The air outside the old gym carried the stale scent of dust and varnish, a reminder of the decades it had stood there, largely ignored except for the occasional sports team that needed extra practice space. Tonight, though, it wasn't basketballs echoing off the floor—it was whispers.
Ezra leaned against the cool brick wall just outside the side entrance, watching students slip inside one by one. There was no official event scheduled, which meant this was another one of Kai's "exclusive gatherings." He had yet to explain the full rules, but Ezra knew enough by now to expect trouble.
Kai appeared last, like a conductor making his way to the stage after the orchestra had already tuned. His hair was damp, his leather jacket slung casually over one shoulder, and in the dim light, his smile looked dangerous.
"Thought you weren't coming," Kai said, stepping close enough that Ezra could feel the heat of his body. The words weren't an accusation—more like a taunt.
"You never told me what this was," Ezra replied, his voice even. "And yet I came. That should tell you something."
Kai's smirk deepened. "It tells me you're more curious than cautious. And that's good… for me."
Inside, the gym was lit only by the emergency lights. A circle had formed at the center of the court, the gathered students murmuring among themselves. Ezra recognized some faces—Aiden from the swim team, Harper from student council—but others were strangers, eyes sharp, like they belonged here more than he did.
Kai stepped into the circle, the crowd parting for him. "Alright," he announced, his voice carrying. "You all know the rules. Tonight's dare is for those who think they can handle the truth." His gaze flicked briefly to Ezra before scanning the rest. "No quitting, no backing out. You complete it, or you pay the forfeit."
Aiden crossed his arms. "And what's the dare?"
Kai's grin widened. "You'll see."
From his jacket, he pulled a folded piece of paper and a small silver lighter. "Inside this," he said, holding up the paper, "is a list of names. Each one has a secret. Your task—find the person connected to the name you draw, and get them to admit their secret on camera. You have forty-eight hours."
The crowd buzzed. Ezra felt a knot form in his stomach. "That's not a game," he said quietly to Kai when the others bent to draw slips of paper. "That's blackmail."
Kai didn't flinch. "Only if you think of it that way. I think of it as… pulling the mask off. People love to hide. I just give them a reason to stop."
Ezra shook his head but found himself stepping forward anyway. His fingers brushed against the crumpled slips, pulling one free. The name on it made his chest tighten: Lydia Morrow. The quiet girl who sat three rows behind him in chemistry.
Kai's eyes followed the flicker of recognition across his face. "Ah. Looks like you got an interesting one."
"What's her secret?" Ezra asked.
"That," Kai said, lighting the paper in his hand until it burned to nothing, "is for you to find out."
By the time Ezra left the gym, the autumn air had grown sharp. He slipped his hands into his pockets and headed toward the dorms, his mind turning over what he'd just agreed to. He didn't like the idea of digging into someone's private life—but part of him was equally uneasy about failing the dare. Kai had made it clear: forfeits weren't pleasant.
Halfway back, he heard footsteps behind him. Harper jogged to catch up, her expression tense. "You got Lydia, didn't you?"
Ezra blinked. "Yeah. Why?"
Harper glanced around, then lowered her voice. "Be careful. She's not… fragile exactly, but there's history there. The wrong approach could wreck her."
Ezra frowned. "History?"
But Harper was already shaking her head. "Not mine to tell. Just—don't let Kai push you too far."
The next day, Ezra spotted Lydia in the library. She was bent over a notebook, her dark hair falling like a curtain around her face. He hesitated before walking over, reminding himself he wasn't here to hurt her—just to understand.
"Hey," he said softly. She looked up, eyes wary. "Mind if I sit?"
She shrugged, and he took it as permission. "I wanted to ask—how's chemistry going for you?"
Lydia gave a small smile. "It's… okay. Why?"
"Just wondering." He leaned forward slightly. "Listen, I know this is weird, but—people talk. And I've heard there's something you've been keeping to yourself."
Her smile vanished. "Who told you that?"
"No one," Ezra lied smoothly. "I just… thought maybe it's something you'd rather tell someone before it becomes gossip."
For a moment, he thought she might get up and leave. Instead, she closed her notebook, her hands trembling slightly. "There's a reason I stay under the radar," she said quietly. "Because the last time I didn't… someone I trusted used it against me."
Ezra's throat tightened. He knew that feeling too well.
Before he could reply, she stood, gathering her things. "Tell whoever sent you to back off." And then she was gone.
That night, Kai found him leaning against the railing outside the dorms, staring at the dark campus.
"You get it yet?" Kai asked, slipping a cigarette between his lips.
Ezra didn't answer right away. "She's been hurt before. You really want me to dig that up?"
Kai took a drag, the ember glowing in the dark. "Sometimes the wound has to be opened before it can heal."
Ezra turned to face him. "And sometimes reopening it kills the person."
They stared at each other for a long moment, the air between them charged. Then Kai stepped closer, his voice dropping. "Careful, Ezra. You're starting to sound like you care."
Ezra held his gaze. "Maybe I do."
Kai's smirk faltered, just for a second. And in that second, Ezra realized something—Kai wasn't untouchable. He bled too.