Episode 17: Lost Under the Stars
902 Words
Kael unfolded the clue again.
“Where the university’s oldest promise was carved into stone, the first key awaits.”
Amara frowned.
“I have absolutely no idea where that is.”
Kael smiled.
“I do.”
“You’ve done this before?”
“Every year.”
“Then this isn’t fair.”
“It isn’t.”
She folded her arms dramatically.
“I demand a handicap.”
He laughed.
“I’ll give you one hint.”
“I’m listening.”
“The promise isn’t inside a building.”
⸻
Outside, the campus looked magical.
Hundreds of fairy lights illuminated winding paths and ancient oak trees.
Students scattered across the grounds, eagerly searching for clues.
Lily and her escort sprinted toward the library.
Daniel disappeared with his partner toward the sports field.
Amara glanced around.
“Everyone looks very competitive.”
“They are.”
“And you?”
“I’ve never cared about winning.”
She raised an eyebrow.
“So why are you smiling?”
“Because I get to spend the next hour with you.”
The words came out so naturally that Kael didn’t realize what he’d said until it was too late.
Amara blinked.
His ears turned slightly pink.
“I meant…”
“…the treasure hunt.”
She smiled.
“I know what you meant.”
Neither of them mentioned it again.
But both of them were smiling.
⸻
After a short walk, they arrived at the oldest part of campus.
A weathered stone arch stood in the middle of a quiet courtyard.
Carved into its base were the university’s founding words.
Knowledge. Loyalty. Courage.
Kael pointed.
“This is the oldest promise.”
Amara ran her fingers over the engraved letters.
“So where’s the key?”
“Look closer.”
She crouched, examining the stone.
“There!”
A tiny brass key was tucked into a narrow crack beneath the arch.
She carefully pulled it free.
“I found it!”
Her face lit up with excitement.
Kael found himself staring at her instead of the key.
“You did.”
She caught him looking.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“You were smiling.”
“I was.”
“Why?”
He hesitated.
“You look happy.”
“I am happy.”
She held up the key triumphantly.
“We’re winning!”
He chuckled.
“I thought you didn’t care.”
“I changed my mind.”
⸻
Inside the envelope attached to the key was the next clue.
“Find the place where wishes float before dawn.”
Amara tilted her head.
“Wishes?”
Kael thought for a moment.
“The Reflection Pond.”
“People throw coins there.”
She grinned.
“Lead the way.”
⸻
They reached the pond just as the moon reflected perfectly across the water.
Tiny floating lanterns drifted along the surface.
“It’s beautiful,” Amara whispered.
“I’ve never been here at night.”
Most students were searching around the benches.
Amara wandered toward the water’s edge.
A small wooden box floated beneath one of the lanterns.
“I think I see it.”
She leaned forward.
Just a little farther…
The stone beneath her heel shifted.
“Oh!”
She lost her balance.
Before she could fall into the pond, a strong arm caught her around the waist.
Her hands instinctively grabbed Kael’s jacket.
For a heartbeat…
They stood frozen.
Far too close.
Amara could feel his warm breath against her forehead.
Kael’s heart hammered in his chest.
His wolf stirred, urging him to pull her even closer.
Instead, he slowly helped her regain her footing.
“You okay?”
She nodded, though her voice came out barely above a whisper.
“I think so.”
“You almost went swimming.”
She laughed nervously.
“That would’ve been embarrassing.”
“I wouldn’t have let you fall.”
The certainty in his voice made her chest tighten.
Somehow…
She believed him completely.
⸻
A camera shutter clicked.
Neither of them heard it.
Hidden behind a hedge, the mysterious photographer zoomed in on the moment Kael was holding Amara.
“Perfect,” the stranger murmured.
“This one will cause trouble.”
⸻
Amara reached into the pond with the long wooden hook beside the bank and pulled the floating box closer.
Inside was another envelope.
She opened it eagerly.
Then groaned.
“Oh no.”
Kael leaned over to read it.
Final Clue: Find the room where no student has ever entered… yet every student passes every day.
Amara looked completely confused.
“That’s impossible.”
Kael stared at the clue.
For the first time that evening…
He didn’t know the answer.
“I’ve never seen this clue before.”
“So we’re lost?”
He looked at her and smiled.
“For the first time tonight…”
“…yes.”
She laughed.
“Good.”
“Now we’re even.”
As they stood beneath the stars, trying to solve the impossible clue together, neither of them noticed Serena watching from the second-floor balcony.
She wasn’t looking at the treasure hunt.
She was looking at the way Kael smiled at Amara.
A smile he had never once given her.
Serena slowly crumpled the auction certificate in her hand.
“This isn’t over,” she whispered.
“Oh, Amara…”
“You have no idea what you’ve started.”
- Writer
