Ridgeway Academy: The Girl Who Entered As A Boy

Raven’s POV I stared at my phone when it started ringing. I almost didn’t pick it up, wondering if I should or not. Then I picked it up. “Raven !” His voice came through loud. I didn’t expect it, and it made me worried. I exhaled slowly, leaning back on the chair. “You’re shouting. Did you finally lose your hearing, or are you just excited to annoy me today?” He laughed immediately. It was his usual easy laugh that made everything feel normal, even when our life wasn’t. “I missed you too, little wolf.” “I’m not little,” I snapped automatically, but my voice wasn’t really angry. He noticed and chuckled loudly. “I know,” he said softer. “You’re just stubborn.” I should’ve rolled my eyes. I didn’t. My chest felt lighter. I had been waiting to hear from him without admitting it. He kept talking after that, about coming home and things finally settling down. He even said he had saved enough this time to buy me everything I never asked for but always pretended I didn’t want. “New shoes,” he said. “A better coat. Maybe even a real bed instead of that thing you call a mattress.” “I like my mattress,” I replied. “You like suffering,” he corrected. I didn’t argue with him, because he wasn’t wrong. For a few seconds, it felt normal, like we were just two lovey-dovey siblings. Then his voice changed slightly, as if someone had gotten close to him. “Raven ,” he said again, slower this time. “Listen, if I come back this time, I’m going to—” A gunshot sound cut through him. It was so sharp, and close. I was startled and straightened immediately. “What was that?” I asked. But there was no response. “Hello?” My voice sharpened. “Are you there?” Then another gunshot rang in my ears. I heard distant movement and heavy breathing. My fingers tightened around the phone. “Answer me.” Then his voice came back, but it wasn’t the same anymore. It was rushed and sounded broken. “Raven … I have to go.” “Go where?” He didn’t answer. “Hey,” I said, sitting up now and fully alert. “Don’t do that. Don’t hang up like that.” “Just… stay inside,” he said quickly. My heart slowed instead of speeding up. That was the problem. When everything went quiet inside me, I started thinking too much. “Tell me what’s going on,” I demanded. “I love you…little wolf.” “That’s strange coming from you.” I replied. “Hello?” No response from him. Then a loud scream from someone who wasn’t close to him. My body went still before my brain caught up. Then the line disconnected, and I stared at the phone. I called back. No answer. Again. Nothing. The room went still. “Pick up,” I said under my breath. It kept ringing until the phone went off. I sat there still, phone still in my hand, with a low battery. I wasn’t crying because if I did, it meant I understood what had just happened. My wolf shifted inside me, unusually quiet at first. Then she spoke. “…Raven .” And there was silence.