The city was silent, but for Lucas, every step echoed in his mind like a warning drum. He had arranged to meet Isa earlier, before the main group returned to the school. They wanted to follow new leads about the shadow and the student's body, but Lucas had an urgent problem: Matias from 3rd year was after him, and escaping wouldn't be easy.
Isa (adjusting her backpack): "Lucas, do you think we can find anything outside the school?"
Lucas: "We need to move fast. If Matias shows up…" — He swallowed hard, recalling the rival's last threat.
As they walked through the nearly deserted streets, Lucas felt his stomach tighten. He knew Matias wouldn't give up until he discovered Claws' weak point, which meant real danger for the whole group.
---
It wasn't long before Matias appeared. He stepped out from a side alley, blocking the path.
Matias (smiling cruelly): "Lucas… I finally found you. Today you're going to tell me everything about Claws. What's his weak point? His friends? Anything I can use?"
Lucas tried to step back but was pushed hard against the wall.
Lucas (stammering, trying to stay composed): "I… don't know what you're talking about."
Matias (shouting, punching Lucas' arm): "Don't lie to me! I know you were involved in that gang war day!"
Lucas felt the ache in his bones but refused to show weakness. He remembered the day of the gang war: the police had arrived because of a call made by Claws' group. Matias didn't know who had made it, but he was about to find out.
Matias (pressing Lucas, glancing at his partially fallen phone): "You're going to tell me now."
At that moment, Matias noticed something on the screen: a subtle notification—"Police call sent by Claws' group." His eyes widened, and the cruel smile vanished.
Matias: "Wait… it was you…? You called the police that day?"
Lucas nodded slowly, his heart racing.
Lucas: "I… had to. There was no other option."
The silence that followed was heavy. Matias bit his lower lip, finally realizing Claws' true weak point.
Matias (muttering, eyes fixed on Lucas): "So it's not you… his weak point is… his friends. That's why he would never attack me directly."
Before Matias could react further, Lucas stepped back and discreetly called Isa through his earpiece, sending the message: "Come quick. Matias is here. Real danger."
Isa, already sensing something was wrong, ran through the back of the alley to where Lucas was. Before Matias could act, she appeared, holding a flashlight and shouting:
Isa: "Let him go!"
Isa's shout made Matias hesitate. In that instant, Claws arrived running through the alley, observing the scene. His presence was imposing, and the fixed look in his eyes was enough for Matias to realize he was at a disadvantage.
Claws (coldly): "Matias, you need to learn not to approach my friends."
Matias, realizing he had lost the upper hand, glanced again at Lucas' phone. The notification still glowed, reminding him that Lucas had called the police. Panicked, the 3rd-year student understood that any action now would be disastrous.
Matias: "I… I'm leaving!" — He shouted and ran down the alley, disappearing into the city shadows.
Lucas, still breathing heavily, looked at Claws with relief.
Lucas: "Thank you… I… didn't know what to do."
Claws (taking a deep breath): "It's okay. But this makes it clear we must never underestimate danger. Matias knows now that our weak point is us, together."
---
Meanwhile, Isa and Lucas resumed their investigation outside the school. They decided to follow the trail of Augusto and the third-year student they had seen leaving the school the previous night. They walked through nearby streets, noticing suspicious activity: a car parked near the school, shadows entering and leaving discreet locations.
Lucas (pointing at the car): "Look… this could be important. Maybe it's related to the shadow or what happened with the student's body."
Isa agreed, taking mental notes of everything they observed.
Isa: "We need to photograph and document everything. When we show the group, they'll understand that strange things aren't happening only inside the school."
The two followed the streets, keeping their distance, observing, and collecting every small clue. Each suspicious movement, every shadow passing quickly, heightened the tension. They realized they couldn't rely solely on the school corridors; something much bigger was going on.
---
Later, Matheus and Sabrina, along with Diego and Julia, were at a nearby café, laughing and trying to relax after a tense day. Still, concern for the group lingered.
Sabrina (looking at Matheus): "I know they're capable… but I can't stop thinking if they're in danger."
Diego (holding Julia's hand): "Me too… I just hope Claws is taking care of everything."
Meanwhile, Isa and Lucas continued to follow the leads, knowing that the group's safety depended on every discovery. The night was cold, danger real and present, but it was also the moment they were closest to uncovering the truth about the shadow, the body, and the school's secrets.
The chapter ends with the feeling that the group is entering dangerous, unknown territory. Matias now knows Claws' weak point, the clues about the shadow are beginning to align, and the investigation outside the school shows that no one is safe—not even inside Aurora Academy.