The tension didn't stay quiet for long.
By afternoon—
It exploded.
Two police vehicles stood outside the school gates, their presence alone enough to turn whispers into fear. Students gathered in small groups, their voices low, their eyes restless.
Something had happened.
Something serious.
And everyone could feel it.
Inside the principal's office—
The air was suffocating.
Aren Voss sat across from a man in uniform, his posture straight, his expression unreadable. The officer's gaze was sharp, experienced—the kind that looked for cracks in silence.
"Let's keep this simple," the officer said, folding his hands on the table. "You were seen near the alley behind Block C yesterday evening."
Aren didn't respond immediately.
Not because he didn't have an answer.
But because he was thinking.
Carefully.
"…yes," he said finally.
The truth.
But not all of it.
The officer studied him.
"Those four students haven't returned home since last night."
Silence.
Aren's eyes didn't shift.
Didn't react.
But inside—
Something moved.
Not fear.
Something colder.
Awareness.
"They were last seen heading in your direction," the officer continued. "Witnesses say there was a fight earlier in the day."
Still nothing.
No denial.
No panic.
Just stillness.
"…did you see anything unusual?" the officer asked.
Aren met his gaze.
For a brief moment—
The room felt heavier.
"…no."
The lie came smoothly.
Too smoothly.
And that—
Was what made it dangerous.
The officer leaned back slightly, narrowing his eyes.
He had seen many kinds of people.
The scared ones.
The angry ones.
The guilty ones.
But this—
This was different.
This boy wasn't reacting at all.
No hesitation.
No pressure.
Nothing.
"…you don't seem worried," he said.
Aren tilted his head slightly.
"…should I be?"
The officer didn't answer.
Because for the first time—
He wasn't sure.
Outside the office—
Students waited.
Watching.
Whispering.
The moment Aren stepped out—
Silence spread like a ripple.
All eyes turned toward him.
But unlike before—
This time, no one spoke.
Because something had changed.
The rumors were no longer just rumors.
They were becoming…
Possibilities.
"Yo."
A voice called out.
Aren stopped.
Slowly turning his head—
He saw him.
Raghav.
Leaning against the wall, arms crossed, eyes sharp.
But this time—
There was no arrogance.
Only tension.
"…walk with me," Raghav said.
It wasn't a request.
But it also wasn't a command.
Aren stared at him for a second—
Then walked.
They stopped at the back staircase.
Empty.
Quiet.
Hidden from everyone else.
Raghav spoke first.
"…those guys," he said, his voice low. "You were there, weren't you?"
Aren didn't answer.
Raghav exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair.
"I don't care what happened," he continued. "But people are talking. Police are involved now."
He stepped closer.
"…and somehow, your name keeps coming up."
Aren's expression didn't change.
"…so?"
That one word—
Calm.
Unbothered.
It hit harder than any reaction.
Raghav frowned.
"You don't get it, do you?" he said. "This isn't some small fight anymore. If you're involved—"
"I am."
Raghav froze.
"…what?"
Aren looked at him directly.
"I was there."
The truth.
Raw.
Unfiltered.
"But what happened…" Aren continued, his voice lowering slightly—
"…is not something you'll understand."
A chill ran down Raghav's spine.
Because for a moment—
It didn't sound like a threat.
It sounded like a fact.
Before he could respond—
A voice echoed from above.
"Yeah… he's right."
Both of them looked up instantly.
A figure stood at the top of the staircase.
Hands in pockets.
Casual.
Relaxed.
But something about him—
Felt wrong.
"Who the hell are you?" Raghav snapped.
The man ignored him.
His eyes were locked on Aren.
Sharp.
Interested.
Amused.
"…you adapted faster than I expected," he said.
Aren's gaze narrowed slightly.
"…you've been watching."
Not a question.
A statement.
The man smiled faintly.
"Of course," he replied. "When something like you appears… people notice."
Raghav stepped forward. "Oi, I asked you something—"
"Leave."
The word wasn't loud.
But it carried weight.
Raghav stiffened.
"…what?"
The man didn't even look at him.
"I said leave," he repeated, his tone unchanged.
For a moment—
Raghav hesitated.
And that hesitation…
Said everything.
Because deep down—
His instincts were screaming.
This man—
Was dangerous.
"…tch."
He clicked his tongue and stepped back.
"Fine. Do whatever the hell you want."
And just like that—
He left.
Silence returned.
Only Aren and the stranger remained.
The man slowly walked down the stairs.
Each step calm.
Measured.
Controlled.
Until he stood right in front of Aren.
"…so," he said, tilting his head slightly. "How does it feel?"
Aren didn't respond.
The man's smile widened just a little.
"…power," he clarified.
Aren's eyes met his.
Cold.
Steady.
"…incomplete."
The answer came instantly.
The man blinked—
Then laughed softly.
"Good," he said. "That means you're not stupid."
His gaze shifted briefly to Aren's hand.
To the mark.
And for a split second—
His expression changed.
Not fear.
But recognition.
"…so it's really that kind," he murmured.
Aren noticed.
"…you know what this is."
The man looked back at him.
And this time—
There was no amusement.
Only seriousness.
"…yeah," he said quietly.
A pause.
Then—
"…and that's exactly why you're in danger."
The air grew heavier.
Aren didn't move.
"…explain."
The man smirked again.
"Straight to the point. I like that."
He stepped closer—
Lowering his voice.
"Listen carefully," he said.
"Because from this moment on…"
His eyes sharpened.
"…you're no longer just a nobody."
A brief silence.
Then—
"You're a target."