CREATURE AMONG US
661 Words
The next day, school felt… different.
Aria noticed it the moment she stepped into the hallway. Shadows that were usually just shadows seemed to stretch and twist. A faint shimmer traced along the lockers, like tiny veins of light pulsing through the walls.
“See? I told you!” Zara whispered, tugging at Aria’s sleeve. “Something’s up, and it’s not just the leftover rain from yesterday.”
Aria nodded, keeping her eyes sharp. Mina walked ahead, scanning every corner like she was hunting something. Leo trailed slightly behind, calm as ever, his eyes flicking to every flicker of movement.
“Remember,” Leo said quietly, “most students can’t see them. You might have to act normal, or things get messy fast.”
Aria clenched her fists. “I’m already not normal.”
The First Encounter
By second period, the first magical disruption happened.
A shadow creature slipped across the ceiling, tall and thin, with glowing amber eyes. It paused above Aria, watching. She froze.
The creature hissed—a whispery, almost musical sound—and darted downward. But before it could touch anyone, the black cat with silver eyes leapt in front of her, swiping with surprising speed. Sparks of blue light erupted where the cat landed.
Zara yelped. “Whoa! It attacked you!”
“It didn’t attack,” Aria said, voice tense. “It was… curious.”
Mina raised an eyebrow. “Curious? That thing could shred a student in seconds.”
Leo’s eyes narrowed. “Some creatures think differently. You’ll learn quickly: curiosity isn’t always harmless.”
The shadow retreated, blending into the cracks of the ceiling. The lights flickered, and for a moment, the cafeteria—or rather, the part of the school they were in—looked like the hidden room again. Faint golden runes glimmered on the walls, vanishing as quickly as they appeared.
Team Dynamics
After school, the four met in the hidden room again. Aria still felt her heart racing from the encounter.
“We need a plan,” Leo said. “You can’t just wander around like yesterday. These creatures are testing the veil. And if they notice you… things could get dangerous.”
Mina crossed her arms. “I don’t see why I’m helping. This is all your problem, Aria.”
“Not exactly,” Aria said, looking at her. “You saw them too. You felt it. You’re part of this whether you like it or not.”
Zara rolled her eyes. “You two are already bickering. Can we please focus on learning how not to die?”
Leo smirked faintly. “Good. Because that’s exactly what this is.”
He gestured to the floating books. “Each of these contains knowledge about creatures, the veil, and your abilities. Study them. Understand them. If you want to survive… and protect others… you’ll need more than luck.”
A Strange Visitor
As Aria reached for a floating book, the black cat leapt onto the table, eyes glowing brighter than before. Suddenly, a new figure appeared—small, glowing, with wings made of silver light.
“Who—what—” Aria whispered.
The creature hovered near her shoulder, a voice ringing inside her mind.
“You are ready. But danger comes for you soon. The wardens notice. Beware your trust.”
The warning faded, and the creature darted into a corner, vanishing.
Aria’s pulse thundered. “Wardens… again?”
Leo nodded gravely. “Yes. And they are faster than you think.”
Mina’s smirk faltered slightly. “So… this is bigger than school drama?”
Zara sighed. “Welcome to life-threatening school drama, apparently.”
Aria stared at the floating books, at the shadows crawling along the walls, at the glowing cat, and finally at her friends.
They weren’t just classmates anymore. They were a team.
And together, they had to face creatures among them—creatures that were far more dangerous than anything in the school handbook.
- Writer
