The next move

The room was eerily quiet. The tension in the air hung heavy, thick enough to feel in your chest. No one spoke, too afraid to utter a single word, all eyes trained on the spot where Kade had just slammed Carter in front of the entire class. Maren’s heart raced in her chest, the weight of the situation pressing down on her like a brick.

She couldn’t process what had just happened. No one had ever stood up for her like that—not like Kade had. No one had ever cared enough to do something about Carter's torment. And the way Kade had looked at her just before walking out—like she mattered.

Then, Kade stood up. His voice broke the silence, as if the weight of his words could shatter the stillness around them.

“It was me,” Kade said, his tone firm and unapologetic. “I punched Carter for being a dumb ass, as usual. He deserved it, and I’m happy to be punished for it if that’s the way it’s going to be. I’m not mad I did it, I’m not guilty for doing it, or feel I was wrong to do so.”

He paused, looking around the classroom, his gaze scanning the room. “You don’t know the way he treats anyone, especially Maren, when you’re not around. So, if you’re going to punish me, then do it. I did what anyone would do if they were in my shoes, having to watch Maren be mistreated every day. It hurts me. And now, I felt he needed to be taught a lesson. To see how it feels to be mistreated.”

The class was dead silent, eyes flicking between Kade and Carter, who was still sitting in the back, scowling, his arms crossed tightly over his chest.

“Trust me, I would’ve punched him harder, if I could,” Kade added, his voice growing softer, almost as if he was speaking only to Maren now. He stared directly at her. “But I’m not that experienced,” he said, the last part almost a whisper.

Maren’s breath caught in her throat. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Kade had stood up for her. Not just in a small way, but in a big way. And the sincerity in his eyes—it was so unexpected. It made her question everything she thought she knew about him.

The teacher, clearly struggling with the situation, sighed and spoke up after a long pause. “Well, I won’t be the one to punish you, Kade. You’ll just have to go to the principal’s office. You do realize that violence is strictly prohibited here, so you’ve violated the rules. The principal will decide what will be done.”

Kade nodded, the tension in his jaw visible. He wasn’t backing down. “As for Carter,” the teacher continued, “he will be next. I didn’t know this was happening. One of you should have told me. I would’ve put an end to it right away. But after Kade, Carter, you’re next. Don’t think you’re getting off the hook. Alright, Kade, go to the principal’s office and explain what happened.”

Kade didn’t say another word. He turned, his eyes flicking back to Maren for a brief moment. Then, he walked out of the classroom without a single glance back, leaving behind a stunned silence.

Maren was left standing there, her thoughts a chaotic whirlwind. Kade... he actually cared about me. He knew what Carter was doing. She could feel the pieces starting to fall into place. All this time, she had believed Kade was indifferent, maybe even hostile toward her, but now she saw it differently. She had misunderstood him. And as her gaze drifted back to Carter, sitting in the back with his arms still crossed and his angry eyes fixed on her, she realized something else: Who was sending those notes?

It clearly wasn’t Kade. She couldn’t believe it had been him. Carter would never admit to anything. But I’ll catch him, she thought fiercely. I’ll figure it out.

“Alright, back to class, everyone,” the teacher said, breaking through Maren’s thoughts. His tone was clipped, and it was clear he was eager to move on.

Maren slowly sank back into her seat, trying to ignore the anger radiating from Carter in the back. His glare was like a knife in her side, his eyes fixed on her as if he could burn her alive with his stare. But Maren wasn’t going to let him have that power anymore.

Kade had made her see that. 

Kade didn’t come back.

The absence gnawed at Maren all afternoon. His seat stayed empty, his voice never returned to the classroom, and with every ticking second of silence, her anxiety deepened. When the final bell rang and students rushed from their seats like birds set free, she moved slower than the rest, her thoughts weighed down.

Her locker door creaked open, the metal colder than usual beneath her fingers. She reached in to grab her books—but something unfamiliar fluttered out. A folded slip of paper, stark white against the worn darkness of the locker.

Another note.

She didn’t even need to open it to know.

Don’t think it’s over so soon. We’re just getting started.

Her pulse quickened. A second note fell into her palm, tucked just behind the first.

Maybe it’s Carter. Maybe it’s not. You’ll never know, no matter how much you try. Which—I love to see you try—and never find out. This is a fun game.

Maren froze, her breath catching in her throat.

She stared at the words, her thoughts churning. The handwriting was sharp, slanted, playful in a sick sort of way. Carter? It had to be him—he was the obvious answer. He had every reason to mess with her. He enjoyed getting under her skin, and after today—after Kade punched him—this would be the perfect way to get back at her. To twist the knife just a little deeper.

But something about the note didn’t sit right.

Carter wouldn’t talk like this.

She turned the words over in her mind again. The phrasing. The way the note seemed to tease her with uncertainty. It was clever—too clever. Carter liked control, liked being cruel—but he wasn’t subtle. He wasn’t the kind to hide behind mystery or riddles. He was blunt. Obvious.

And this? This was calculated.

Whoever it was—they wanted her to wonder. To question everyone around her. It wasn’t just about fear anymore. It was about confusion. Control through curiosity. That twisted thrill of watching someone spiral.

She stood there, frozen in place, while the hallway emptied around her. Alone.

It couldn’t be Kade, she thought. Not after what he did for me. Not after what he said. He had looked at her like she mattered. Like he had been holding that truth in for so long it hurt. He had taken the risk, the punishment—for her.

No. Not Kade. He was the only person she felt she could trust.

But then... who?

The note trembled slightly in her hand as she clutched it tighter. She hated this—this game. Whoever it was, they were enjoying it. They wanted her to chase shadows, question everything and everyone, to keep her from ever feeling safe.

Why would anyone enjoy this? she wondered bitterly. What kind of person gets pleasure from hurting someone this way?

Maren stuffed the notes into her backpack and slammed her locker shut. The hallway echoed with the sound.

She didn’t know who the enemy was yet.

But one thing was becoming clear: they were always one step ahead.