Inside the Academy, morning light filtered weakly through the tall windows, casting long shadows along the polished floors. A tense stillness hung in the air, broken only by the faint wail of distant police sirens. Footsteps echoed sharply down the empty corridor, each step tightening the knot of unease within the walls.
Miss Nyla's voice trembled with worry. "Ma'am, please listen to me. We're all on edge about this…"
A guard's low voice cut through, rough and cautious. "Ma'am is very angry. Please don't disturb her."
Suddenly, the door burst open with a thunderous bang.
Miss Evelyn stormed inside, fury blazing in her eyes. "Do you even understand the gravity of your duties? This is how you run an academy?"
Principal Z remained calm but firm, his deep voice steady. "Please, calm down. The police are searching everywhere."
Miss Evelyn's voice rose, sharp and accusing. "I know! But how did she disappear from her room? Is this your 'high security'?"
Principal Z's gaze hardened, cold as steel. "It's not just your daughter. Multiple girls have gone missing. Do you think we're sitting idle? We are treating all cases equally."
Miss Evelyn jabbed a finger toward him. "Have your guards even talked to her roommates?"
There was a pause, heavy with hesitation. "No," Principal Z finally admitted.
"Call them. Now."
---
Minutes later, the tension in the office thickened as footsteps approached. The door creaked open slowly.
"Enter," Principal Z commanded.
Nadia and Zoya stepped in, their nerves barely contained.
Miss Evelyn's voice sharpened. "Where's the other girl?"
Zoya's voice barely rose above a whisper. "I don't know. I haven't seen her since the announcement in the auditorium."
Principal Z narrowed his eyes, his mind racing. Where did she go...?
"What happened last night? Did you see anything?"
Nadia hesitated. "No. I didn't see anything."
Zoya's mind spun with doubt. She wasn't even there that night… Why lie?
Miss Evelyn's anger flared, pointing accusingly at Zoya. "Do I have to ask again?"
"No, ma'am," Zoya rushed out. "I didn't see anything. When I woke up, Rose was already missing. But Tara… Tara was really tense."
Miss Evelyn's eyes hardened. "Where is she now?"
Principal Z nodded sharply. "Alright, you may leave. Wait—do either of you know where Tara is?"
In unison, Nadia and Zoya shook their heads. "No, sir."
"Fine. Dismissed."
---
Once the girls had left, Miss Evelyn's voice dropped to a cold whisper. "Is there anything else I should know besides this 'kidnapping'?"
Principal Z's deep voice held an edge of annoyance. "No. And for your sake, I've already broken protocol by interrogating students directly. I have responsibilities—I can't waste more time."
Miss Evelyn gritted her teeth, but said nothing.
The sound of a phone dialing broke the silence, the faint crackle of a connection heard.
"Search for Tara, too. She's missing," Principal Z ordered into the receiver.
---
Later, in the boys' dorm, the room was silent except for the whispering wind outside. A phone buzzed repeatedly, unanswered.
Arib's voice cracked with worry. "She's not picking up…"
Neel's tone was firm. "I think Tara was right. We should search for Rose. I'm going to the jungle now. Are you with me?"
Arib's eyes hardened with determination. "Tara's already in the jungle. I'm sure of it. It's dangerous, but we have to go."
---
The jungle loomed, shrouded in thick fog and cold, whispering winds. The distant caws of crows echoed eerily as leaves crunched beneath cautious footsteps.
Tara moved carefully, gripping a sword of flickering fire—her own power still flickering weakly. She whispered to herself, voice low and tense.
"Where are you, Rose? I thought you were strong... but you got kidnapped?"
A sudden whisper drifted on the wind.
"Hi, Tara."
Her hand tightened on the sword's hilt. "Who's there?"
The voice echoed, strange and haunting. "I'm just like you."
Tara's eyes darted through the mist, heart pounding. "What do you mean?"
"Let's make a deal. Shall we?"
Tara's voice sharpened, scanning the shadows. "First, show yourself!"
The voice mocked, cold and teasing. "Afraid?"
A smirk curled on Tara's lips. "Afraid? You should be. Only cowards hide in shadows."
A swirl of cold wind rushed through the trees. From the mist stepped a tall man, his long blue coat flowing behind him. Sharp features and piercing blue eyes locked onto Tara's.
Tara stared warily. "You… who are you? What do you want?"
He smiled slightly, calm and unreadable. "Here I am. My name isn't important… yet."