“The Boy Who Knows Too Much… and the Two Who Know Nothing”
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Xaden walked so fast Liora was practically jogging behind him.
“Slow down!” she hissed. “You’re tall, mysterious, and dramatic — we get it!”
Arin struggled behind them, panting like a grandmother climbing a mountain.
“Why… are… his legs… so LONG?”
Xaden ignored them like he was allergic to conversation.
He led them into a quiet hallway behind the library — a place students rarely went unless they were lost, sad, or hiding from homework.
Liora crossed her arms. “Okay, Mr. Intense Staring Contest. Why drag me here?”
Xaden glanced at her. “Because you’re being watched.”
“Well, that’s nothing new,” Liora said. “Teachers watch me, Arin watches me, the cafeteria robots watch me to make sure I don’t steal bread—”
“Liora,” Xaden cut in, “I’m serious.”
“Same.”
Arin nodded vigorously. “She really did steal bread once.”
Liora elbowed him. “It was one time! And I was hungry!”
Xaden sighed, rubbing his temples — like he was regretting every life decision that led him to this moment.
Then someone stepped into the hallway.
A girl with silver hair tied neatly, elegant posture, calm eyes that missed nothing.
Nova Ryland.
Top student. Perfect reputation. Zero nonsense.
“Crowe,” Nova said. “You’re causing a scene.”
Xaden’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Ryland.”
Liora blinked.
Oh great. Even their greetings sound like two assassins meeting in a dark alley.
Nova turned to Liora and Arin, her expression softening just a bit.
“You two shouldn’t be near him,” she said politely.
Liora raised a brow. “Wow, thanks. Very comforting.”
“It’s not an insult,” Nova replied. “It’s a warning.”
Before Liora could ask why, another voice shouted from down the hall —
“HEY! WAIT UP! I BROUGHT SNACKS!”
Jace Emberlyn sprinted toward them, arms full of chips, juice boxes, and a suspicious sandwich that looked like it was alive.
He skidded to a stop.
Then tripped.
Then fell.
Then the sandwich slapped the floor dramatically.
Arin gasped. “THE SANDWICH! NOOO!”
Liora face-palmed.
Xaden stared like he was questioning the entire species of humanity.
Nova silently stepped back to avoid food debris.
Jace jumped up instantly.
“I’m okay! The floor hit me but I survived!”
Liora deadpanned. “Jace… why are you here?”
He puffed his chest proudly.
“I sensed you were in danger.”
“You heard me scream in the cafeteria,” Arin corrected.
“I felt it spiritually.”
Nova cleared her throat. “Okay. Enough chaos. Xaden, explain.”
Xaden looked at Liora again — serious, intense, the hallway lights reflecting in his dark eyes.
“The Shadows made a move today,” he said. “They don’t give warnings unless they’ve already chosen a target.”
Liora felt her chest tighten.
“Target… as in… me?”
Xaden nodded once.
Arin screamed.
Jace screamed because Arin screamed.
Nova slapped her forehead.
Liora just blinked rapidly, trying not to panic.
“But WHY me?” Liora demanded.
Xaden hesitated — just a second, but Liora caught it.
Nova noticed too. “Crowe… tell her.”
Jace whispered, “Ooh, drama.”
Xaden exhaled slowly.
“When you witnessed that incident last night… someone saw you. And the missing student—”
He stopped again.
Liora’s breath caught. “What about the missing student?”
Xaden finally met her eyes.
“He tried to reach you before he disappeared.”
Liora’s heart dropped.
“What? Why me?”
Nova stepped closer. “Because he left a message.”
Arin grabbed her sleeve. “Liora, this is bad. REALLY BAD.”
Jace nodded. “Super bad. Ultra bad. Mega bad—”
Liora snapped, “JACE, WE GET IT!”
Xaden looked away for a moment.
Then said the words that changed everything:
“The missing student said… ‘Find Liora Mavens. She knows the truth.’”
Liora froze.
Arin’s jaw dropped.
Jace fainted dramatically onto the floor.
Nova’s expression finally cracked with surprise.
And Xaden?
He looked at Liora with something strange in his eyes.
Not fear.
Not anger.
Something else.
“Liora,” he said quietly, “whatever you saw last night… it’s bigger than you think.”
- Writer
