LOGINAXEL. This wasn’t how the night was supposed to go. Not with Mrs. Cooper’s bloodied body being loaded into an ambulance. The moment the medical team showed up, students realized something had gone wrong. And once the news spread, the entire night’s events came to a stop. Now there's no music playing anymore, and the students that once filled the auditorium are now scattered through the hallways, whispering in hushed tones with varying expressions of anxiety etched on their faces. It's no different in our little group. “I heard the medic say she’ll be fine,” Corey mutters nervously. “That’s a positive, right?” The words sound less like a question and more like an attempt to sound hopeful. Lucas shares a nervous look with Roxanne, who has her arm linked through his. He gives a helpless shrug. “I guess so.” I exhale, pressing a finger to my forehead, then turn toward the person who looks the most shaken: Hayley. She’s barely said a word since she saw Mrs. Cooper's body. The silen
NARRATIVE POV. As Sheriff McKenna’s car ground to a halt at the gates of Greystone High, he spotted two other vehicles parked by the curb, both bearing the insignia of the local police precinct. His team had arrived. He cut the engine, grabbed his shotgun, and stepped out into the cold night air. Deputy Morales stood a few steps away with a toothpick hanging from his lips—no doubt a remnant of the meal he’d been having when the call came in. He wore a grim expression as the Sheriff approached. McKenna strode past him, and the man quickly fell in step behind. “Don’t tell me it’s another murder, Jamie.” “I’m not sure pal,” McKenna replied. “But it sure as hell sounded serious.” The rest of their six-man team joined them as they passed through the gates, their eyes roaming over the festively decorated school grounds as they made their way toward the main building. “The school was hosting its annual Winter Formal tonight,” Detective Hannah read out from the file in her hand as sh
NARRATIVE POV. “Don’t tell me you’re still undecided on what to name her,” Maria said, raising an eyebrow at her husband with a teasing smile. Sheriff McKenna chuckled, lifting the bottle of wine in hand, and pouring until his glass was half full. He set the bottle down and walked over to where his wife stood at the kitchen counter. “Don’t tell me you’ve already decided it’s a her,” he replied, grinning as he brushed a strand of her hair aside with his free hand. “Oh, it’s definitely a her,” she muttered, her tone softening as her hand rested on the gentle curve of her belly. She looked up at her husband, their smiles meeting, before she pulled him in for a slow, tender kiss. “Feel her,” she whispered when they parted. McKenna set the wineglass aside and placed both hands on his wife's belly. His fingers moved slowly over the bulge, tracing every stretch of vein, every faint outline of muscle. Somewhere beneath all of it was their child—the miracle they had waited five long yea
HAYLEY. In the faint glow of the surrounding lights, I watch Axel’s face go pale as his eyes lock on the figure behind us—Mr. Miller. He’s standing at the far end of the grounds, casually conversing with Principal Hawthorne. When Axel turns back to me, his grip on my hands tightens. “Give me a moment. I’ve gotta tip Shane off.” I nod silently and watch him step aside, pulling out his cell as he makes the call in a low voice. My gaze settles on Mr. Miller again, and a knot of unease coils in my stomach. He can’t be here. He shouldn’t be here. If what we suspect about him is true, then his presence here—on the night of a full moon—could spell danger. A sudden announcement blares through the speakers lining the outer walls: “All students and attendees, kindly make your way into the building for the ball.” Axel returns, slipping his phone into his pocket. “The boys are on their way.” He cups my elbows gently, his touch grounding. “I won’t let anything happen tonight. Promise.” I
HAYLEY. I watch Axel gulp as my dad’s intense gaze rakes over him. “Axel Grey?” he says after a moment. “It’s you, isn’t it?” Axel clears his throat, still visibly rattled by his sudden appearance. “Yes, sir. It’s me.” “Well, well—quite the man you’ve become, haven’t you?” Dad says with a grin, extending a hand toward him. “Thank you, Mr. Anderson,” Axel replies, offering a faint smile as he takes my father’s hand. “I was going to see you after the game last week,” he blurts, almost like he can’t stop himself. “But I, uh… got carried away. With stuff, sir.” “Ah, it’s alright, boy,” Dad beams. Then he turns to me. “Hayley’s told me all about how brilliant you were in tryouts for the school's team.” My cheeks flush a deep red and I frown at him, mouthing a silent warning. But he just grins at me and steps back a few paces. “Well, I’ve got the car engine running, so I’d suggest you both head down in five if I’m dropping you at school.” He turns toward the door, one
HAYLEY. “You’re so getting laid tonight. You know that, right?” My expression in the mirror is one of stunned amusement at Corey's teasing. I try to come up with a response to her, but all that escapes me is a muffled chuckle. I can practically see her smug grin through the phone. “I mean, come on—we both know you need it at this point,” she adds. “Just saying.” I fight to keep my face straight as I continue dabbing my makeup, pretending to be annoyed. “That is so disgusting, Corey.” “It won’t be after a few drinks tonight. Trust me.” I can't help the laughter that slips from my lips, and I hear her giggle on the other end. It’s the night of the Winter Formal, and Corey’s excitement at us both going has been nothing short of infectious. I set my make-up brush down and pick up the cherry-colored lipstick beside it. “So, you’re really going in with no date?” I ask Corey for the umpteenth time. “Ugh,” she groans. “I mean, we’re not at the event yet, right?” she mu







