Home Isn’t Safe Either
668 Words
Being sent home early should have felt like a blessing.
But for Liora, Arin, Nova, and Jace, it felt like walking out of the school gates with a massive “TARGET ME PLEASE” sign taped to their backs.
As they exited, Liora noticed something strange.
Parents gathered near the road.
Some looked scared.
Some whispered in tight groups.
Some kept checking their phones like emergency alerts might pop up any second.
Arin muttered, “This is… weird.”
Nova stared around. “No kidding. Crescent High is becoming a horror movie.”
Jace squinted at Liora. “What if the Shadows follow us home?”
Liora didn’t answer.
Because deep down… she thought the same thing.
Liora’s House — Tension & Spaghetti
When Liora got home, her mom hugged her like she had escaped a burning building.
“Why are you back early? Are you sick? Did you faint again? Did someone fight you? Is the school food poisoning you?”
“Mum, I’m fine. I promise.”
Her mother stared at her suspiciously. “Eat something.”
She placed a giant plate of spaghetti in front of Liora, the kind that could feed a small army.
Liora twirled the noodles, trying to stay calm.
Trying to pretend everything was normal.
But then—
THUD.
Something hit the window.
She flinched and ran to check.
Nothing.
Just a tree branch…
Or she hoped.
At dinner, her father kept glancing at her. “Liora… is anything happening at school?”
Her spoon paused mid-air.
Should she tell them?
The Shadows.
The symbol.
The message on the school gate.
No.
She couldn’t drag them into this mess.
“I’m okay,” she whispered.
Her father didn’t believe her.
She could tell.
Meanwhile — Arin’s House
Arin’s family home was loud, messy, and filled with younger siblings running around like powered-up robots.
His mom pulled him aside.
“Arin, your principal called. He said there’s… unusual activity at the school. Are you involved?”
Arin raised his hands. “I swear I haven’t blown anything up—this time.”
“That doesn’t make me feel better.”
Arin went to his room.
Locked the door.
Sat on his bed.
His window was open… but he didn’t open it.
The wind carried a faint whisper.
“Find us…”
Arin froze.
No one else heard it.
Nova’s House — Bright & Suspicious
Nova walked into her house and immediately unplugged every smart device she owned.
Her mum frowned. “What are you doing?”
“Safety.”
“From what?”
“…Hackers. Robots. Shadows.”
Her mum sighed. “I’m calling your therapist.”
Nova groaned.
Then—
Her phone buzzed.
A message.
Unknown number.
“You shouldn’t have touched the code.”
Her heart stopped.
She dropped the phone.
Jace’s House — Not as Safe as Expected
Jace lived with his uncle, who worked night shifts.
The house was quiet, empty, a little lonely.
He put down his bag and went to get water.
Then he noticed the door.
Slightly open.
He was sure he locked it when he left that morning.
“Hello?” he called.
No answer.
He walked slowly, heart pounding, checking each room.
Everything normal.
Nothing out of place.
Until he reached his room.
On his bed sat a small black envelope.
His breath hitched.
He opened it.
Inside…
A tiny pendant shaped like a crescent moon—
Cut down the middle.
He dropped it instantly.
Someone had been in his house.
Group Chat — Panic Mode Activated
The four of them texted rapidly:
Liora: Something is wrong. I keep hearing noises.
Arin: Someone whispered my name outside my window.
Nova: I got a message from an unknown number.
Jace: Someone entered my house.
Silence.
Then Arin typed:
Arin: Guys… we’re in danger.
Liora: We already knew that.
Arin: No, I mean real danger. They’re not just watching the school anymore…
Nova: They’re watching us.
Jace: What do we do?
Liora:
…We fight back.
- Writer
