Night had fallen over Ouroboros Academy, the air thick with an oppressive chill.
The clocktower loomed ahead, its neon-blue glow casting eerie shadows.
Asher sat chained in the hidden cell, dried blood crusting his forehead, his face pale as death, his once-bright eyes dulled by pain and exhaustion.
His wrists burned against the cold metal chains, each clink echoing his fading hope.
The wall rumbled open, and Yul stepped in, a tray of food in his hands, his smirk sharp as a blade.
He dropped the tray before Asher with a deliberate clatter, the sound jarring in the silent prison.
"Eat," Yul demanded, his voice dripping with mockery, his smirk twisting into something cruel.
"Please, let me go," Asher begged, his voice cracking, raw with desperation. His heart pounded, fear coiling tighter at the memory of Yul's fists and knees.
"If you want to go so bad, all you have to do is fight me. That's all," Yul said, his tone taunting, eyes glinting with malice.
Asher's stomach churned, hunger warring with dread.
"Now eat. I know you're hungry," Yul pressed, his voice colder now, a warning beneath the words.
Asher didn't move, his body frozen, the tray a cruel reminder of his captivity.
Yul's hand shot out, gripping Asher's face, fingers digging into his jaw.
His ice-cold eyes bored into Asher's, unyielding. "If you don't start eating, I'll hurt you some more."
The threat hung heavy, Yul's grip a promise of more pain.
Asher's hands trembled, chains rattling as he grabbed the tray.
He forced himself to eat, each bite tasting of ash, his throat tight with humiliation.
Yul's smirk widened. "Good boy," he mocked.
"What did I do to you? What do you want from me?" Asher cried, tears stinging his eyes, his voice breaking under the weight of confusion and fear.
"If you want answers, then you'll have to beat me," Yul said, his smirk returning.
Asher's chest tightened, a spark of defiance flickering despite his pain.
"Are you afraid of me?" he asked, his voice shaky but daring.
Yul froze, unease flashing across his features, his smirk faltering for a brief moment.
Then he laughed, a harsh, forced sound that didn't reach his eyes.
"Me? Afraid? You dare mock me?" Yul's voice rose, fury igniting as he loomed over Asher.
"This is the biggest insult of my entire life, associating me with fear," Yul spat, his face twisting with rage, his pride wounded.
"So you are," Asher whispered, his voice weak but cutting.
Yul's fury erupted.
His fist slammed into Asher's face, pain exploding across Asher's cheekbone.
"I don't want to hurt you more. Don't push me," Yul snarled, his voice low and dangerous.
He stormed out, the wall sealing shut with a grinding thud, leaving Asher crumpled on the floor, pain throbbing through his skull, his heart heavy with despair.
The next day, Nico, Theo, and Rowan sat in the quadrangle.
Their faces were etched with worry, the air thick with unspoken fears.
"Asher is still nowhere to be found," Rowan said, his voice tight.
"What if it's Kal? Remember the note he showed us—'It's coming for you,'" Theo said.
"But I don't remember Asher leaving the dorm. He would've told me something," Rowan countered.
"Remember how Lira was controlled by Kal? What if the same happened to Asher?" Nico insisted.
"But Kal's been silent all week. What could he be planning?" Rowan asked.
"We don't know much about Kal, and the only person who understands is Lira, but she's been avoiding us all week," Nico said, frustration lacing his words.
"I don't think Kal has Asher. It doesn't make sense," Rowan said, shaking his head, desperation creeping in.
"If Kal was after Asher, it's obviously to kill him. We would've seen Asher's corpse by now."
"That's true, but if not Kal, who then?" Theo said, his eyes wide, fear and confusion battling within him.
"That's the big question," Rowan murmured.
Finn, a classmate, approached, his casual stride clashing with their tension.
"Yo," he greeted, oblivious to their mood.
"What's good, Finn?" Rowan replied, forcing a neutral tone.
"I've been looking for Asher. He borrowed me his note," Finn said.
"Asher's tied up right now, but I could give it to him," Theo offered, his voice strained, masking his fear.
Finn handed the note to Theo. "Thanks, man," Finn said.
"When was that?" Rowan asked, his tone sharp, a flicker of hope.
"Two days ago," Finn replied. "Is there a problem?" He shifted.
