The school had closed hours ago, yet here I was, still waiting alone at the gates as the sky dimmed to a soft evening glow. I checked my phone for what felt like the hundredth time and dialed Magnus again. This time, he picked up after a few rings.
"Just wait a little longer, Aria," he said, sounding distracted.
I sighed, feeling a mix of worry and frustration. "Magnus, everyone else has left. Even Regan went home. Are you sure you're coming?"
"Yes, I'll be there soon," he replied, though his voice was tense, as if he were handling something urgent. "Just trust me, alright?"
I hung up, glancing around at the empty street. It was quiet, almost too quiet. A chill prickled the back of my neck, and a wave of unease settled over me. The minutes ticked by, and with each passing second, my anxiety grew. It was already 5:56 pm—almost three hours since dismissal. Magnus should have at least sent someone to pick me up if he couldn't make it himself. This wasn't like him.
