Two figures stood in the shadowy backyard of the school, hidden behind a tree where no one could see them. The sun was setting, casting long shadows across the quiet grounds.
"You never told me how the meeting with the director went," the first person said. It was Maxen, one of Zayden's closest friends.
"Well, someone led a group of students out of the school grounds into Bellum, and Elion told the director it was me," Zayden replied, his voice calm but annoyed.
"Wait, seriously? Into Bellum? That's dangerous," Maxen said, his eyes widening. "What did the director do about it?"
"I told her I had no idea what she was talking about and accused Elion instead. I'm sure it was him, he loves causing trouble and doesn't care about the consequences. We almost got into a fight right there in her office, but I held back. She said she wouldn't punish either of us since the students made it back safely," Zayden explained.
"But why would anyone lead students there? Even if Bellum seems safe now, it's still risky," Maxen said, shaking his head.
"I don't know. If it's not Elion and I'm sure it is, then it's someone else. Something's going on," Zayden said, his tone serious.
"I agree," Maxen said, both of them falling silent as they thought about the situation.
Bellum, the area outside Nightshade University, was a place shrouded in mystery and danger. Its name came from the Latin word for "war," and it was believed to have been a battlefield long before the school was built. The ground was said to be filled with skeletons, and though it seemed safe now, no one dared to venture there without a good reason. The school's walls and security kept the students safe, but Bellum was a reminder of the darkness that lay beyond.
"Do the other Arkeins know about this?" Maxen asked.
"No, not yet. Mrs. Della is investigating quietly. She doesn't want to involve the other Arkeins unless necessary. So far, it's just you, me, Elion, Mrs. Della, and maybe Professor Cassiodor who know," Zayden replied.
"Okay. So, do you think she's going to come?" Maxen asked, changing the subject.
"That's up to her. If she wants her phone back, she'll show up," Zayden said, shrugging. He didn't seem too concerned.
Just then, they saw a figure walking into the backyard. It was Endora, clutching her jacket tightly against the cold.
"That's her, isn't it? How did you know it was her?" Maxen asked, smirking.
"Yeah," Zayden replied, pulling out her phone from his pocket. He pressed the power button, and the screen lit up with Endora's picture.
"Oh, isn't this the girl who got into a fight with Elion earlier? The one who sprayed him with pepper spray?" Maxen asked, laughing.
"That's her. Trouble seems to follow her everywhere," Zayden said, a mischievous smile playing on his lips.
"What are you going to do to her?" Maxen asked.
"Nothing too serious. It wasn't her fault, but she's not off the hook. I think a little show would be fun," Zayden said, his eyes gleaming.
Endora stood in the backyard, shivering as she looked around. The place was strangely quiet, with tall and short trees surrounding her. She felt a wave of fear. "Maybe I should just forget about the phone," she thought, clutching her jacket tighter. But before she could turn back, a piece of paper fluttered to her feet. She picked it up and read the note: "If you want your phone back, climb the tree in front of you. I might consider returning it."
Endora groaned in frustration. "Really? Climb a tree? Why me?" she muttered to herself. She looked at the tree. It wasn't the tallest, but to her, it might as well have been a mountain. Still, she couldn't risk losing her phone forever. "Why am I so careless?" she thought, stepping closer to the tree.
From their hiding spot, Zayden and Maxen watched as Endora hesitated, then started climbing.
"Dude, she's actually doing it," Maxen said, his eyes wide. "How does she even know how to climb a tree? She's tougher than she looks."
Zayden smirked. "The problem isn't climbing up. It's getting back down."
They watched as Endora struggled but kept climbing, finally reaching the top. She clung to the branches, looking down nervously. Then, without warning, she let out a loud scream.
"Dude, she's going to attract the whole school," Maxen said, trying not to laugh.
"Exactly what I want," Zayden replied, his smile widening.
Soon, students started flooding into the backyard, drawn by Endora's screams. They stared up at her in shock, but no one moved to help.
"How did she even get up there?" one student asked.
"Someone help her!" another shouted.
"I've never climbed a tree in my life," someone else said, and the comments kept coming.
Endora looked down at the crowd, her heart racing. She wished she could disappear. "Someone help me!" she screamed, her voice shaking.
Just then, one of the branches beneath her snapped. The crowd gasped as Endora struggled to hold on, grabbing another branch and scrambling to find footing.
"This is getting serious," Maxen said, his amusement fading.
Zayden nodded, and the two of them slipped into the crowd unnoticed.
