Riven followed Alex, his mind spinning from the abrupt offer of partnership.
"This is the fastest route to the dorms," Alex explained as they cut across a wide, empty lawn near the edge of the campus. He didn't sound like a conspirator, just a confident college kid.
"So, what do you know?" Riven asked, keeping his voice low.
"I know the people who run this place, the real power on campus, thought your brother was getting too close," Alex said, lowering his head conspiratorially. "He was looking into a group called The Circle. I know where he kept his evidence."
Riven felt a flicker of hope. "Where?"
"Not here," Alex shook his head. "We have to be careful. People are watching you, Riven. Especially one guy. He hated Jay, and he'll hate you for being here."
Just as Alex finished the warning, a shadow fell over them.
"Well, look what the dead cat dragged in," a gruff voice sneered.
Riven turned. The man was huge, with a harsh, aggressive look that matched the files Riven had read. This was Ken, the other bully, the one connected to the toxic atmosphere surrounding Jay's death.
"Ken," Alex acknowledged, his smile hardening, losing all its warmth.
Ken ignored Alex and stepped right into Riven's space, crowding him against the bushes. "You're the little brother, aren't you? Came here to play detective? Go home. You don't belong here." He shoved Riven's shoulder hard.
Riven stumbled back, catching himself. The contact felt electric, dangerous. "I'm not leaving," he said, his voice quiet but steady.
Ken scoffed, shoving him again, harder this time. "This campus has rules, amateur. Rule number one: don't bring up dead brothers." He laughed, a short, nasty sound. "Now move your trash out of my way before I move it for you."
"Enough, Ken," Alex said, stepping between them.
Ken looked at Alex with contempt. "Stay out of this, Alex. This isn't your fight." He pushed Riven one last time, making sure to show who was in charge, then swaggered away toward the main administration building.
Riven took a deep breath, trying to control the rush of adrenaline. "He's charming."
"He's a pest," Alex agreed, his eyes distant as he watched Ken walk away. "Don't worry about him. He's all noise, no substance." Alex put a comforting, firm hand on Riven's back and steered him forward. "Let's get you settled."
Later that night, the moon was high and the campus was silent. Riven was alone in his small dorm room, staring at the ceiling, thinking over the clues Alex had dropped. He had no idea how close the danger still was.
Alex, however, wasn't thinking about clues. He was thinking about how annoying Ken had been, and how easily Riven had let himself be intimidated.
Alex found Ken near the back of the deserted lecture hall.
"Hey, Ken," Alex called out softly.
Ken turned, expecting a confrontation. "What do you want, Alex? Come to cry about your new friend?"
Alex just smiled, but it was the kind of smile that didn't promise anything good. "I came to finish the job you started with Jay."
Ken didn't even have time to register the shift in Alex's eyes before Alex was on him. It wasn't a fight—it was an execution. Alex had been holding back when he helped Riven earlier; now, his movements were precise and deadly. He used his knowledge of the campus's blind spots and his own startling, cruel strength to ensure Ken wouldn't bother anyone again.He pulled out his gun shot ken. He dumped Ken's heavy, lifeless body behind the groundskeeping shed.
The rush of adrenaline wasn't fueled by fear or defense, but by pure, cold enjoyment. Alex liked the feeling of ending a problem permanently.
He had one more loose end. A girl named Mia, whom Riven's brother had briefly confided in. She knew too many details about the bullying and Alex's true role in the campus hierarchy.
Alex found Mia studying alone in the nearly empty common room of the library annex.
"Hey, Mia," Alex said, his voice perfectly friendly. "Need a break? Come on, I want to show you something outside. It'll only take a minute."
Mia, trusting and tired, packed her bookbag. "Sure, Alex."
They walked to a secluded, unlit area near the back exit. Mia asked about a party, oblivious. Alex didn't answer. When they were entirely out of sight, Alex turned, the friendly mask dissolving into that empty, chilling stare.
Mia saw it and understood too late. She let out a strangled cry, but Alex clamped his hand over her mouth. Her struggle was brief and soundless. He did it for the fun of it—because he could, and because he needed to make sure that Riven, the one he planned to control, would trust him completely. Now, there was no one left to contradict his story.
Alex walked back to his own dorm room,humming a tune. Two distractions, gone.
Riven was already asleep, his mind heavy with the day's events. He was now relying entirely on the man who had, hours later, cheerfully committed a double murder.
Riven has no idea Alex is the real threat and believes Ken is still the main danger. The game has truly begun.