Tara folded her arms, her gaze cold and sharp like ice.
"I knew something was fishy," she said, her voice low, clipped. "Of course you had a reason to help me."
I actually thought… maybe he liked me, she thought bitterly, the ache in her chest quickly buried beneath anger.
Arib stood quietly in front of her, his face calm, though something flickered in his eyes. Hurt, perhaps.
"I didn't have any reason," he said. "I just... wanted to be your friend."
Tara scoffed, stepping back. Her eyes narrowed into slits. "Oh really? Then why didn't you mention that your father was spying on me?"
Arib shrugged slightly, avoiding her eyes. "I didn't think it mattered. I'm not exactly close to my family, you know."
"Don't give me that crap." Her voice turned sharp, slicing through the space between them. "Just... leave. I'll handle my problems."
He looked at her for a long second, then stepped forward, gentler this time.
"Let me help you. If that's what it takes to earn your trust..."
Tara cut him off. "Help me? Or help your father?"
The words hung in the air like smoke.
Arib fell silent.
He looked at her, and something shifted behind his gaze — a realization, a crack in his defenses.
Why does it matter so much to me what she thinks? Why do I care if she walks away?
Shit. I like her.
After a pause, he said quietly, "Tell me. How does he want to use you? Maybe… I can actually help this time."
Tara turned away. Her voice was low and bitter.
"Hah. Whatever."
She walked off, her arms folded tightly across her chest, eyes stinging though she kept her expression hard. Each step felt heavier than the last.
I'm not hurt. Why would I be? Everyone's the same. Just like him.
She clenched her fists tighter, nails digging into her palms.
---
Scene Father and Son
The office door slammed open.
"What's your deal with Tara?" Arib demanded, storming inside. "Why are you using her?"
Mr. Rayan looked up slowly from his desk, his eyes cool, unaffected.
"Stay out of my business."
Arib's voice rose. "I knew you'd stoop to anything for power. Even trying to become the Principal..."
"Shut up," Rayan snapped. "You're my son. Don't be anyone's puppet. Be my strength—be my power."
Arib's laugh was dry, bitter. "Your power? After what you did to Mom? You destroyed everything we had."
Mr. Rayan's voice turned rough, almost a growl. "How many times do I have to say it? I didn't kill her. I loved her!"
Arib's eyes burned. "Then go tell your loving new wife that. She might get jealous."
He didn't wait for a response. He turned and walked out, slamming the door behind him.
---
Hidden Secrets
Later, Arib entered the Academy library under the hush of twilight. The towering bookshelves were silent witnesses to countless secrets. He moved quickly, searching until he found a thick, dusty book: Origins of Eclipse Power.
Flipping through the pages, his eyes caught on a haunting illustration—an ancient, glowing stone sealed in a container.
> "A relic hidden within the Academy grounds. If the Stone is embedded within a host, it can grant powers beyond imagination. But the risk of death is high. Only one with immense energy can release it from its sealed chamber."
Arib leaned closer, whispering, "What the hell is this place…?"
---
The Girls' Mission
That night, Tara entered her room with a heavy heart. Rose looked up.
"What about Arib?"
Tara didn't hesitate. "He doesn't know anything."
Nadia frowned. "So now? What are you gonna do? Will you say yes to Mr. Rayan?"
Rose spoke up, thoughtful. "First, we should know what he's going to ask you to do."
Jisa nodded. "Yes, you're right. But how?"
Rose gave a small smirk. "Let's ask my mom. She used to be the Principal. She knows how Rayan works."
Tara met her eyes. "Okay. Let's do that. Call your mom."
"Not call," Jisa said, standing up. "Let's go meet her."
Nadia was already reaching for her phone. "Okay, I'll book a cab—"
"Why cab?" Rose interrupted. "I have my car."
The other three looked at her, wide-eyed.
"Don't overreact," Rose muttered.
Nadia stepped out onto the balcony and quietly called Mr. Rayan.
"She's going to meet the former Principal," she whispered. "Does she know anything?"
Mr. Rayan's voice was calm. "Let her. She'll say yes to me anyway. You just go with them."
Evelyn
Rose's house looked more like a palace—marble floors, high ceilings, antique chandeliers. They followed her through the echoing halls into a large room, where a woman sat with quiet authority.
"Mom, these are my friends," Rose said. "Tara, Nadia, and Jisa."
Miss Evelyn nodded, motioning for them to sit.
Jisa wasted no time. "Ma'am, we need your help. It's about Mr. Rayan."
Tara added quickly, "We think he's planning something dangerous. Something to do with a powerful stone. I think he wants to use me."
Evelyn's gaze sharpened. She was silent for a long beat.
"He might be trying to use you to release a stone," she said finally. "But that requires enormous power. More than most can handle. I'm not sure you have enough, Tara."
Tara frowned. "Then… what does he want from me?"
"I don't know." Evelyn shook her head. "I can't help you with that."
"Thank you, Ma'am," Jisa said, standing. "We'll leave now."
But as they were about to go, Evelyn called Rose over, her voice soft but firm.
"Be careful. Don't get too involved. There's something very wrong about this."
After the girls left, Evelyn remained seated, thoughtful. Then she reached for her phone.
"Look into Mr. Rayan," she said to the voice on the other end. "I have a feeling he's hiding something. Something old. Something dangerous."
She hung up, staring at the window, a distant memory flashing through her mind—a burning house, screaming voices, and the smell of ash.
---
By the Pond
Back at the hostel, Tara stepped out of the car. Arib was waiting near the entrance, his eyes rimmed red.
"You guys go ahead," Tara said to the others.
Arib reached out and grabbed her hand—but she pulled away instantly.
"Don't try to get close."
They walked in silence toward the pond, the air around them tense.
"Tara, the stone... If you do this, it could kill you."
"I don't care." Her voice was steady, flat. "I'm going to say yes."
What could be worse than this? she thought. I'm already lost. I don't even know who I am. I have to find out.
Arib tried again. "Please, just listen—"
"Don't act like you care," she snapped.
He tried to smile, but it faded quickly.
"Tara… I really like you."
She stopped walking. Her face was unreadable for a moment, then she replied coldly, "I just can't trust you so easily."
Arib's voice was quiet. "Take your time. And please… let me help."
Tara didn't answer. She turned and walked away.
Meanwhile, Jisa sat alone in a quiet corner and called Principal Z.
"Principal, you need to know what's going on with Mr. Rayan," she said. "It's about the stone."
Principal Z listened silently.
"Okay," he replied softly. "I understand."
He hung up and closed his eyes. A memory flickered—orange flames devouring a house, a woman screaming, a child crying.
His expression hardened.
So it begins again.