A student ran off and returned with a professor and the director, Mrs. Della. They pushed through the crowd and stood at the base of the tree, shining a flashlight up at Endora.
"Endora! What in the world are you doing up there? Get down now!" Mrs. Della shouted, her voice sharp.
"I can't! It's too scary!" Endora shouted, clinging to the tree.
"Someone get a ladder!" the professor ordered. A ladder was brought and placed against the tree.
"Endora, use the ladder and come down," Mrs. Della said, but Endora shook her head, too terrified to move.
"Looks like you're going to sleep up there," Mrs. Della said, exasperated.
"I'll help," Zayden said, stepping forward.
"Thank goodness you're here," Mrs. Della said, relieved.
Another ladder was brought, and Zayden climbed up to where Endora was perched. When she heard his voice, she opened her eyes and froze. The person she was supposed to avoid at all costs was right in front of her.
"You have to come down," Zayden said, his tone calm and gentle. Endora stared at him, her heart pounding. She had no choice but to trust him, at least for now.
"I can't," Endora said, her voice shaking as she clung to the tree.
"The height isn't that bad. Let's do this together. Give me your hand," Zayden said, his tone calm. Endora hesitated, then reluctantly reached out and placed her hand in his.
"I won't let you go. Now, put your foot on the ladder. Don't worry, you won't fall," Zayden reassured her. Endora nodded, took a deep breath, and slowly lowered herself. With Zayden's help, she placed one foot on the ladder, then the other. Step by step, she climbed down, Zayden following close behind until they were both safely on the ground.
"Zayden! Zayden!" The crowd erupted in cheers, applauding him as if he were a hero. Zayden smirked, basking in the attention, while Endora kept her head low, her face burning with embarrassment. She felt dizzy and wished she could disappear.
"Thank you, Zayden," Mrs. Della said, giving him a nod before turning her sharp gaze to Endora.
"Everyone, back to your dorms! Now!" Professor Cassiodor shouted, his voice booming. The crowd scattered quickly, leaving only Endora, Mrs. Della, the professor, Maxen, and Zayden behind.
"You staged the whole thing and still came out looking like the hero," Maxen whispered to Zayden, tapping him on the back. They both chuckled quietly.
"Zayden, Maxen, you two can go now," Professor Cassiodor said, dismissing them.
"Of course, Professor," Zayden said, shooting Endora a quick glance before he and Maxen walked away.
Endora stood there, feeling small under the stern gazes of Mrs. Della and the professor. She recognized Professor Cassiodor as the same lecturer who had interrupted her earlier confrontation with Elion.
"Come with me," Mrs. Della hissed, her tone sharp. Endora followed them to the director's office, where she stood nervously while Mrs. Della and the professor sat, their eyes locked on her like hawks.
"What were you doing in the backyard, let alone climbing a tree?" Professor Cassiodor demanded. He was a middle-aged man with sharp features and a few streaks of gray in his beard.
"Someone took my phone and left a note telling me to climb the tree if I wanted it back," Endora explained, her voice shaky.
"Do you really expect us to believe that? You seem to enjoy being the center of attention," the professor said, his tone skeptical.
"I'm telling the truth! I couldn't find my phone in my room, and then I got a note saying to go to the backyard at 7:00. When I got there, I found another note telling me to climb the tree," Endora said, hoping they would believe her.
"I don't buy it," Mrs. Della said flatly, crossing her arms.
"Let's check her dorm. If the phone isn't there, maybe we'll consider part of your story," Professor Cassiodor said. Endora sighed, knowing there was no point arguing.
They left the administrative building, and as they walked, Endora noticed the night guards. Their uniforms were different from the day guards, black and protective, with a logo featuring an "AK" symbol. Endora had always been observant, but now wasn't the time to dwell on details.
When they reached her dorm, Endora unlocked the door and turned on the light. Mrs. Della and the professor stepped inside, scanning the room.
"Whose phone is this?" Professor Cassiodor asked, picking up a phone from her bed. Endora gasped, it was hers.
"Sir, I swear it wasn't there earlier!" Endora said, her voice desperate.
Professor Cassiodor pressed the power button, and the screen lit up with Endora's face. "It's definitely yours," he said, his tone cold.
"We'll decide your punishment tomorrow. Goodnight," Mrs. Della said, cutting off any further explanation. She and the professor walked out, leaving Endora standing there, her heart sinking.
"I'm done for," Endora muttered, collapsing onto her bed. She stared at the ceiling, wondering how her first day had spiraled so out of control.