It was Kaylie's first day at Blackwood High.
The sky was draped in soft gray clouds, and a chilly breeze whispered through the trees, dancing with her long brown hair. As she stepped out of the car, her heart pounded with anxiety. A new city. A new school. New people.
Inside the administration office, the principal glanced at her file, gave a peculiar smile, and said,
"You've been assigned to Section Z."
Kaylie blinked.
"Section Z? I've never heard of that section before."
The principal paused, then leaned forward slightly,
"That's because Section Z isn't like the others. Only... different students go there."
Kaylie didn't know how to respond. She simply nodded and walked toward the unknown.
The moment she pushed open the door to Section Z, a strange silence fell. All eyes were on her. Cold. Distant. Judging. Not a single welcoming smile in sight.
She swallowed hard, clutching her bag tighter, and quietly slid into the last seat at the back of the room.
That's when she noticed two people in particular — one was Keifer, a tall, mysterious boy with dark eyes and a sharp jawline. He didn't look up, but Kaylie felt his gaze burn through her. The other was Aries, a sharp, confident girl who looked at Kaylie as if she didn't belong there — or anywhere near them.
As the class continued in silence, Kaylie felt invisible... yet watched.
Lunchtime came. Everyone left in groups — except her. Kaylie walked alone through the crowded cafeteria, tray in hand, scanning for an empty table. Just when she was about to sit alone, a voice called out:
"Hey, new girl! Over here!"
She turned to see a cheerful boy waving at her. That was Ci-N. Beside him sat a calm, kind-looking guy with gentle eyes — David.
"You're Kaylie, right? Come join us. Section Z doesn't have to be all weird." Ci-N grinned.
She hesitated, then slowly walked over and sat down.
"Why does everyone act so cold in Section Z?" she finally asked.
David replied softly,
"Because everyone there has... secrets. Powers. Something strange inside them. You're here for a reason too."
Kaylie was silent.
Then David leaned forward, looking serious.
"Have you seen the glowing mark?"
Kaylie's eyes widened.
"What do you mean... glowing mark?"
Ci-N jumped in, excited,
"Sometimes on the walls... in the dark halls… there's a glowing 'Z' mark. Only certain people can see it."
Kaylie's voice dropped.
"I saw it. Just once. In the hallway. It disappeared before I could even understand it."
David and Ci-N exchanged a look. The playful energy around them suddenly faded.
David whispered,
"That mark only appears to the chosen ones."
Kaylie's heart skipped.
"Chosen... for what?"
From across the cafeteria, Keifer and Aries were watching. Not smiling. Not amused. Not pleased.
Kaylie had just entered Section Z — and her life was about to change forever.