Night had fallen over Aurora Academy, but there was no silence. The wind whistled through the old windows, making the doors that weren't properly closed creak. Rafa, Isa, and Lucas walked in short, careful steps down the deserted corridor, their only light coming from their phone flashlights.
Isa (whispering, gripping Rafa's arm): "I still can't believe we're doing this."
Rafa (serious): "If we don't find anything, we'll stay in the dark. I'm not going to pretend that body didn't exist."
Lucas adjusted his glasses and said:
Lucas: "The problem isn't just the body. It's the shadow. Whoever killed that boy could very well still be roaming around here…"
The air felt heavier, and every step echoed as if someone were following them. Rafa felt her anxiety rising, but also a strange determination. She had no patience for delays—if there was a hidden truth in the school, she was going to uncover it.
---
Meanwhile, Claws walked nervously toward the principal's office. The summons had been unexpected. He entered, closed the door behind him, and froze. Sitting in the main chair, with a firm and imposing gaze, was his grandfather.
Claws (incredulous): "Grandpa…?"
The man smiled faintly.
Grandfather: "Inside here, there's no grandpa. From today on, I am the new principal of Aurora Academy."
Claws stepped back, his heart racing.
Claws: "What? How… what do you mean?"
Grandfather: "There are things you still don't understand," said the new principal gravely. "And it's better that you remain unaware, at least for now."
Nearby, Vice Principal Augusto watched in silence, his eyes assessing every reaction from Claws. It was as if all the trust the boy had in the school was being stripped away.
---
The next morning, the atmosphere in the school was confused. Rumors about "a student found unconscious" were spreading, even without official confirmation. But in the hallways, there were also unexpected scenes: Matheus and Sabrina together, laughing and teasing each other, while Diego and Julia chatted animatedly on the stairs.
Lucas (raising an eyebrow, observing the group): "So it's official?"
Diego smiled, slightly awkward, putting an arm around Julia's shoulders.
Diego: "It's official."
Matheus (laughing): "Looks like we're no longer just classmates, but a group of… couples." — as Sabrina gave him a light slap on the arm.
The lighthearted moment drew laughs, but Rafa didn't join in. She remained quiet, distant, watching Bruna and Lara whispering. Since the previous day, her patience had run out.
---
In the afternoon, tension exploded in the courtyard. Bruna let out a mocking giggle as Rafa passed by.
Bruna: "Look at the perfect little princess walking around boldly… as if she had the courage to face anything."
Rafa stopped. Isa tried to hold her back, but it was in vain. She turned with a cutting gaze.
Rafa: "I'm done being nice."
Before anyone could react, Rafa advanced. The push was direct, making Bruna stumble and nearly fall. Lara tried to intervene, but Rafa spun and delivered a sharp blow, sending her to the ground. The entire courtyard froze to watch.
Rafa (shouting, her voice echoing): "I won't swallow anyone's provocation anymore! Listen to everyone: the old Rafa is gone! I'm back to being who I always was!"
Shock spread among the students. Isa stood wide-eyed, Lucas simply sighed, as if he had expected it. Claws, arriving from afar, saw the scene and furrowed his brow, concerned.
---
That night, Rafa, Isa, and Lucas met again, hidden near the side gate.
Isa (still tense from the fight): "You overdid it today."
Rafa (firm): "I didn't overdo anything. I just stopped pretending. This school is full of secrets, and I won't stay silent anymore."
Lucas pointed toward the dark school entrance.
Lucas: "Then this is where we start. If that shadow shows up again, maybe we'll finally get a clue."
The wind blew stronger, extinguishing the flame of a nearby streetlamp. High up in the windows, a silhouette seemed to watch them, motionless, before vanishing into the darkness.
And the game of mystery at Aurora Academy had only just begun.