The classroom was empty except for the group. The late afternoon sun barely reached through the dusty windows, and the air smelled faintly of chalk and old wood. The silence felt heavy, like the room itself was holding its breath.
Steve, Tom, Arin, Maya, and Liam sat in a circle, each of them leaning forward, voices low. The tension in the room was almost palpable. The recent incidents—the missing students, shadows, whispers—had left them shaken.
Arin broke the silence. "Seems like… this city has been… I don't know… bad things happening lately," he said slowly, choosing his words. "Paranormal or something. I don't know, but it's not normal."
Maya shivered, wrapping her arms around herself. "Yeah… it's getting creepier. Every day… every night. I keep thinking something's watching me."
Steve's eyes narrowed. He could see the fear in her face, and it matched what he had been feeling too.
Tom raised his hands, trying to calm everyone down. "Okay, okay, guys. Let's not panic. Calm down. We can figure this out… we should explore later, carefully."
Steve took a deep breath. His voice was quiet but firm, carrying weight beyond his years. "It's getting worse. Before it gets any worse, we need to explore. I've been hearing one word in my dreams… always my name. 'Steve… save us…' I don't know what it means. But it feels like someone… someone is asking for my help. Only me. Only my name."
The others went silent for a moment, letting his words sink in.
Arin leaned forward, a frown forming. "If that's true… then maybe we should actually go. Investigate. See what's happening ourselves."
Maya's voice trembled. "But… why at night? Night makes it… worse, don't you think? Things look different, scary… shadows move…"
Tom laughed, shaking his head. "Oh come on, Maya. That's what makes it fun. C'mon, we'll be careful."
Steve nodded. "I agree. Night is when it happens. That's when the incidents occur. We need to see it for ourselves."
Liam rubbed his chin, thoughtful. "Then let's plan. Everyone meet outside before 12 p.m. near the long tree in the old park. We'll explore the streets and alleys from there. Be cautious. But we need to see what's going on."
The group nodded in agreement, the plan settling in like a spark of purpose.
Before they could continue, the classroom door swung open with a loud bang. Raihan and his group of bullies walked in, laughing, the sound echoing off the walls. Their presence drained the room of warmth.
"Looks like the little kids are having a meeting," Raihan mocked, his eyes locking on Steve. "Planning how to save the city from ghosts or something?"
Steve ignored him, standing up and preparing to leave. He tried to walk past, keeping his calm.
But Raihan wasn't done. He grabbed a paper from his desk and smacked it across the back of Steve's head. "Hey! You gonna walk away, or you gonna answer me?" he jeered.
Steve rubbed his head and stayed calm, not giving him the reaction he wanted.
"You know," Raihan continued, his tone sharp and taunting. "Maybe I should just tell everyone what you really are… weak, scared, nothing special."
Something inside Steve's chest tightened. His fists clenched, but he stayed calm. He stepped forward slowly, eyes locked on Raihan. "We apologize if we're bothering you. Just… leave. That's all we want."
Raihan smirked, shaking his head. "Not yet… maybe I'll show you what happens when you ignore me."
Before he could reach Liam, Raihan grabbed him by the collar. Liam's face remained calm, but his eyes flickered with controlled anger. In a swift motion, Liam lifted his leg and delivered a brutal kick, hard enough to send Raihan staggering backward.
The other bullies froze, eyes wide in shock. The air hung thick with tension. They recognized Liam. Once, he had been someone to fear—a gang member known for his strength—but now… he had changed. The weight of his past still lingered, and it was enough to make them think twice.
The bullies stepped back, fear replacing their bravado. "We… we're leaving," one muttered, dragging the rest along.
Raihan stood still for a moment, glaring at both Liam and Steve. "You brat… I'll see you next time," he hissed. "And you too, Steve."
Steve didn't answer. He only watched as they left, the tension in his chest slowly easing. But he knew this wasn't over.
Once the classroom was empty again, the group exhaled together, relief mixing with the adrenaline from the encounter.
Tom laughed nervously, shaking his head. "Well… that was something. Let's hope the night's a bit calmer."
Maya shivered, still wrapping her arms around herself. "I… I don't know if I like this plan anymore."
Arin smiled faintly. "Come on, Maya. We're together. We'll watch each other's backs. Nothing can happen if we stick together."
Steve looked around at them, his own fear and excitement swirling inside him. "Exactly. Tonight, we explore. We find out what's really happening. No one else can stop us but ourselves."
The group nodded, a silent agreement passing among them.
They packed their bags quietly, making sure nothing would give away their plan before nightfall. The school halls were mostly empty now, the echo of their footsteps reminding them of how quiet everything had become.
As Steve walked to the door, he glanced back at the classroom. Shadows clung to the corners, stretching toward him like dark fingers. He shivered, but kept moving.
Outside, the late afternoon air was cool. The streets were nearly empty, the faint hum of distant traffic mingling with the sound of the wind.
"See you tonight," Steve said to the group, his voice low. "Don't be late. Before midnight, at the long tree."
Maya swallowed hard. "And… if something happens?"
Steve's voice was firm. "Then we deal with it together. No one gets left behind."
The group nodded. Each of them felt the weight of the night ahead, but the unity gave them courage.
As they parted ways, Steve couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. He turned several times, scanning the shadows, but saw nothing. Still… a chill ran down his spine. Something was waiting for them. Something that would not let go.
The sun dipped below the horizon, leaving the city in darkness. The streets seemed to twist, alleys stretching farther than they should. Shadows grew long, bending and moving with a life of their own. Steve hurried home, mind racing with anticipation and fear.
Night would come soon. And when it did… the city would reveal its secrets.
Steve lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. The whispers from his dreams returned, soft and urgent.
"Steve… save us…"
He closed his eyes tightly, gripping the blanket. The cold crept under his skin, the air growing heavier with each passing minute.
Outside, a faint movement passed his window, something crouched, watching. Steve's heart leapt into his throat. He wanted to scream, but his body refused to move.
Tonight… he thought. Tonight we find the truth.