Dread fills everyone’s stomach as they look up to see a dark hole in the ceiling, from which hundreds of spiders begin to pour. The gym dissolves into chaos! Spectators and players scramble for the doors as the arachnid horde floods down the walls.

Andy whirls around, his heart pounding. The spiders are everywhere—swarming in grotesque masses, their hairy legs skittering and their bulbous bodies gleaming with a sickening sheen. He can feel the soft, spidery whisper of their movement even from a distance, and the air grows thick with the collective terror of the crowd.

"Korban!" Andy shouts, but his voice is lost in the pandemonium. Korban wobbles, then collapses onto the floor. Andy rushes to his side, grabbing him by the shoulder.

Korban’s eyes flutter open, and he gasps, "I... dun... not... good..."

His head lolls, and he goes limp in Andy’s arms. Panic surges through Andy as he looks around. The gym is almost empty now, a sea of scuttling spiders between him and the door. The air is thick with the sound of skittering legs and the echoing screams of those fleeing.

Andy’s mind races. He has to clear a path and get Korban out of there. But how?

Scanning the gym, his eyes lock onto a forgotten item on the bench: Drew’s lighter. Nearby, a can of hairspray sticks out of a cheerleader’s abandoned gym bag. Hope sparks in Andy’s chest.

He bolts toward the bench, dodging the spiders that are pouring in from every corner. His breath comes in short, frantic gasps. He snatches up the lighter and the can of hairspray, his hands trembling.

Popping the top off the hairspray, Andy flicked open the lighter and struck a tiny orange flame. His hands were shaking, but his resolve was steel. He aimed into the thick of the spiders and sprayed a plume of blue-orange fire.

Unnatural hissing filled the air as the spiders burned, their legs curling in the heat. To his left, another spider launched itself off the wall, aiming for Andy's face. He swung the improvised flamethrower around, catching the spider in mid-air. It thumped to the floor, its legs twitching as it burned.

"Too slow, spider bro," Andy muttered with a grim smile.

The tide of spiders began to turn, fleeing from Andy's fiery wrath. Only a few remained, advancing on him with fangs bared, their eyes glinting with malevolence.

"You want some too? Happy to oblige," Andy said through gritted teeth.

He shot another plume of fire at the spiders, but one dodged with unnatural speed, scuttling forward and crawling onto his shoe. Reflexively, he jerked his foot, launching the spider into the air. It landed on its back with a heavy thump, and he finished it off with a burst of flame.

Breathing heavily, Andy lowered his weapon. Around him, the remaining spiders retreated out the doors and windows, leaving only charred corpses in their wake. The gym, once a place of energy and noise, was now eerily silent except for the crackling of small fires and the smell of burnt exoskeletons.

Stooping, Andy slung Korban over his shoulder in a fireman’s carry. Korban was heavier than he looked, but adrenaline surged through Andy, giving him the strength he needed. He made his way to the door, each step feeling like a victory against the nightmare that had just unfolded.

Pushing through the doors, Andy carried Korban out of the gym and into the cold night air. The contrast between the chaotic heat inside and the serene chill outside was stark. Andy’s breath came out in visible puffs as he laid Korban gently on the ground, checking his friend's pulse. It was weak, but steady.

“Hang in there, buddy,” Andy whispered, relief washing over him. He glanced back at the gym, its windows glowing faintly from the fires inside, and then down at Korban. The night was still, but Andy knew that the echoes of what had happened would stay with them for a long time.

_________________________________________

Outside, Alex found himself caught in the middle of a panicked mob trying to escape the gym. His eyes darted around frantically, hoping to find Leo, Noah—anyone familiar. The air was thick with fear and confusion, and it was difficult to see through the mass of bodies.

"Alex, over here!" a voice called out, cutting through the chaos. He turned to see Kimmy waving him over.

He shoved his way through the crowd, pushing past terrified students, and hurried to where Kimmy, Levin, and Andy were huddled around the unconscious Korban. The sight made his heart sink. Korban's skin was pale, and his body lay limp on the cold ground.

Alex’s eyes widened in horror. "What happened to him?" he asked.

"Looks like he got bit a few times," Levin said grimly.

"Leo is still calling an ambulance."

A wave of guilt washed over Alex, and he struggled to find his voice.

"Andy, I am so sorry. This is all my fault."

Andy looked at him, confused.

"No, Alex. Why say that? This has to be Dylan’s fault. It’s his doing."

Alex swallowed hard, the memory of his earlier confrontation with Dylan flooding back.

"It’s because... earlier... I told him to stop giving us... gifts... I... made... him... angry."

Levin raised an eyebrow. "Wait, who the hell is Dylan?"

Realizing he had said too much, Alex was about to explain when the noise from the crowd suddenly rose, and a familiar shout pierced the air.

"BACK OFF! I HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS! YOU FREAKS!"

Kimmy’s face paled as she looked toward the commotion. "Oh no, not again."

Alex followed her gaze and saw a group of students surrounding Ava, shoving her toward the edge of the crowd. Her defiant voice rang out, but it was clear she was overwhelmed.

"We have to stop this before someone gets hurt," Alex said urgently.

The group moved quickly through the chaos, their hearts pounding. As they neared, they saw Ava standing her ground, her eyes blazing with anger and fear. The students around her were shouting accusations, their faces twisted with a mix of fear and aggression.

"Ava!" Alex shouted, pushing his way to the front. "Leave her alone!"

"Guys, be careful," Maria warned, her voice trembling. "You heard what she did to Emma."

Ava's eyes narrowed, her face flushed with anger. "You idiots are about to see it firsthand."

She raised her hands, and Alex's heart lurched.

