Chapter 11: "Strictly Just A Dare," ───── ❝ R U B Y F R I D A Y ' S P O V ❞ ──── ║ Gregorian Calendar ║ 01 - 01 - 2027 ║ Friday ║ 1st Midnight ║ The darkness of the circus tent hung like a shroud over my head, an oppressive presence threatening to smother us like a deep-rooted fear. Shivers of dread ran down my spine as I nervously surveyed the scene for a damn second, my eyes slowly adjusting to the horror that was to come later on. Unbeknownst to many, my gazes stay rooted to the Headmistress moments after, as I thoroughly observed her as she stands guard on us, her gaze stern and unyielding as she intones her words, "Let us forgo the formalities, for I am no longer in the mood for them, my dear students. Once again, as per our tradition, you'll enter through the glass cage by your student numbers arranged in numerical order, from first to last. I know you're all giddy to play the games like me, so let's get rolling now before I got bored out and set this tent on fire, shall we?"

Chapter 13: "The Coven's Invitation," ───── ❝ R U B Y F R I D A Y ' S P O V ❞ ──── ║ Gregorian Calendar ║ 01 - 02 - 2027 ║ ║ Saturday ║ Free Day ║ The first weekend of my stay here at the academy had finally arrived, and the first night of the malevolent games of "Truth or Dare," was temporarily over. Though, it has ended, I know, it was far from indeed over. Actually, according to Ms. Rose, we were just getting started. As Saturday dawned, the academy returned to its typical routine, but the feeling of mystery in the air lingered like a dark and sinister fog. Still, the challenge of last night's had been swirling around my hazy consciousness, as for the first time ever, I had seen the teens around me and oddly myself too, who mustered the courage to take on the most daring tasks and uncover the most hidden secrets. It was like, I couldn't help myself but to reflect on the events that had taken place the hours ago. One minute, we had gotten together to play a game of truth or

Chapter 15: "Found," ───── ❝ R U B Y F R I D A Y ' S P O V ❞ ──── ║ Gregorian Calendar ║ 01 - 03 - 2027 ║ ║ Sunday║ Free Day ║ ╭────────── ⋅ ⋅ ✦❘༻༺❘✦⋅ ⋅ ──────────╮ We, the Coven of Nocturnal Youngbloods, extend a sinister invitation to you to join our ranks. Bring your own supplies and arrive at the precise coordinates — N 43° 20' 9.7 & W 79° 30' 30.9 – and be ready to become part of the darkness. The hour is upon us, brave one. Our power is strong and our purpose is clear. We await your presence at the stroke of midnight for a chance to embrace the night and embrace a new power unlike anything you've ever experienced before. Come and walk the bridge, take a breath of the forbidden air, and join us in our private gathering. When: 9 P.M to 12 P.M Where: Beyond the Glass Bridge, The Coven's Base ╰────────── ⋅ ⋅ ✦❘༻༺❘✦⋅ ⋅ ──────────╯ Time stood still as I re-read coven's invitation with the engraved time and location for the hundredth time of this day. An indescribable antici

Chapter 17: "Do I Wanna Know?"───── ❝ R U B Y F R I D A Y ' S P O V ❞ ──── ║ Gregorian Calendar ║ 01 - 07 - 2027 ║ ║ Thursday║ Class Day ║ My head was spinning as I wound through the thrumming cafeteria. Every corner seemed to be a cacophony of whispers and glances in my direction. I tried not to pay much attention to it, but the noise was becoming too loud — like a growing storm that was threatening to blow me away. As I cascaded down the cold and unfamiliar path, passing by students who were chatting about me, I can hear occasional murmurs of my name and conversations that seemed to stop as soon as I approached. I felt like their incessant gossips about me was seemingly like ghost gliding across the floor, as their whispers and rumors followed me everywhere into every bits of the space. My stomach churned both nervously and furiously, and I wanted to turn around and run away. But I didn't. I kept walking, pretending I couldn't hear the snide remarks and judgmental stares. I k

Chapter 19: "Jaws of Hell,"───── ❝ R U B Y F R I D A Y ' S P O V ❞ ────║ Gregorian Calendar ║ 01 - 08 - 2027 ║║ Friday║ 2nd Midnight ║The old circus tent loomed before me, its faded crimson and violet fabric fluttering eerily in the chill night air. It seemed to close in around me, suffocating and claustrophobic. An icy grip of dread and doom seized my heart as I thought of what horrors this place might contain. The shadows seemed to dance and whisper at the edges of my vision, mocking and jeering. "Fuck, Ruby. You better knew where this one will end," I was infinitely cursing myself under my breath as I take in the dread with my eyes closed. I knew I shouldn't go in, that this was a terrible idea. But my curiosity was piqued, and I had come this far. Grazing my eyes even more trying to shake the anxiety creeping up on me, I saw under the dim nights that the surroundings of the tent was a perfect chaos — where broken chairs and debris were strewn about, like it was remnants of s