The Academy’s Secret

Chapter three

The sun had dipped lower by the time Annie left the administrative wing. Golden light spilled across the courtyard, making long shadows stretch between the buildings. Students and applicants moved in every direction; some relieved, others disappointed, many confused. But Annie felt something different.

A sense of being watched.

At first, it was subtle, just a prickling awareness across her shoulders. She told herself she was imagining things, still shaken from the unsettling conversation in Office 3B. Yet as she walked past the fountain toward the small garden near the science building, the feeling sharpened.

Someone was following her.

She heard footsteps soft, steady, close. Annie turned suddenly.

No one. Only two boys arguing over forms and a group of girls taking pictures near the statues.

Calm down, she whispered to herself. You are just stressed.

She sat on a bench in the quiet garden. Trees rustled above, and birds pecked at seeds along the stone path. She opened her notebook and wrote

Day 2 — Something is wrong.

The words looked too true.

She thought of the side door, the ignored applicants, the crying girl, the vague answers, and the strange commitments hinted at in 3B. She did not want to believe any dark explanation, but the pieces fit too neatly together.

A voice interrupted her.

You should not be here alone.

Annie looked up sharply. A boy stood near the bench a little older, with tired eyes and untidy hair. He looked cautious, not threatening.

Sorry, Annie said automatically. Do I know you?

No, he said. But I know what you are going through.

Annie tensed. What do you mean?

He glanced around before speaking. You are new. And you are already on the wrong list.

The wrong list? She repeated.

The list of students who won’t cooperate with them.

A cold flutter touched Annie’s chest. Who is ‘them’?

The admissions board or the people who influence it, he said. The ones who actually make the decisions.

I do not understand.

He sat on the far end of the bench, keeping space between them. I am Rafi. I applied last year.

Last year? Then how do you know what happened to me?

I saw you come out of Office 3B. His expression darkened. I remember that room.

You were called there too? Annie asked.

He nodded. Yes. And once they did, my chances were done. They only call certain students the ones without money or connections. Easy targets.

Targets. Annie felt anger tighten inside her. Targets for what?

Corruption, Rafi said quietly.

The word settled heavily.

There is a system here, he continued. If you cannot pay or pull strings, they pressure you. Sometimes politely, sometimes through delays. If you do not give them what they want, your file gets buried. ‘Pending.’ Lost.

Annie’s fingers tightened around her notebook. The man in 3B talked about commitments, but he did not explain.

He will not, Raft said. They never speak plainly.

Annie took a breath. Why are you warning me?

Because no one warned me, he said. I resisted. And the next day, my name disappeared. Rejected without explanation.

I am sorry, Annie whispered.

He shrugged sadly. I accepted it eventually. But seeing you walk out of that room reminded me of myself.

I am not alone now, Annie said softly.

Maybe not, Rafi replied.

For a quiet moment, they listened to the wind.

Is there any way to fight it? Annie finally asked.

Rafi gave a small, humorless laugh. You cannot destroy something that is been protected for years. But you can try to survive.

How?

Stay unnoticed. Don’t ask too many questions. Don’t confront anyone. Once they see you as trouble, you are out.

That is not fair, Annie said.

Nothing here is fair.

Annie pressed her palms together. My whole family is waiting for me. I studied so hard. I cannot just give up.

Rafi studied her carefully. Then you need the truth.

I want it.

If you are strong, and careful, you could expose them.

Annie’s breath caught. Expose them? How?

Evidence, Rafi said. Files. Records. Anything that proves what they do. But it is dangerous.

Have you tried?

No. I realized too late.

Annie stared at the garden path. I am not giving up.

I know. That is why you have to be careful. Don’t trust anyone too quickly. Even friendly staff.

Rafi stood and lifted his backpack. I need to go. But remember, Office 3B is where the real game starts.

He stepped back, then added, Be alert. The Academy shines outside, but inside… some rooms stay dark.

He left.

Annie remained on the bench, frozen. Fear lingered, but resolve pushed stronger.

If corruption hid in the Academy’s shadows, she would uncover it.

She opened her notebook again and wrote one bold line: I will fight.

The Academy was not just a school.

It was a battlefield.

And she was not leaving without the truth today.