The sun hung lazily over the horizon, painting the sky in soft hues of orange and pink. St. Helios Academy, a sprawling campus of sleek buildings and lush courtyards, buzzed with life. Students weaved through the halls and open spaces, their voices overlapping in an endless stream of chatter and laughter. Today was not just any school day—tonight marked the beginning of the highly anticipated Annual School Event, a celebration that brought together students, teachers, and families for an evening of festivities, performances, and games.
Ren leaned back in his chair, balancing it on two legs as he idly sipped his soda. Around him, his friends—Lucian, Aria, Noa, and Elio—were engaged in a lively discussion, their plates filled with half-eaten sandwiches and drinks left forgotten amidst the conversation.
"Can you believe this is our last school event before we graduate?" Ren mused, exhaling dramatically. "Feels like just yesterday we were sneaking out of class."
Aria rolled her eyes. "You were sneaking out of class," she corrected. "The rest of us were actually trying to graduate."
Lucian smirked over his coffee. "Hey, some of us managed to do both." His dark eyes glimmered with mischief as he shot a glance at Ren.
Noa adjusted their glasses, a small, amused smile playing on their lips. "They're saying this year's event is going to be the best one yet. A new mystery attraction, too."
Elio, who had been silent up until now, lifted his head slightly. "Mystery attraction?"
Noa nodded. "Yeah. The faculty's being real secretive about it. It's probably just another haunted house gimmick."
Aria huffed, twirling a lock of her hair. "They always try too hard to scare us. Last year's 'horror tunnel' had cheap jump scares and a guy in a rubber mask."
"Don't forget the fog machines," Ren added, grinning. "They overdid it so much that half the students walked straight into the walls."
Their laughter echoed through the cafeteria, blending into the vibrant atmosphere of excited conversations. None of them noticed the way the outside world seemed to dim just slightly, as if reality itself was pulling its breath in anticipation.
Outside, the campus bathed in the golden glow of dusk. Ren sat cross-legged on the grass, speaking in hushed tones to a younger student who listened with rapt attention.
"I was about fourteen when I found him, the date was… 21 March 2027 i guess." Ren murmured, his gaze flickering toward the cafeteria, where Elio sat with their friends.
The younger boy's eyes widened. "Really? How did it happen?"
Ren leaned back against the tree, exhaling as if reliving the memory. "Back then, I wasn't exactly a model student. Got into fights, skipped class... did a lot of stupid shit. But one night, during a storm, I found him in an alley—unconscious, soaking wet, barely breathing. He looked half-dead. I thought about walking away."
"But you didn't."
Ren smiled faintly. "Yeah. Took him to an old shelter, got him patched up. He didn't remember much about where he came from, but we stuck together after that. Eventually, the school arranged for him to be placed here."
"And he still doesn't know his past?"
Ren's expression darkened. "Not yet."
The wind whispered through the leaves above them, carrying the faint sounds of the festival preparations in the distance.
Across the town, families prepared for the night.
Lucian's younger brother, Elliot, tugged at his sleeve. "Can I come with you this time?"
Lucian ruffled the boy's hair. "Not this year, kiddo. Maybe next time."
Ren's grandfather sat by the window of their home, smoking his pipe, his eyes distant. "Be careful, boy. Sometimes, the happiest moments are the ones that deceive you the most."
Ren snorted. "What's that supposed to mean, old man?"
Elio, alone in his dorm, stared at the ceiling. There was no one to remind him to get ready. No one waiting for him at home. He had grown used to it, but tonight, the weight of solitude felt heavier.
The Event Begins
As the sun dipped below the horizon, St. Helios Academy transformed. Strings of lanterns and fairy lights illuminated the grounds. Booths lined the walkways, offering snacks, games, and fortune readings. A large stage stood at the center of the field, where students would later perform.
"This is insane," Aria said, spinning in place as she took in the lights. "They really went all out this year."
Noa grabbed a stick of cotton candy. "They have to, it's our last event. Gotta make it count."
Elio, Ren, and Theo hovered near the supposed 'mystery attraction'—a massive, sleek dome structure at the far end of the field. A staff member in a polished uniform stood at the entrance, checking names against a list.
Theo adjusted his glasses, frowning. "This wasn't here last year."
Elio tilted his head. "Didn't this used to be the astronomy exhibit?"All the parents and other students who came as viewers were sitting on the chairs and were there to watch the whole event unfold.
Before they could question further, the speakers crackled to life.
"Attention, students and guests! We are about to begin the highlight of the night! Participants for this year's special event, please proceed to the designated area. The selection has already been made."
Students exchanged puzzled glances as a large digital screen near the stage lit up, displaying a list of names.
Ren Nakamura.
Lucian Carter.
Aria Vaughn.
Noa Williams.
Elio Ren.
And the names of the other 45 participants...
Ren groaned. "Of course."
Lucian ran a hand through his hair, his usual smirk slightly strained. "Lucky us, I guess."
As the five of them approached the dome with the other students who were participating, the crowd cheered. Their parents and teachers smiled encouragingly, oblivious to the cold dread curling in the pit of Elio's stomach.
The entrance doors slid open with a mechanical hiss, revealing a sleek, sterile interior bathed in artificial white light. A row of screens flickered to life inside, lines of unreadable code scrolling across them.
Something about this wasn't right.
Elio took a step inside, and the doors shut behind them with a final, echoing click.
Something was about to go terribly, terribly wrong.
End of Chapter 1-B.