The Academy That Eats Tomorrow

A Normal Day

For the first time since Theo disappeared, the Academy felt normal.

Almost.

Mira walked through the main courtyard with Sophie and Rhea, watching students rush toward their morning classes.

Nobody looked frightened.

Nobody was searching for anyone.

Nobody knew a student was missing.

It was strange how easily the world could continue without someone.

Rhea yawned.

"I hate mornings."

Sophie laughed.

"You say that every morning."

"Because every morning keeps happening."

Mira smiled.

For a few minutes, they were simply students again.

No secret rooms.

No erased memories.

No strange photographs.

No Ava.

Just school.

Then Rhea stopped.

"Wait."

Mira turned.

"What?"

Rhea pointed across the courtyard.

"Isn't that your class?"

Mira followed her gaze.

A group of students were gathered outside one of the classrooms.

Her next class.

"Yes."

"Then why are you standing here?"

Mira checked the time.

"Oh."

Sophie laughed.

"We're going to be late."

They hurried inside.

The classroom was already half full.

Mira took a seat near the window.

Sophie sat beside her.

Rhea dropped into the seat behind them.

A few minutes later, Eli entered.

He looked tired.

Mira noticed immediately.

"You okay?"

"Fine."

"You look terrible."

"Thank you."

She smiled.

"You're welcome."

Eli sat down.

Then Noah walked in.

Their eyes met.

Neither spoke.

Noah took a seat several rows away.

Rhea leaned toward Mira.

"Those two are exhausting."

Mira whispered back.

"You've known them for two days."

"Exactly."

The teacher entered before they could say anything else.

For the next hour, everything was normal.

A lesson.

Notes.

Questions.

Homework.

Mira almost forgot about the Academy's secrets.

Almost.

Then her pen stopped working.

She shook it.

Nothing.

She tried again.

Still nothing.

She looked down.

The ink wasn't black anymore.

It was silver.

Mira frowned.

A single sentence appeared on the page.

She hadn't written it.

DON'T TRUST THE TEACHER.

Her breath caught.

She immediately closed the notebook.

Sophie noticed.

"What?"

"Nothing."

Mira looked toward the teacher.

He was writing on the board.

Normal.

Calm.

Completely unaware.

Or pretending to be.

At lunch, the five met again.

This time, Noah arrived first.

Rhea dropped her tray beside him.

"Look at that."

Noah looked up.

"What?"

"You came early."

"I like quiet."

"You chose the wrong table."

She sat down.

Sophie and Mira followed.

Eli arrived last.

He hesitated when he saw Noah.

Then sat down anyway.

Mira smiled.

Progress.

They ate for several minutes.

Then Sophie asked:

"Can we talk about something normal?"

Rhea nodded enthusiastically.

"Yes."

She pointed at Eli.

"What's your favorite food?"

Eli looked confused.

"Why?"

"Because we're apparently trying to act normal."

Eli thought.

"Jollof rice."

Rhea nodded.

"Acceptable."

Sophie laughed.

"What about you?"

"Fried rice."

Mira smiled.

"Mine is pasta."

Everyone looked at Noah.

He sighed.

"Why am I being interrogated?"

"Your turn," Rhea said.

Noah looked at his plate.

"Anything spicy."

Rhea smiled.

"See? You're becoming one of us."

"No."

"Yes."

"No."

"Yes."

Mira laughed.

Eli shook his head.

For a moment, it felt easy.

Then someone walked past their table.

A girl.

Dark hair.

Pale skin.

A small scar above her eyebrow.

Mira stopped breathing.

The girl kept walking.

Nobody else reacted.

Mira stood.

"Wait."

The girl turned.

Their eyes met.

Mira knew immediately.

Ava.

But before Mira could move, the girl smiled.

Not the frightening smile from the underground room.

This one was different.

Almost sad.

Then she disappeared into the crowd.

Mira ran after her.

"Mira!" Sophie shouted.

She pushed through the students.

Nothing.

Ava was gone.

Mira stopped.

Her heart raced.

Then she noticed something on the floor.

A folded piece of paper.

She picked it up.

Her name was written on the front.

MIRA.

She opened it.

Only one sentence.

You have seven days before the Academy remembers you.

Mira stared at the words.

Behind her, Noah appeared.

"What happened?"

She handed him the note.

His expression changed immediately.

"Where did you get this?"

"She was here."

"Who?"

"Ava."

Noah looked around the cafeteria.

"Did anyone else see her?"

Mira shook her head.

"No."

Noah folded the note.

"We need to leave."

"Why?"

He looked at her.

"Because if she's warning you..."

He glanced toward the Academy's clock.

"...something is already happening."

The clock suddenly stopped.

12:17 PM.

Every clock in the cafeteria stopped with it.

And for one terrifying second—

every student in the room turned toward Mira.

Then they all looked away.

As if nothing had happened.

Noah whispered:

"It's started."