“The Warning No One Heard”
574 Words
LIORA'S POV Liora spent her entire first period staring at the black paper instead of the hologram board teaching Algebra.
Her teacher, Mrs. Verra, paused mid-lesson.
“Miss Mavens. If the spirit inside your locker note knows Algebra, perhaps it can teach the class?”
The whole class laughed.
Liora forced a smile and slid the paper deeper into her pocket.
She wasn’t ready for anyone else to see it. Not yet.
Arin poked her arm. “Why won’t you show the teacher? Or the security drones? Or—”
“Arin. Shhh.”
She glanced at the classroom cameras. “We don’t know who’s watching.”
Arin swallowed his words instantly.
Later, during break…
The cafeteria buzzed with noise — music beating, students shouting, drones carrying trays of food.
But at Liora’s table, it was completely silent.
Arin stared at her like she was about to explode.
“Liora,” he whispered, “what exactly did you see last night?”
Liora didn’t want to say it. Even thinking about it made her skin crawl.
“I heard screaming,” she finally said. “Behind the west dormitory. Then I saw two figures running. One chasing the other. And… someone got dragged into a black vehicle with no plates.”
Arin’s eyes widened. “A kidnapping?”
“I don’t know,” she whispered. “But someone saw me there. Someone from the Shadows.”
Arin looked like he was about to faint into his noodles.
“Okay, okay, no problem, Liora,” he said frantically. “We’re just—just being threatened by a criminal network. Totally fine. Amazing. Perfect. Great!”
“Calm down,” she hissed.
But before Arin could calm anything down, the lights flickered.
Then went out.
Then came back on.
A chill ran through the entire cafeteria.
The giant holographic screen on the wall buzzed and cracked—then switched to a glitching symbol.
A black mask.
The mark of The Shadows.
Students gasped. Teachers panicked. Security drones beeped in confusion.
A distorted voice echoed through the speakers:
“Do not search for the missing student.
Do not ask questions.
Keep your eyes closed.
Or we will open them for you.”
The screen shut off.
Silence.
Heavy.
Terrifying.
Then—
Someone yelled—
“TURN IT BACK ON! WHO’S DOING THIS?!”
Liora’s heart pounded so hard she could hear it in her ears.
This wasn’t a secret threat anymore.
The Shadows were warning the entire school.
Arin clutched Liora’s arm. “Please tell me this is a prank. Please. Please—”
A tray clattered onto the table.
Liora froze.
Xaden Crowe stood in front of them again.
Expression unreadable.
Eyes cold.
He leaned closer and lowered his voice.
“You should’ve burned the paper when I told you.”
Liora glared. “And why should I listen to you?”
“Because,” Xaden said, “the missing student isn’t the only one being watched.”
Arin squeaked. “Wh-wh-what do you mean by that?”
Xaden’s eyes locked on Liora.
“They know your name now.”
Liora’s stomach dropped.
She opened her mouth—
But Xaden grabbed her wrist suddenly.
“Come with me,” he said. “Now.”
“Why?” She yanked her hand back.
Xaden gave her a look that chilled her bones.
“Because if you stay here… the Shadows will come for you before sunset.”
- Writer
