School of Secrets

Chapter 3

Clara’s first day at school was a blur of noise, lights, and strange faces. The buildings towered high, polished and modern, filled with students in uniforms she didn’t understand. Even walking down the hallways felt like navigating a maze. Every sound—laughter, chatter, slamming lockers—pounded in her chest like a drum.

She clutched the pendant under her uniform, drawing comfort from its faint warmth. She couldn’t let anyone see her panic—not here, not now.

“Hey, over here!” a familiar voice called. Clara turned to see Mike weaving through the crowd toward her. He looked oddly at ease in this chaos, adjusting his glasses as though he had walked these halls a thousand times.

“You came!” Clara whispered, relief flooding her.

Mike smirked. “Of course. Can’t let you get lost on your first day. Besides, I want to see if you survive my school without accidentally causing a disaster.”

Clara rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide her smile. “Thanks… I think.”

He led her through the hall, showing her where the classrooms, cafeteria, and library were. Even with his guidance, Clara felt overwhelmed by the technology—smart boards, scanners, digital lockers. Every little device seemed alive, buzzing with data she didn’t understand.

Their first class was science, and Clara quickly realized she wasn’t prepared for the pace. Students asked questions about things she had never heard of, experiments with materials and chemicals she had never seen. Her heart sank. She was a stranger here, not just in place but in knowledge.

Mike leaned over, whispering, “Don’t panic. Just follow my lead. I’ve got you.”

Clara nodded, grateful. For the first time since arriving in the future, she felt a glimmer of stability.

But stability was short-lived.

A loud crash echoed through the hallway. Students screamed, scattering in all directions. Clara froze as she saw a shadowy figure dart past the glass doors of the gym, moving with unnatural speed. It vanished before anyone could react.

Mike’s eyes narrowed. “Stay close,” he murmured, pulling Clara behind him.

“Who… what is that?” she asked, her voice shaking.

Mike shook his head. “I don’t know. But it’s… like the energy I felt in your house last night. That… something is tracking you.”

Clara’s chest tightened. The pendant pulsed under her uniform, its warmth now tinged with urgency. She realized that even here, surrounded by hundreds of people, the past wasn’t finished with her.

By lunchtime, Clara had begun to adjust to her new classmates. She met James, a tall, athletic boy with a calm intensity, and Bridget, a cheerful girl with a quick wit and commanding presence. James had a subtle confidence in the way he moved, and Clara caught a glimpse of something in his eyes—experience, maybe even combat training. Bridget, on the other hand, laughed easily and seemed to notice everything, giving quick instructions to students who accidentally blocked her path.

Mike introduced them, and Clara felt a strange sense of relief. Somehow, being with people who seemed competent, who could handle themselves, made the city feel a little less overwhelming.

As they ate in the cafeteria, a sudden loud alarm blared through the school. Red lights flashed, and automated messages warned: “Evacuate immediately. Danger detected.”

Clara froze, panic rising. “What now?”

Mike grabbed her hand. “We need to go. Now.”

They sprinted toward the exit, weaving through panicked students. Outside, the sky above the city shimmered unnaturally, like it had been warped by some invisible force. A figure hovered above the school, cloaked in shadows, moving faster than any human should. Clara recognized it instantly—one of the villains from her past.

Her knees went weak, and she barely caught herself before falling. The pendant burned hotter against her chest, responding to her fear.

Mike’s eyes widened as he scanned the figure. “It’s one of them,” he said grimly. “They’ve come for you… and they’re not alone.”

James stepped forward, fists clenched, ready for combat. “Let’s handle this.”

Bridget raised a hand, pointing sharply. “We need a plan. Chaos won’t help us fight them. Clara, can you…?”

Clara shook her head. She didn’t know what she could do yet, couldn’t fully control the powers that had carried her across time. But the fire inside her flared, the same one that had kept her alive in her village. She clenched her fists, feeling the faint pulse of energy beneath her skin, warning her, preparing her.

The shadowed figure struck suddenly, smashing a section of the school fence with a wave of dark energy. Students screamed and scattered. The villains were stronger here, in this world, and they weren’t holding back.

Mike and James acted immediately—Mike deploying small gadgets that fired nets of energy, James using martial skill to intercept falling debris. Bridget directed the panicked students toward safety. Clara watched, heart pounding, realizing that she couldn’t run forever. She would have to fight.

For the first time, she let the energy pulse outward, faintly, brushing the villain’s dark form. The shadow wavered, momentarily stunned, then recoiled with a hiss, almost human in its fury.

Clara’s eyes widened. She had done it—just a little, but enough.

The villain vanished in a blur, leaving destruction behind. The students were safe, but the city felt smaller, more dangerous than ever.

Clara’s friends gathered around her, breathing heavily. Mike placed a hand on her shoulder. “That was… impressive,” he said quietly. “But we’re going to need training. They’ll be back. And next time, they’ll be stronger.”

Clara swallowed hard, gripping her pendant. She knew he was right. The villains had followed her here, and the city offered no sanctuary from what was coming.

A faint movement at the edge of the street caught her eye—a shadow flickering between buildings.

“They’re watching,” she whispered.

Mike’s gaze hardened. “And they’re closer than ever.”

—END OF CHAPTER 3—

A shadow flickered between buildings. “They’re closer than ever,” Clara whispered.