LOGINMiller leaned forward. "Go on.""Ava and I, we were talking that day. About books. She mentioned this series she loved, 'The Shadow Watchers.' It's about a secret society that observes injustices and anonymously leaks information to expose criminals." He held up the book. "She said the author, a reclusive writer, uses the pen name 'Boom.' She thought it was cool. Like, 'boom, here's the truth.'"Miller’s eyes widened. "Boom. The name that appeared on the video file."Mason nodded, his gaze intense. "Yes. And Ava, she was really into this idea of justice. Of exposing wrongdoing. She even talked about how, if she ever saw something truly awful, she'd want to be like one of them. A 'watcher.'""Do you think Ava herself… recorded this?" Miller asked, a new, horrifying possibility dawning on her."No," Mason shook his head vehemently. "The camera angle, the way it zoomed. It wasn't from her perspective. But the watcher they knew about Ava. They knew she was a fan. Maybe they were tr
The news of Ava’s disappearance spread through the school like wildfire, igniting a spectrum of reactions. Whispers followed the Principal and Detective Miller down the halls. The initial wave of concern soon fractured into cynicism among some of the student body."Honestly, is she serious?" a girl with bright pink streaks in her hair scoffed to her friend by the lockers. "Another drama from Ava? She just loves the attention.""Right?" her friend chimed in, rolling her eyes. " She probably just ran off with some new boyfriend, maybe she’s feed up of Mason already .""Or she's hiding out somewhere, waiting for everyone to make a fuss," another boy added, leaning against the wall, a smirk playing on his lips. "Isn't she tired of it yet?"Mason, overhearing the callous remarks, clenched his fists, his jaw tight. He wanted to lash out, to defend Ava, but the words caught in his throat. The injustice of it all, the casual dismissal of someone's terror, made his stomach churn. He w
Ava walked beside Mason, the setting sun painting their path in hues of fire and charcoal. The afterglow of their session still clung to her, a fragile shield against the world’s harshness. Mason’s presence, steady and warm, felt like an anchor in the shifting sands of her recent past. They talked of nothing and everything, the easy rhythm of their steps mirroring the growing comfort between them. He spoke of his favorite authors, she of her dreams of traveling. The world, for a brief time, felt right.They reached the edge of the school grounds, Mason turned to her, his hand lightly brushing her arm."I should probably head home," he said, a hint of reluctance in his voice. "Thanks for walking with me. And for the donut suggestion. They really were incredible."He grinned, the corners of his eyes crinkling. "Anytime, Ava. Seriously. If you ever need to talk, or just want another donut, you know where to find me."She watched him go, his silhouette receding into the deepening
On the day of the session, the room felt stifling, even before everyone arrived. A small, circular table, three chairs, and a kindly-faced mediator named Dr. Evans. Debby slumped in her seat, arms crossed, a defiant pout on her lipsCassy entered, her usual swagger muted, her eyes scanning the room, landing briefly on Ava with a flicker of something unreadable.Dr. Evans began, her voice soft but firm, setting the ground rules. “We are here to understand what happened, how it affected everyone, and how we can move forward constructively. This is not about blame, but about understanding and resolution.”Debby, still bristling, spoke first, recounting her version of events, emphasizing Cassy’s "unprovoked" attack. Her voice was laced with self-pity and indignation.Then it was Cassy’s turn. Her voice, usually so sharp, was surprisingly calm. “She was going to hit Ava. I saw it. I reacted. I didn’t think. I just… stopped her.” Her gaze met Ava’s, a silent apology in its depths. “I kn
Debby’s mouth dropped open, a sound of protest catching in her throat. “A week? But she hit me!”“And you provoked it,” Principal Thorne cut her off, her voice leaving no room for argument. “Your actions are not excused by Cassy’s reaction. Now, for Cassy.” She paused, her gaze fixed on Cassy. “Given the severity of a physical altercation, and your previous disciplinary record…”Cassy flinched, her defiance momentarily cracking.“…I am suspending you for three days,” Principal Thorne continued, her voice grim. “And you will write a formal letter of apology to Debby ”Cassy scoffed, a bitter laugh escaping her. I”I just got back from a suspension and now another ? And I should Apologize to her? After she tried to hit Ava?”“It’s not about who was ‘right,’ Cassy,” Principal Thorne’s voice was weary. “It’s about maintaining order and preventing violence. You broke a rule, and there are consequences.” She then turned to Ava. “Ava, while you did not physically engage, your repeated
The college hallway hummed with the usual morning noise the rhythmic scuff of sneakers, the murmur of hurried conversations, the distant clang of a locker door. Ava, still feeling the quiet reassurance of Mason’s presence from yesterday,her mind drifting to Professor Davies’s cryptic feedback. “Room for refinement,” he’d written, a polite academic euphemism for "you missed the point entirely." She clutched her worn textbook, its spine soft with use, a small anchor in the swirling chaos.A sudden, jarring impact slammed into her shoulder, sending a jolt up her arm. Her textbook slipped, clattering to the floor, its pages splaying open like a startled bird. Ava stumbled, catching herself on a nearby locker, its cold metal biting into her palm. She spun, her eyes narrowing on the figure who’d collided with her. A student, unfamiliar, stood there, a sneer twisting her lips, dark hair falling across eyes that glittered with something sharper than accidental contact.“What was that fo







