The knock came the next morning.
Sharp.
Firm.
Unavoidable.
My eyes snapped open immediately.
For a second, I didn't move.
Because I already knew.
"Open the door."
The voice was calm.
But strict.
The hostel supervisor.
My chest tightened as Mia got up slowly and opened the door.
The supervisor stepped in, her presence instantly filling the room. Behind her stood Diana… and Gabrielle.
Cassie sat up on her bed, her face pale.
Marvel?
Already awake.
Already watching.
"I believe there was an incident reported yesterday," the supervisor said, scanning the room.
No one spoke.
"Good," she continued. "That means I'll hear everything clearly."
And just like that—
Everything began.
Diana spoke first.
"My purse went missing. We searched, and at first we thought it was in Nuella's bag—"
"I said I didn't take it," I cut in, my voice firm this time.
The supervisor raised her hand slightly. "You'll speak when it's your turn."
I went quiet.
But my heart didn't.
Diana continued, "Later… we found it with Cassie."
All eyes turned to Cassie.
She looked like she wanted to disappear.
"Is that true?" the supervisor asked.
Cassie nodded slowly. "Yes… but—"
"No 'but,'" the supervisor said sharply. "Did you take it?"
"…Yes."
The word dropped like a stone.
The room felt heavier instantly.
Final.
Clear.
Cassie was guilty.
But it didn't end there.
Because then—
Marvel spoke.
"But ma," she said softly, stepping forward, "there's something else you should know."
My stomach dropped instantly.
The supervisor turned to her. "Go on."
Marvel folded her arms lightly. "Before the purse was found with Cassie… it was seen in Nuella's bag."
Silence.
Then—
The supervisor turned to me.
And just like that…
I was back in it.
My chest tightened, but this time—I didn't panic.
Not like before.
I stepped forward slightly.
"That's not the full story," I said.
The supervisor's eyes stayed on me. "Then tell me the full story."
I took a breath.
"Mia saw someone near my bag when I wasn't in the room," I said. "And when the purse was found later, it wasn't in my things anymore."
Mia stepped forward immediately. "Yes, ma. That's true."
The supervisor nodded slowly.
Then turned to Cassie.
"Did you put the purse in her bag?"
The room held its breath.
Cassie shook her head quickly. "No… I didn't."
That answer changed everything.
Again.
"Then how did it get there?" Gabrielle asked sharply.
No one answered.
But I didn't look at them.
I looked at Marvel.
She looked back.
Calm.
Unbothered.
Like none of this touched her.
And that's when it clicked.
Fully.
Clearly.
She wasn't just watching the chaos.
She was shaping it.
"I have a question," I said suddenly.
The supervisor turned to me. "Go ahead."
I kept my eyes on Marvel.
"Why were you the one who pointed at my bag yesterday?"
The room went still.
Marvel didn't even blink.
"I was helping," she said simply.
"Helping?" I repeated. "Or directing?"
Mia shifted slightly beside me.
Diana frowned.
Even Gabrielle looked uncertain now.
The supervisor's gaze sharpened. "Answer properly."
Marvel tilted her head slightly.
"I just said what made sense at the time," she replied calmly. "If something is missing, you check everywhere."
"Except you were very specific," I said quietly.
That landed.
For the first time—
Marvel paused.
Just for a second.
But I saw it.
Small.
But real.
Then she smiled again.
"That doesn't prove anything."
"No," I said. "But it shows intention."
Silence.
Heavy.
The supervisor looked between us.
Carefully.
Thinking.
"This situation is no longer simple," she said finally. "Cassie, you've admitted to theft. That alone is a serious offense."
Cassie nodded weakly, tears already forming again.
"As for the rest…" the supervisor continued, "I will investigate further. No one leaves this dorm unnecessarily until I say so."
My chest tightened.
This wasn't over.
Not even close.
"Everyone is under observation," she added.
Then she turned and walked out.
Diana and Gabrielle followed.
The door closed.
And just like that—
The room exploded.
"What is wrong with you?" Diana's voice echoed from outside, directed at Cassie.
"I said I was sorry!" Cassie cried.
Inside…
It was quieter.
More dangerous.
Mia turned to me. "You handled that well."
I nodded slightly.
But my eyes?
Still on Marvel.
She was smiling again.
Like none of this mattered.
"You're bold," she said softly.
"And you're not as smart as you think," I replied.
Her smile widened.
"Oh… we'll see about that."
A chill ran down my spine.
Because this wasn't just tension anymore.
This wasn't just misunderstanding.
This was war.
And for the first time…
I wasn't afraid.