Karan's POV:

I tread the familiar path through the school hallway, an invisible weight clung to my shoulders, casting a somber hue over the otherwise lively surroundings. The vibrant chatter around me seemed muffled, drowned out by the internal turmoil I carried.

If we are going to solve the madness of the world, we can start by respecting the human brain as an organic computer that works best with logic, emotion, creativity, and self-driven passion; though we have the capacity for random access memory, it is a poor way to educate and the reason our schools damage our innate genius capacities.

I wondered as the familiar click of my shoes against the linoleum echoed in the hallway. I sighed once again as I made my way to the mundane classroom.

Approaching my classroom door, the low hum of a conversation reached my ears. My bullies, Rahul and his cohort Kiran, were engaged in a hushed exchange.

"Dude, you should've seen the way they were confronted by Suresh sir," Kiran chuckled, the malicious glee evident in his voice.

My fists clenched involuntarily. They put us in trouble to make us look like bad guys.

'If you look more closely, you might as well be the impostor, Kan,' my mind hissed.

I don't believe it. I answered back.

'How else would you justify everyone turning against you, including your best friend Jay? He wants to get rid of you, of course. You thought you could be the hero, while you've always been the villain.'

I shook my head, trying to dispel the intrusive thoughts.

I wondered what Arav's true intentions were—if he didn't want to be with them, then why did he still follow them around?

"Ha, you bet! The flushed looks on their faces later on were all worth the show," Rahul added, relishing the moment.

"But, how did you execute it though?" Kiran asked curiously, eager for the juicy details.

I took a deep breath, my heartbeat quickening. I walked out of there and went to confront Jay about this. What else was he hiding?

'You think he'll tell you the truth? After all you've done is let him down?' My mind reminded me, making me feel sick in the stomach.

The hallway, once bustling with activity, now became a silent witness to the brewing storm of emotions within me.

"You can't be serious right now," Jay said.

Rows of cars stood in neat alignment, their metallic bodies glinting under the sunlight. The expansive lot, bordered by low shrubs and trees, buzzed with activity as students and faculty members navigated the maze of parking spaces.

The air carried a faint scent of exhaust mixed with the crispness of the surrounding greenery. The distant hum of engines and sporadic honks created a rhythmic backdrop, signaling the constant movement in and out of this vehicular hub.

Each parking space harbored its own story, marked by the varied models and colors of cars that occupied them. Sturdy SUVs, compact sedans, and the occasional vintage relic found their designated spots, reflecting the diverse preferences of the school community. Some vehicles bore personalized touches—bumper stickers, decals, or hanging trinkets—offering glimpses into the personalities of their owners.

The distant laughter and carefree banter of other students formed a distant echo, a stark reminder of the isolation Jay and I were experiencing. As our eyes met, a shared understanding passed between us, acknowledging the storm brewing beneath the surface.

"Why didn't you inform me, Jay?" I questioned, my brows furrowed in a mix of confusion and hurt.

Jay shifted uncomfortably, avoiding eye contact, his expression a blend of remorse and apprehension.

"I wanted to handle it alone, honestly." Jay responded after a moment of contemplation; his gaze was focused on a distant point, a mixture of determination and vulnerability in his eyes.

'See, there you have it! He wanted to get rid of you for a while because of how incompetent you are.' my mind said.

My frustration lingered, yet I sensed a layer of genuine concern beneath Jay's words. "But, why? We've been in this together for over a year now, Jay. A simple heads up, like 'I won't be coming because I want to search for something alone,' could've made a significant difference, man."

I sighed. The case was definitely getting on our nerves.

'You'll lose him if you keep going for his throat like that'

"I understand you're mad, Kan, and rightfully so." Jay said with a strain, hesitance, and anxiousness evident in his voice.

"I don't know whom to trust anymore, Jay," I confessed, running my hands through my rough curls. "Besides, I don't understand why you justified it as being a treasure hunt when we clearly never took those things from that place, unless you did." I narrowed my eyes at him, seeking answers and questioning his intentions.

"I did, actually." Jay answered, "But not for the reasons you might think it was for. I wanted to... search for resemblance between the symbols we found at the factory as well as the objects under the tree bench."

"Huh? What do you mean, Jay?" I asked, confusion furrowing my brow.

