The Shadows of Crescent High

LIORA’S POV The first bell of Crescent High screamed through the air like it was announcing the end of the world. Liora Mavens sprinted through the courtyard, backpack half-zipped, toast in her mouth, and one shoe untied. “Liora! You're late again!” Arin shouted, jogging behind her like a dying goat. “I’m not late,” Liora yelled back. “I’m dramatically early for the next class.” They crashed into the hallway just as the second bell rang. Students swarmed everywhere—robots delivering textbooks, floating screens announcing school events, teachers yelling at holographic projections that didn’t even listen. Typical morning in Aurelia District School-City. Liora reached her locker and pulled it open— A folded black paper fell onto her shoes. She frowned. No one used paper in Crescent High. Everything was digital. She picked it up. The paper was cold. The ink was darker than normal—almost alive. It read: “We saw what you witnessed last night. Keep quiet. Or you’ll be next.” Signed, — The Shadows Liora’s heart froze. Last night. The scream. The figure running. The student disappearing behind the west dormitory. Arin peeked over her shoulder. “Liora… who sent that?” Before she could answer, the hallway grew silent—unnaturally silent. A boy walked past them. Cold, sharp aura. Dark eyes. The type that made teachers nervous and students whisper. POV: Xaden Crowe. He looked at the paper in her hand, then at her face. “Throw that away,” he said quietly. “And pretend you never received it.” Liora’s voice shook. “Why? You know something?” Xaden paused. His jaw tightened. “I know everything.” Then he walked away. Arin gasped dramatically. “Liora… you just talked to the most mysterious boy in the district!” But Liora couldn’t hear her. Because Xaden’s words echoed in her mind: “I know everything.” And for the first time… Liora realized she was already part of the crime.