"What time?" Rowan pressed, his voice urgent, leaning closer.
"Morning," Finn said, feeling awkward. "What's with the questions?"
"Did you see Asher acting strange or talking with anyone?" Rowan asked, his eyes searching Finn's face for answers.
"No, I saw nothing. He looked fine. The only thing I saw him do was pull out a note that hung from his locker. I think it was a love letter—I mean, he's quite popular, girls will follow.
Any other questions?" Finn asked, his tone growing uneasy.
"You saw him read a note?" Theo asked, his voice rising, a spark of hope igniting.
"Yeah," Finn replied.
"Thanks, Finn," Rowan said, his mind racing.
"Sure, see you later," Finn said before leaving.
"I said it—Asher was on to something he didn't want us to know," Nico snapped, his voice thick with betrayal.
"Don't put it like that. We don't even know what the note said," Rowan countered.
"Well, from what Finn said, he got the letter in the morning. Asher was with us in the evening. I knew something was wrong. I remember him thinking, and I approached, and he said everything was okay, but deep down I knew it wasn't. He keeps hiding things from us," Nico cried, his voice cracking with frustration and hurt.
"You're judging all this too quickly," Rowan said, his voice firm but strained, his loyalty to Asher warring with Nico's words.
"The only thing we should be discussing is finding that note and helping Asher."
"Then what? We save his ass, and then he keeps hiding shit from us, expecting us to save his ass, if he lands in trouble?" Nico argued, his anger flaring.
"Are you hearing yourself? Asher is in danger, and look at what you're busy talking about," Rowan shot back, his voice rising, anger and fear colliding in his chest.
"I'm not saying we shouldn't help Asher, but Nico's right, and you know it, Rowan," Theo said, his voice quieter but heavy.
"I'm also not saying I don't want to help him, but we agreed to do this together. Found Four, wasn't it?" Nico said, his tone bitter, the memory of their pact stinging.
"I understand where you're coming from, Nico, and I agree that Asher is wrong for hiding things from us, but now he could be in serious danger. It's up to us to help him and show him he can trust us," Rowan said, his voice softening, a plea for unity amidst his worry.
"Yeah, let's start by finding the note," Nico agreed, his tone grudging but resolute.
"I think I know where he'd keep it. Let's go to our dorm," Rowan said, his voice firm, hope flickering as he led the way.
The boys were headed to the hostel when Lira and Candice saw them.
She approached, Candice at her side. "Hi," Lira greeted, her voice tentative, a smile flickering despite her unease.
"Hey," they all greeted, their voices strained, masking their worry.
"Hi," Candice greeted, her bright smile cutting through the tension.
"Hey," they greeted back, their tones flat, distracted.
"Nice to meet y'all," Candice said, her enthusiasm undimmed, oblivious to their mood.
"I haven't seen Asher. Is anything wrong with him?" Lira asked, her voice soft.
Rowan pulled Lira aside so Candice wouldn't hear.
"Actually—" Nico cut Rowan short, his voice sharp.
"Asher's fine. He's just been too busy to be around—stress and all, He's actually resting in his dorm," Nico lied, his tone smooth.
"Okay—tell him I sent my regards," Lira said, almost believing.
"Yeah, we'll do that," Nico said. "Come on, let's go back to the dorm. Asher's waiting."
"Yeah, let's go," Rowan played along, his voice tight, guilt gnawing at the lie.
The three continued walking.
"Why did you lie to Lira?" Theo asked, his voice low, confusion in his eyes.
"Speaking of Asher being honest, you weren't really honest back there," Rowan mocked subtly.
"Lira's dealing with a lot. We don't need to stress her with anything else," Nico said, his voice firm, though regret flickered in his chest for shutting Lira out.
Lira lingered behind with Candice.
"I'm no expert, but they're definitely hiding something," Candice said, her voice light but perceptive, her eyes narrowing slightly.
"You see it too," Lira said, her voice soft, guilt washing over her for avoiding her friends.
"Well, I don't blame them. I haven't been really good to them recently."
"I feel like they don't want to put you under too much stress, which is a good thing, so don't let it worry you," Candice said, her tone warm and comforting.
Lira stood with Candice as she watch them go, her mind torn between trust and suspicion.