"What I mean is," Jay continued, his gaze steady on mine. "Kan, there's no link between the factory and the things we found in the compartment under the school bench. There were some symbols on the handcuffs. I wanted to check if it matched anything with that on the walls of that factory. I took the powder because I believed it would be easier to compare."

My arms uncrossed as I tried to process this new information. "That doesn't add up. That white powder clearly looked like drugs," I said, skeptically.

"It's actually used in police investigations all the time. I kept them both in my bag, locked away in zip-lock bags, but, the next we know, we were pulled over to Suresh sir's cabin regarding it." Jay clarified, a note of urgency in his voice.

I arched an eyebrow, absorbing the revelation.

The isolated school parking lot provided an eerie backdrop to our conversation, amplifying the weight of the information shared.

I couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions—relief, curiosity, and a lingering sense of concern about the complexities unraveling before us. The truth, it seemed, was far more intricate than our initial assumptions.

"I am sorry for doubting you, Jay," I confessed, biting my lips. "I know I should've trusted you over those people who wanted to make us look like bad guys. It was Rahul and Kiran who planned it together. But imagine the consequences. They discovered it in your bag; they're going to think they were right all along. That we were indeed a part of some underground cult."

Jay's brows furrowed, his eyes reflecting a mix of understanding and frustration. "Wait, hold up," he said. "Where is this underground cult you talk of? I knew there were rumors, but I didn't care to listen to them. People believed we were the people behind Arav's disappearance and criticized us openly about it too, but I don't believe there's some cult involved here."

I could see the wheels in his mind turning as he processed this information.

"It has always been there," I sighed. "Everyone believed we were a part of some cult, and them discovering those nefarious items on you only builds their suspicions stronger."

"If that's actually the case, then it could mean..." His voice trailed off into thoughts.

"There's actually an underground cult that we're yet unaware of." I finished it for him, the realization clicking in place for both of us.

The realization of the potential existence of an underground cult lingered in the air as Jay and I exchanged a silent understanding.

The shadows of suspicion cast upon us by the school only deepened, leaving us to grapple with the ominous possibility of a hidden network working against us.

The vibrant energy of the school day felt distant, replaced by a sense of foreboding. We needed answers, and we needed them fast.

"We can't let them manipulate the narrative," Jay finally spoke, breaking the heavy silence. His gaze was determined, and I could sense the resolve in his voice.

"Agreed," I replied, my own determination matching his. "But how do we uncover the truth? We need to be careful; we're dealing with something much bigger than ourselves."

"We start by finding out more about these rumors and the supposed underground cult. If they're using this against us, then there must be some truth to it. We need to turn the tables, Kan," Jay suggested, his eyes scanning the surroundings as if searching for clues.

I nodded, acknowledging the challenge before us. "But where do we even begin? We're navigating through a maze of secrets, and its borders remain unknown."

'Watch him outsmart you this time too.'

I was getting tired of my inner monologue at this point. Was there no way to shut it down?

'Not that you were worth it anyway.'

I hissed slightly before bringing my attention back to Jay.

Jay, his voice lowering, suggested, "Let's revisit the cabinet under the tree bench. It could be the key to unraveling this mystery."

"But that place is too risky to handle without proper tools or skills. We're not equipped for it," I pointed out.

Jay's expression hardened, determination gleaming in his eyes. "We find a way. We've conquered obstacles in the past, Kan. This is just another challenge, and we can't afford to back down."

The bell, signaling the start of the next class, echoed through the parking lot, jolting us back to the reality of our student lives.

With a shared nod, we committed to delving into the mystery that had intertwined our fates, setting the stage for a journey that would test the bonds of friendship and reveal the hidden depths of our seemingly ordinary school.

❛in the burning shadows,
look for the shining blaze.❜

A/N:

How did you like the chapter so far? Its a bit more descriptive than the previous ones cause I really pushed myself to it! YAY me!!

I really feel like I could bring more emotions, life and realism to this chapter even when not a lot was happening.

The inner monologue is back at it again, and what do you think about that description of school incapable of handing geniuses?

And what do you think of the connection between the factory and the school compartment? Could they have any connections at all, or it be all fabricated?

ding ding ding :P

also, just for fun, since i said this dialogue in a conversation, i went ahead to make it a quote/sticker sort of thing xD what do you think:

Feel free to comment your thoughts, suggestions or critiques!