"AVA, STOP!" he shouted, his voice cracking with desperation.

She was about to take out her knife from her boot, but stopped as she heard Alex's voice, two students lunged at Ava, grabbing hold of her arms and dragging her toward the school. Panic surged through Alex. He couldn't let this get any worse.

He rushed forward, grabbing one student by the arm. With a quick, practiced jab, Alex hit the guy in the face, feeling the impact against his knuckles. The student staggered back, trying to punch Alex in return, but Alex easily blocked the clumsy attempt. The student dropped to the ground, groaning in pain.

Ava, her face a mask of fury, took advantage of the distraction. With one arm freed, she swung and slugged her other captor in the gut. The force of the blow doubled him over, and he crumpled to the ground, gasping for breath.

"You ever touch me again, you'd better be ready to lose some teeth," Ava snarled, her voice low and deadly.

Without another word, she turned and bolted, weaving through the scattering students. Alex watched her go, momentarily stunned by the intensity of the situation.

"Where is she going?" Kimmy asked.

Alex shook himself out of his stupor. "I don't know, but we can't let her go alone."

He and Kimmy took off after Ava, their feet pounding against the pavement. The night air was cool, but Alex felt a bead of sweat trickle down his forehead. He could hear Kimmy’s breath coming in quick bursts beside him.

Ava was fast, but Alex was determined. They raced through the school grounds, past darkened windows and empty hallways. The adrenaline coursing through Alex’s veins sharpened his focus, and he pushed himself to run faster.

They kept running, the night air cool and crisp against their skin, until they spotted Ava sitting on the road, her head resting on her knees. She looked small and defeated, a stark contrast to the fiery girl who had just fought off her attackers.

When they approached, Ava lifted her head, her eyes filled with a mixture of despair and anger.

Alex’s heart ached at the sight. "I'm really sorry, Ava."

Ava’s eyes blazed with sudden fury.

"You say that like you had something to do with it."

Kimmy stepped in, trying to diffuse the tension.

"Alex... what was it you said earlier about making Dylan mad?"

Alex’s face paled. "I didn't mean to! I just told him he had to stop hurting people for us!"

Kimmy’s eyes widened in shock.

"And you didn't think maybe you should warn us about that?"

"I tried to tell you before the game! You didn't want to hear it," Alex shot back.

Ava got to her feet, her glare icy.

"So let me get this straight. There's this super-powerful homicidal shadow monster who knows where we live and everything we do... and you thought it would be a good idea to piss him off?"

Alex threw his hands up in exasperation.

"What should I have done? He killed someone."

"Cool, so what's your plan for when I get impaled on a tree or Kimmy or—"

Ava suddenly stopped, clapping her hands over her mouth, her eyes wide with horror as she stared over Alex's shoulder.

Alex's heart seemed to stop in his chest. Slowly, he turned around to see Levin standing in the road behind him, his face a mask of disbelief and betrayal.

"What did you just say?" Levin demanded, his voice low and dangerous.

Alex felt his stomach drop. "Levin, this isn't what it sounds like."

Levin's eyes narrowed, his voice rising.

"Really? Because it sounds like you... were involved with Mateo's death."

The weight of Levin's words hung in the air, and Alex felt a chill run down his spine.

"Levin, please, let me explain."

"Alex did not kill Mateo, if that's what you are implying," Kimmy said firmly, stepping between Alex and Levin.

Levin's face twisted in frustration.

"Then what the hell is going on?"

Alex took a deep breath, his mind racing. "It's complicated, Levin. And it's not safe for you to get involved."

Levin's anger flared. "Did Korban know about all this? Because he seemed real safe when they loaded him into the ambulance just now. Look, Alex, I knew there was something going on with you guys. I figured it was just personal stuff. Not my business. But now I hear you talking about a 'shadow monster' who's killing people and some guy named Dylan. If you know something about a murder, you can't just hide it! How long were you planning to keep this a secret?"

"Levin, just let me explain," Alex pleaded.

Levin held up his hands to stop him.

"Whatever this is, Alex, I don't want to be part of it, and I don't want you dragging my cousin into it, either."

Kimmy’s face flushed with anger.

"Hey! I didn’t get 'dragged into' anything! I am just as responsible as Alex. I’m not a baby, Levin. I don’t need you to come and save me. I can solve my own problems."

Levin took a step back, his eyes searching Kimmy's face. For a moment, his expression softened, but then he scowled.

"Guess I’ll get out of your face then."

Without another word, he turned his back to them and walked down the dark road, his silhouette fading into the night until he vanished from sight.

"Fine... good riddance," Alex muttered, sinking to his knees. He felt a crushing weight of exhaustion and hopelessness.

"I just can’t do anything right, can I?"

He covered his face with his hands, trying to hold back tears. The night's events had pushed him to the brink. But then, he felt two sets of arms wrap around him.

"I am... I am sorry, Alex," Ava said softly, her voice breaking.

"Me too," Kimmy added.

"For yelling at you. And... and for not helping when I should have. Noah was right all along. This was only going to get worse until we find a way to stop it."

"But what if we can’t?" Alex asked.

"What if you were right? And this is just too big for us?"

Ava sighed, letting go and pulling Alex and Kimmy to their feet.

"I believe in us, Alex. We are going to figure this out, and we are going to make it right. Because we’re in this together, and because of friendship, I guess?"

A small, tentative smile crept onto Alex’s face. He felt a flicker of hope as Ava and Kimmy each took one of his arms. The three of them stood there for a moment, drawing strength from each other.

With renewed determination, they started walking down the road, side by side. The night was still dark, and the path ahead uncertain, but they knew they wouldn’t face it alone. They had each other, and that was enough to keep going.