The morning alarm rang weakly at Aurora High, but no one seemed to hear it. The news from the previous week still echoed through the hallways: the death of Claws's parents and the heavy atmosphere spreading like a shadow over everyone.
Rafa was restless. The school's silence didn't match her state of mind. As she walked down the halls, she nearly dropped her backpack in frustration.
"This can't go on like this…" she muttered, clenching her fists. "Whoever did this will pay."
Isa and Lucas were in an empty classroom, analyzing the list they had found in Vice-Principal Augusto's cabinet. The paper was filled with names, times, and ciphered symbols.
"Look at this, Lucas…" Isa pointed to a repeated symbol next to two names. "It's the daughter of that corrupt congressman who died this morning."
Lucas swallowed hard.
"So it wasn't an isolated case… it's repeating."
As they spoke, Diego rushed in.
"Did you see the news? Another body showed up!" he said, breathing heavily. "Daughter of another corrupt congressman."
Rafa lost her composure.
"Again? Then it's a pattern!" she shouted, drawing the attention of a few passing students. "This is tied to the school, to the gangs… and someone's playing God!"
Claws, who had remained silent, felt his heart race. He stood near the group, but the weight of death pressed against his chest. Matheus placed a hand on his shoulder, trying to offer calm.
"Claws… we'll figure this out. But we need to keep a cool head."
He nodded, though his gaze was hard. Every piece of information pointed to a web he still couldn't fully decipher.
---
By late afternoon, the group gathered again at Matheus's house. Rafa, still agitated, couldn't stop gesturing.
"We can't just wait!" she said, slamming the table. "The second death proves someone is hunting down the children of corrupt politicians. They're tied to the school and to the gangs, and… and someone inside all this is pulling the strings!"
Isa took a deep breath.
"Calm down, Rafa. We need to organize the clues before taking action."
Lucas opened his backpack and revealed a series of photos and records he had discreetly taken at the hospital and the school:
The black car that appeared near the first body.
Patterns of Vice-Principal Augusto's late-night movements.
Ciphered messages that might indicate the next target.
"This isn't coincidence," Lucas said in a low voice. "Someone is connecting the school, the gangs, and these politicians."
Claws looked at his friends and felt a spark of trust. They were in this together, and no matter how dangerous it was, he couldn't back down.
---
Later, Claws received a message from his grandfather:
"If you want to survive and protect what's yours, come talk to me. Not later, now."
His heart pounded. Despite everything that had happened, he knew he needed to face Antônio. If his grandfather knew anything about the murders, he couldn't ignore it.
When he arrived, his grandfather was waiting in a dimly lit room of the mansion. Claws noticed the heavy, cold aura that always surrounded the man, but also saw something unexpected: genuine concern.
"Claws," his grandfather said, his voice firm but tinged with restrained emotion, "I know recent events have shaken you. But forces are working against us. These deaths, these gangs, it's all part of something bigger… something you need to understand."
Claws stayed silent, absorbing every word. He knew his grandfather wouldn't reveal everything, but there were hints between the lines.
"So that's it… you know more than you say," Claws replied, trying not to show his nerves.
"I've always known," his grandfather answered, locking eyes with him. "But you need to learn to use that knowledge to your advantage. Protect your friends. Learn. Grow. Because this game… is only just beginning."
Claws felt a mix of anger and relief. He couldn't fully trust him, but he couldn't deny he needed him either.
---
Meanwhile, Rafa, Isa, and Lucas discussed strategies to investigate:
Follow the trail of the black car.
Watch for suspicious movements inside the school, especially from Vice-Principal Augusto.
Try to uncover who might benefit from these deaths.
"Did the congressman's daughter have ties to gangs?" Rafa asked, still on edge.
"Yes," Isa answered. "And from what we've seen, she used those gangs as a shield and for power. But now… whoever's involved knows that doesn't work anymore."
Lucas looked at Rafa.
"Stay alert. Something about your brother's behavior feels off. He's always disappearing at strange hours and seems to know too much."
Rafa swallowed hard. A pang of doubt struck her, but she pushed it back. She didn't want to believe someone so close could be involved.
---
The chapter ends with Claws gazing out the window of Matheus's house, the cold, silent night enveloping the city. On the horizon, the black car moved slowly, almost imperceptibly.
In his coat pocket, his phone vibrated again:
"Don't dig deeper, or the next one will be one of yours."
Claws took a deep breath and looked at his friends.
"They won't break me. Or you. We'll find out who's behind this."
The promise lingered in the air, and the night's darkness seemed to watch every move, silent and merciless.