The next morning, Blackwood City College was filled with the usual noise of students talking, laughing, and rushing to their classes.
But for Ryan, it was just another quiet morning.
He walked through the campus as he always did—calm, silent, and alone. Some students looked at him with curiosity, while others simply ignored him.
Ryan didn't seem to care.
He entered the classroom and took his usual seat in the last row.
A few minutes later, the classroom door opened.
The new girl walked in again.
Her name was Elena.
Unlike the other students, Elena had been thinking about Ryan since yesterday. There was something strange about him—something she couldn't explain.
She looked around the classroom, but most seats were already taken.
Only one seat was empty.
The one beside Ryan.
Some students whispered quietly.
"Is she going to sit there again?"
"He never talks to anyone."
Ignoring the whispers, Elena calmly walked toward the empty seat and sat down.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Ryan was writing something in his black notebook again.
Elena tried not to stare, but she noticed something strange on the page.
It looked like another map of Blackwood.
And this time, there were more red circles.
Before she could look closer, Ryan suddenly closed the notebook.
He slowly turned his head and looked at her.
His eyes were calm but sharp.
"You shouldn't be curious about things that don't concern you," he said quietly.
Elena was surprised. It was the first time anyone had heard Ryan speak in class.
But instead of feeling scared, she smiled slightly.
"Maybe," she replied, "but mysteries are hard to ignore."
For a brief moment, Ryan said nothing.
Then he looked away and returned his attention to the front of the classroom.
Outside the window, dark clouds once again covered the sky above Blackwood.
And Elena had no idea that her curiosity had just pulled her into a mystery far more dangerous than she could imagine. 🌑📖