ridiculous."A group of girls passed by, whispering louder than they realized. "Do you think he got into a fight with Victor again? Maybe he’s hiding."One of the girls scoffed. "Hiding? From Victor? Alex would never. He probably just ran off because he couldn’t handle the pressure."Ryan narrowed his eyes, his voice low. "I should say something. Set them straight.""Don’t," Samira warned, pulling him back. "Let them talk. We don’t need to give them more reason to gossip."Ahead of t
Lila paced back and forth, her fists clenched tightly as her mind raced. The normally composed martial artist was clearly shaken. Samira sat on the edge of the couch, her knee bouncing anxiously as she glanced at the door for the hundredth time that evening. Naomi leaned against the wall, arms folded, her eyes narrowing in deep thought, while Ryan hovered by the window, glancing outside as if expecting Alex to suddenly appear.Samira finally broke the tense silence, her voice trembling. "He’s never been gone this long without telling us. Something’s wrong."Lila stopped pacing, turning to face Samira. "I know. I’ve felt it too. But wherever he is, he’s not going to just disappear without reason."Ryan frowned, still staring out the window. "Maybe he just needed some time alone? You know Alex, always taking things on his own shoulders."Naomi shook her head. "No, not this time. He would’ve said something. This is different.Ryan turned, his brows furrowed. "So, what are we saying here?
As Alex’s world faded into black, the sound of Silas’s mocking laughter lingered in his ears, a cruel reminder of his failure. When his eyes fluttered open, everything was cold. His body ached, his wrists bound tightly in chains. The faint flicker of dim torchlight cast eerie shadows on the stone walls around him. He was in a cell, deep within Silas’s lair.Groaning, Alex tried to move, but the chains rattled with his effort, reminding him of his helplessness. His mind raced, replaying the events in his head. Silas was right there, taunting him, breaking him down bit by bit. And worse, Astra—someone he thought he could destroy—was somehow tied to the death of Grandma Chen. He hung his head low, feeling the weight of his own decisions. *I should’ve told Lila. I should’ve told Samira. What was I thinking, coming here alone?* His fists clenched as guilt gnawed at him. Suddenly, a voice broke through the silence, low and cold.“You’re awake.”Alex’s head shot up, eyes narrowing as Silas
Silas stood in the dark chamber, focusing his energy on the amulet’s connection to Alex. His eyes gleamed as he began weaving illusions through the bond. "It’s time to see just how far your emotions will take you, Alex Chen," he whispered.Through the shadows, he projected the vision: Astra lying on the ground, bloodied and broken. Her chest barely rising as she struggled to breathe. The scene shifted, showing Astra standing over Grandma Chen’s lifeless body, holding the blade that had ended her life.---Alex gasped, jolting upright in bed. His heart pounded, eyes wide as the horrific image burned into his mind.*No... she was part of it?*Without a second thought, Alex grabbed the amulet and stormed out of the room. He didn’t wake Lila or Samira, not even considering it. This was personal now. He had to face Astra—alone.---In the dim, cold cavern that served as Silas's lair, Alex arrived, fists clenched tight. His breath was ragged, his mind clouded with anger and betrayal."You,"
The Shadow Circle's chamber was filled with an unsettling quiet. Silas paced at the head of the room, his patience thinning.Raven glanced at Malachai, uneasy. “Silas, we’ve been watching them for a while now. They’re moving carefully. Alex has Lila, and she’s been covering their tracks.”“That’s the problem,” Silas snapped. “You’re watching. We’re sitting back while the boy grows stronger. And Lila? She’s making him dangerous.”Malachai shifted, his deep voice calm but calculated. “We underestimated her. She’s using skills we didn’t account for.Silas stopped pacing, his eyes cold as they met Malachai’s. “Underestimated? That’s what you tell me now? What you call underestimating, I call incompetence. Alex and Lila should’ve been in my grasp long ago.”Raven stiffened, but didn’t speak. Silas’s temper was notorious, and she wasn’t about to provoke him further.“Alex’s power,” Silas continued, ignoring their silence, “it’s growing. The amulet responds to his emotions—rage, fear, all of