The Three Masked Figures
744 Words
For a moment, no one moved.
Not Liora.
Not Jace.
Not Nova.
Not Arin—who looked about three seconds away from passing out.
And definitely not the three masked figures standing at the edge of the trees.
Tall.
Silent.
Motionless.
Their white masks had a single black line down the center—
like a cracked crescent.
Liora’s heart thudded so loudly she was sure the Shadows could hear it.
The rescued girl grabbed Liora’s hoodie, trembling violently.
“They followed me,” she whispered.
“They don’t let anyone leave.”
Xaden stepped in front of the group, positioning himself between them and the masked figures.
“Stay behind me,” he murmured.
Arin clutched Nova’s arm. “I vote we run. Immediately. Like—fast enough to break the sound barrier.”
“Shut up, Arin,” Nova hissed.
The Shadows Move
One of the masked figures took a slow step forward.
Then another.
The sound was soft—
just the crunch of leaves.
But it felt like thunder in Liora’s chest.
Xaden raised his voice, strong and steady:
“What do you want?”
The Shadow in the center tilted its head slightly.
Then it lifted a hand…
And pointed directly at Liora.
Her stomach dropped.
“Oh no,” Arin whispered. “They want Liora. I KNEW IT. Main characters always get targeted.”
“Arin.” Nova smacked him. “Not helping.”
The Whispering Wind
A strange wind blew through the trees.
Cold.
Unnatural.
It carried a faint voice—
a whisper so soft it felt like it slid into their ears:
“Return her…”
Liora shivered. “Return who?”
The girl behind her whimpered. “They mean me. I escaped.”
Nova stepped in front of the girl. “Well, too bad. She’s not going anywhere with you creep-ghost ninjas.”
The masked figure suddenly raised both arms—
And the trees behind it shook violently.
Branches bent.
Leaves spiraled.
The air itself felt heavier.
Jace’s eyes widened. “Is that… wind manipulation?!”
Arin screamed, “OH GREAT, NOW THEY HAVE POWERS?! I DID NOT SIGN UP FOR THIS!”
Xaden Acts
The middle Shadow stepped forward again.
Xaden reached back and grabbed Liora’s hand.
“Run.”
He didn’t shout it.
He didn’t panic.
He just said it — firm, urgent.
And they trusted him.
“Go!” Liora yelled.
The group sprinted into the night, dragging the rescued girl with them.
Behind them…
The Shadows moved too.
Quiet.
Fast.
Almost gliding.
The Chase
Liora crashed through bushes, her breath burning, her legs aching.
Arin was screaming the entire time, which actually helped them know he was still alive.
Nova kept yelling, “DON’T TRIP! IF YOU TRIP I’M LEAVING YOU!”
Jace stayed behind Liora, checking on the girl every few seconds.
Xaden stayed last—
watching the Shadows, pushing the group forward.
The Shadows didn’t run like humans.
They moved in sharp, flickering motions.
Disappearing.
Reappearing.
Getting closer.
“Left!” Xaden shouted.
They turned sharply toward the old fence behind the science building.
“There’s a hole here!” Arin yelled.
“We know!” Nova yelled back.
They dove through the narrow gap one by one.
The rescued girl crawled through sobbing.
Xaden slid through last—
and pulled a fallen branch to block the opening.
It wouldn’t stop the Shadows for long.
But it might buy a few seconds.
Safe… For Now
They collapsed behind an old storage shed.
Everyone gasped for breath.
Arin was wheezing like a broken vacuum cleaner.
Nova tried to smooth her hair and failed miserably.
Jace clutched his knees, shaking.
The rescued girl cried silently, curling into herself.
Liora tried to calm her heartbeat.
Xaden listened for footsteps.
Only silence.
After a full minute, he finally said,
“They’re gone.”
Arin flopped onto the ground. “THANK. GOODNESS.”
Nova rubbed her forehead. “Okay… someone explain why masked shadow people are chasing children at midnight.”
Jace turned to the trembling girl.
“What’s your name?” he asked gently.
She wiped her tears.
“Celia,” she whispered.
Liora leaned closer. “Celia… why were they chasing you?”
Celia looked up, eyes wide with terror.
“Because…”
She swallowed hard.
“Because I know what the school is hiding. And if I tell anyone…”
She looked at all of them.
“…Crescent High will be destroyed.”
- Writer
