That night, Aira couldn't sleep.
The image on that cracked phone haunted her. A picture of her and Revan—taken from above, like a predator studying its prey.
> Who would do this?
She scrolled through her inbox. Nothing from the unknown number. Nothing new from Revan.
Until 1:43 a.m.
> Revan_X: I found something.
She bolted upright in bed.
> Revan_X: Meet me now. Library rooftop. Bring the phone.
---
The night air was colder than usual. The rooftop lights flickered faintly. Aira hugged her jacket tighter as she climbed the steps, her pulse rapid with fear and adrenaline.
Revan was already there, pacing.
"I traced the phone," he said as soon as she arrived. "It had a hidden folder. Encrypted, but... I know people."
"Of course you do," Aira muttered, rolling her eyes.
He smirked for a second, then grew serious again.
"There were five pictures. Of you. Me. Even from before we talked. Someone's been watching us for weeks."
Aira's hands shook.
"And there was a name," he added.
She held her breath.
"Nia Vellora."
Aira blinked. "Who—?"
"She's a transfer student. Came here last semester. Quiet. Keeps to herself. But she runs an anonymous blog—exposing 'liars and secrets' at school. She's been right before."
Aira remembered now. The name sounded familiar. She'd seen it in comment sections. Rumors of Nia knowing things she shouldn't have.
"She wants a story," Aira whispered. "She's creating one."
Revan nodded. "And she picked us."
A long silence hung between them.
Then Aira said, "If she wants a story, maybe we should give her one."
Revan tilted his head. "What do you mean?"
"We flip the script. We make her think we're falling into her trap—but we're two steps ahead. We bait her."
He smiled. A slow, dangerous smile.
"Writer and actor," he said. "This could be fun."
But as they shared a look—part trust, part danger—neither of them noticed the small black drone hovering just above the edge of the rooftop.
Recording.
Watching.
And sending everything to a new number.
> Recipient: NiaV_777
> Caption: They think it's you. Perfect.