The night had fallen heavy over St. Ivy High, shrouding its towering buildings in a suffocating darkness. The storm from earlier had left puddles scattered across the grounds, and the moon was veiled by thick, unyielding clouds. The air reeked of damp grass and something else—something metallic, like the scent of blood lingering in the shadows.
Eira trudged down the empty hallway of the east wing, her heartbeat thundering against her ribcage. The message she'd received an hour ago still echoed in her mind.
Meet me at the old gym before midnight. Come alone. Don't tell anyone. Or she dies.
The words had sent a jolt of dread through her, but she didn't hesitate. If there was even the slightest chance of saving Selena, she'd do it. No matter the danger. No matter who she had to face.
She gripped the handle of her father's old switchblade hidden in her jacket pocket. It wasn't much, but it made her feel less helpless.
Her phone buzzed in her back pocket. Pulling it out, she saw another anonymous message flash across the screen.
You're late. One more step and she bleeds.
Eira's stomach dropped. A sick sense of urgency shot through her veins as she quickened her pace, her footsteps silent against the water-slicked floor. The old gym was at the farthest end of campus — an abandoned building they'd closed off years ago after a roof collapse. It was the perfect place for a trap.
She pushed through the decaying double doors and was immediately hit with the scent of mildew and dust. The darkness inside was thick, but faint moonlight leaked in through the shattered windows.
"Selena?" Eira called, her voice sharp and shaky.
No answer.
She took a cautious step forward, scanning the shadows. The room was empty — or so it seemed.
Then a figure moved.
A girl stepped out from behind one of the old bleachers, her face pale and streaked with dried blood. It was Selena.
Her wrists were bound in front of her with rough, frayed rope, and her lower lip was split open.
"Eira—" she croaked, her voice hoarse.
"Selena!" Eira rushed forward, but a voice cut through the room, stopping her dead in her tracks.
"Not another step, Carter."
From the darkness, another figure emerged. A tall, lean silhouette Eira recognized immediately.
Jaxon.
Her breath hitched. The traitorous ache in her chest flared.
"You?" Eira's voice was barely a whisper. "You did this?"
Jaxon's expression was unreadable in the low light, but his voice was cold. "Took you long enough to figure it out."
Eira clenched her fists. "Why?"
Jaxon chuckled bitterly. "Because you took everything from me. From the moment you showed up, it's been the Eira Carter show. Everyone fell in line behind you, even those who promised me loyalty. Selena, Kade, even my own brother. And you? You acted like you were innocent. Like you were better than us."
"I never—"
"Save it," he snapped. "You humiliated me, Carter. And now you're going to pay for it."
Eira's grip on the switchblade tightened. "Let her go."
"Or what? You'll stab me?" Jaxon's lips curled into a sneer. "You don't have it in you."
He stepped closer to Selena and pressed a blade of his own against her throat, the thin edge glinting in the dim light. Selena whimpered but held Jaxon's gaze, defiant despite her fear.
"You won't get away with this," Eira said, her voice shaking but firm.
Jaxon laughed. "I already have. And when they find your body here next to hers, it'll look like another one of your jealous breakdowns. Tragic, really."
Eira's mind raced. She needed a way out — a distraction, anything.
Then a sound behind her made them both turn.
Footsteps.
Heavy. Fast.
A new figure appeared in the doorway. It was Baron.
Eira's heart jumped.
"I told you to come alone!" Jaxon shouted.
But Baron didn't stop. In one fluid motion, he tackled Jaxon to the floor. The two boys grappled, the blades clattering against the ground.
"Eira, get Selena out of here!" Baron yelled between gritted teeth.
Without wasting a second, Eira ran to Selena and started working on the ropes. They were rough and tight, biting into Selena's skin.
"I've got you," she whispered.
"Eira—" Selena's eyes widened in horror as she looked past her.
Eira turned just in time to see Jaxon break free and grab his knife. He lunged for Baron, slicing a gash across his shoulder.
Baron grunted in pain but retaliated with a fierce punch that sent Jaxon stumbling back.
"Go!" Baron shouted.
But Eira hesitated. She couldn't leave him.
"Now!" he barked.
Tears blurred Eira's vision as she finished untying Selena's hands. They both bolted for the door, Selena leaning heavily on Eira for support.
Baron held Jaxon off, giving them just enough time to slip into the hallway.
"Selena, can you run?" Eira asked.
"I'll try."
But they didn't get far.
A voice crackled over the school's old PA system — a voice that made Eira's blood turn ice cold.
"Attention, students. This is Principal Morgan. All doors are now locked. No one leaves the premises tonight."
It wasn't possible. Principal Morgan was dead.
Eira had seen his body weeks ago. She and Selena buried him in the woods behind campus.
And yet… his voice was unmistakable.
The hallway lights flickered violently.
Eira clutched Selena's hand.
"What the hell is going on?" Selena whispered.
Before Eira could answer, a shadow moved at the end of the corridor. A tall, gaunt figure stepped into view. Pale, bloodless skin. Empty black eyes.
It was Morgan.
But it wasn't him.
He was…wrong.
Dead men didn't walk.
And as he raised a skeletal finger and pointed straight at them, his v
oice rasped through the speakers again.
"You've all been very bad."
Selena screamed.
Eira froze.
And then the world went black.