The day dawned gray at Aurora High. A fine rain fell over the courtyard, reflecting the tension that weighed heavily on everyone. Rafa, Isa, and Lucas gathered in the study room, each holding a hot coffee that did little to warm their nerves.
"We need to find a real connection," Isa said, flipping through her notes. "The bodies, the deputies' children, the symbols… everything points to someone with deep knowledge of the gangs and the school."
Rafa crossed her arms, her gaze fixed on a distant spot.
"And my brother… he knows too much. But every time I try to confront him, he comes up with explanations that make sense. It's like he's always one step ahead of us."
Lucas nodded.
"And Marta keeps confusing us. She's always in the right places, but we never know what she's doing there. And Claws' grandfather, Antônio… his actions and instructions make me suspicious as well."
Claws remained silent, his eyes scanning the notebook filled with records. He had noticed small inconsistencies in the times and locations of the deaths, and something told him the black car wasn't just a random shadow: it was always connected to the tragedies—including the death of his own parents.
---
As they reviewed photos Lucas had taken of suspicious places, Isa swiped through the tablet and suddenly stopped.
"Wait… what's this?" she asked, pointing at an image.
Rafa leaned closer. Her heart raced as she recognized it: the black car was parked discreetly on the road when Claws' parents had their fatal accident. The picture was blurry, but clear enough to leave no doubt.
"This… this means someone was there, waiting?" Rafa whispered, her voice trembling.
"And what if it's the same person behind these deaths now?" Lucas added, tension rising. "Someone who manipulates the gangs, watches the school… and kills when they choose."
Claws clenched his fists, cold rage coursing through him.
"So the black car… it's been there since the beginning. They manipulated us, controlled everything, and now…" He took a deep breath. "We have to find out who."
---
Later, Isa and Lucas decided to investigate the warehouse where Marta had recently been spotted. As they approached, Marta suddenly appeared, as if she had been waiting for them.
"What are you doing here?" Lucas asked, trying to mask his distrust.
Marta gave an enigmatic smile.
"Just making sure everything's safe. Do you really believe you can uncover this on your own?"
Isa narrowed her eyes.
"You're always in the wrong places with perfect excuses. Why is that?"
Marta shrugged and quickly disappeared into the building, leaving the group unsettled.
"She's hiding something," Rafa muttered under her breath. "But we don't know what."
Meanwhile, Rafa's brother watched from afar in silence. Every move was calculated, every gesture designed to avoid suspicion. He knew the group was closer to the truth than ever. Every clue, every photo, every apparent slip-up was just a way to test their vigilance—and to make sure nothing was uncovered before the right time.
---
At the end of the day, Claws returned to his grandfather's mansion. Antônio was seated at the table, studying documents, his expression serious, almost stern.
"Did you find anything new?" the grandfather asked without looking up.
"Yes," Claws answered firmly. "The black car was at my parents' accident. Someone was watching them from the start."
The old man slowly raised his head, studying Claws carefully.
"That confirms you're ready to understand the game. But remember: knowing isn't enough. You must be ready to act."
A chill ran down Claws' spine. He knew his grandfather controlled far more than he let on, but he also knew he needed to uncover the truth on his own.
---
Back at the study room, Rafa, Isa, and Lucas analyzed the photo of the black car.
"This changes everything," Lucas said, his voice heavy with tension. "The killer isn't just someone with access to the school and the gangs. He has a strategy—and it seems it started with Claws, from the accident."
Rafa bit her lip.
"My brother…" she whispered. "He's always around when something important happens, always knows too much. But Marta is always nearby too. And the grandfather… no one knows how much he really controls."
Isa looked at Rafa.
"So we now have three clear suspects: your brother, Marta, and the grandfather. But one thing's certain—the black car showed us that this danger didn't begin yesterday. It's been planned for a long time."
Claws took a deep breath.
"And now we need to protect ourselves. Every wrong step, every misplaced suspicion could cost someone's life."
The group exchanged grave looks, fully aware of the weight of their situation. Each carried their own doubts, but the truth remained hidden. Rafa's brother stayed invisible, Marta continued to confuse them with her calculated moves, and the grandfather remained in the shadows, always controlling the board.
The black car vanished into the rainy night, but the warning remained, sharper than ever. The group knew the next piece of the game was about to be moved—and any distraction could prove fatal.