When tuesday afternoon settled gently over Westwood High.
Classes had ended.
The library had grown quiet.
Golden sunlight stretched across the courtyard, casting long shadows beneath the old oak tree.
The First Chapter Bench waited where it always had.
Noah stood beside it with the envelope in his hands.
Lily arrived a moment later.
She didn't ask if he was ready.
She simply sat beside him.
After a long silence, Noah looked at the smaller folded note.
For Noah. When Ready.
He smiled nervously.
"I think..."
"This time I really am."
Lily nodded.
"I'm here."
Carefully—
he broke the seal.
The paper inside was old.
The handwriting matched the first letter.
He began reading quietly.
«Dear Noah,
If you're reading this, then you've already found the first letter.
That means
