The Red Fox of Westbridge

Something felt off

The students began to stand.

Chairs scraped lightly against the floor.

Voices slowly filled the room again.

But Marin remained seated for a moment longer.

Still watching.

Still thinking.

Because somewhere deep inside her mind—

she knew something they didn’t.

And this meeting…

was never just a coincidence.

——

(Flashbacks )

A distant memory surfaced quietly in Marin’s mind.

She was only six years old.

Standing beside a long, empty road, she stared at a grand house towering behind tall iron gates. Its windows shimmered under the afternoon sun, and the neatly trimmed gardens looked almost unreal to her young eyes.

Marin slowly tilted her head, studying the mansion from top to bottom.

It felt enormous.

Beautiful.

Unreachable.

She wondered what it was like to live inside a place like that.

Before she could step closer, a firm hand gently held her shoulder.

“Let’s go,” her father said. “We’re going to be late.”

Marin nodded but glanced back one more time.

That was when she saw him.

A young boy about her age playing alone inside the gates, running across the wide garden with carefree laughter. He looked safe. Comfortable. Like he belonged there.

Curious, Marin lifted her small hand and gave a shy wave.

The boy noticed.

He smiled brightly and waved back.

For a brief second, the world felt strangely still — two children separated by iron bars, sharing a quiet, innocent greeting.

But the moment passed quickly.

Her father gently pulled her along, guiding her away from the mansion and down the road they were meant to take.

Marin kept looking back until the house disappeared from sight.

The memory faded.

Back in the present, Marin released a soft breath.

A faint sigh escaped her lips.

But her expression did not change.

Her face remained calm… unreadable… as if the past no longer had the power to move her.

——

That afternoon sun wants to cast long shadows across the school’s basketball court.

Sneakers squeaked loudly against the polished concrete floor as four boys moved swiftly across the court.

Julian dribbled the ball with confident control, his movements smooth and calculated. He spun past Caleb with a quick fake, then passed the ball to Marcus.

Marcus caught it effortlessly.

Without hesitation, he jumped and made a clean mid-range shot.

Swish.

“Nice one!” Caleb shouted, clapping once before running back on defense.

Adrian wiped the sweat dripping from his chin as he sprinted across the court. His athletic training showed in every movement—quick footwork, sharp turns, controlled breathing. When Julian lobbed the ball high toward the rim, Adrian leaped into the air and caught it.

THUD.

He landed hard, then shot the ball cleanly into the hoop.

“Let’s go!” Julian yelled.

The game continued with fast breaks, messy rebounds, and constant trash talk echoing across the court. The rhythmic bouncing of the ball mixed with their laughter and heavy breathing.

They played until their legs felt heavy and their shirts were completely drenched in sweat.

Finally, Caleb raised his hands.

“Time out! I’m dying!”

The four of them collapsed onto the benches at the side of the court, grabbing their tumblers and drinking water greedily.

Their chests rose and fell heavily as they tried to catch their breath.

Adrian leaned forward, elbows on his knees, staring quietly at the ground.

But his mind wasn’t there.

It drifted back to the classroom earlier—

To Marin’s soft voice.

“Hi, Aid.”

His grip on the water bottle tightened slightly.

“Yo, Aid.”

Julian nudged him with his foot.

“You didn’t tell us that chick knows you.”

Adrian looked up, confused.

“I don’t know why she knows my name,” he replied honestly. “I never told her.”

Caleb wiped his face with a towel.

“Don’t be too cocky,” he said casually. “You’re one of the school athletes. Maybe she saw your picture posted in the hallway achievement boards.”

He shrugged.

“And you know… she’s an assistant in the library, right? So she probably heard about you.”

The three boys froze.

Their heads turned toward Caleb.

“Wait—WHAT?” Julian blurted.

“She works at the library?!” Adrian added.

Marcus narrowed his eyes.

“…How did you know that?”

Julian leaned closer, suspicious.

“Ohhh, Cal,” he said slowly. “You’re being secretive now? Mind explaining that to us?”

Adrian silently stared at Caleb, waiting.

Caleb suddenly scratched the back of his head.

“Ahhh… it’s nothing,” he said awkwardly. “I just happened to see her at the library last time…”

The three boys exchanged confused looks.

Something felt off.

Julian suddenly stood up, energized.

“Alright then,” he said decisively. “Let’s go check the library after we change.”

Adrian blinked.

“Why are we going there?”

Julian grinned.

“To see if Caleb’s telling the truth. Right, Caleb?”

Caleb forced a laugh.

“Y-yeah… yeah, sure…”

Marcus grabbed his bag and stood.

“Well, I’m not a fan of chasing that chick,” he muttered. “I’m going home.”

He began walking away.

“Marcus, wait!” Adrian called.

Before Adrian could follow him, Julian grabbed Adrian’s arm firmly.

“Come on, Aid. You’re coming with us.”

“W-wait—whoa!” Adrian stumbled slightly as Julian pulled him forward.

Caleb quickly followed behind them.

The court slowly emptied as the three boys headed toward the lockers—

—

After walking away from his friends, Marcus headed toward the school gates. His expression was distant, jaw tight, hands shoved deep into his pockets.

Outside, a sleek black car was already waiting.

His butler stood beside it and gave a respectful nod as Marcus approached. Without saying a word, Marcus slid into the back seat.

The door shut softly.

The car began to move, but the silence inside felt heavy. Marcus leaned his head against the window, eyes half-lidded, clearly not in the mood for conversation.

Streetlights and passing buildings blurred outside.

Then something caught his attention.

A small roadside store appeared at the corner of the street — old signboard, warm lights glowing through the windows, a quiet contrast to the polished world he was used to.

“Stop the car,” Marcus said flatly.

The driver immediately slowed down and pulled over.

Marcus stared at the little store for a moment, his expression unreadable, as if something about it stirred a feeling he couldn’t quite explain.

Before anyone could ask questions, he opened the door and stepped out.