Kristen

I examined myself in the mirror, the sleek black dress hugging every curve of my body. My long hair cascaded down in soft curls, framing my face. I opted for minimal makeup: a sultry smokey eye, a flawless hydrating base, and a warm pink lipstick that added just the right touch of color. A quick spritz of setting spray, and I was satisfied with my work.

Turning toward Ava, who was fumbling with her false lashes, I couldn't help but smile. "Let me do it," I offered, and she quickly nodded, relief flooding her expression.

"You're a lifesaver," she sighed, pouting slightly. "I love makeup so much, but the irony is, I'm terrible at it." I giggled softly as I carefully fixed her lashes, making sure they were perfectly aligned. With Ava sorted, I moved on to help Jane and Emily with their makeup.

Jane twirled in front of the mirror, her pink dress flowing gracefully around her. Her blonde hair was styled in an elegant bun, complementing her pale skin and giving her a timeless, princess-like aura.

"Finally, we're ready, and early, for once!" Emily exclaimed, adjusting the hem of her lavender short maxi dress. Her long, straight black hair shimmered under the lights as she moved.

As we filed into the campus auditorium, the air was electric with excitement. The entire senior class gathered, whispers and laughter bouncing off the walls. This was it, the moment we had all been waiting for. A woman, likely in her mid-forties and someone I presumed was a professor, made her way to the stage. Her presence instantly silenced the room.

"Are you all ready for the big event?" she asked, her voice calm but carrying a tone of something thrilling. "You'll each receive a set of clues. Follow them carefully, and you know where the final one will take you." A mischievous glint flashed in her eyes, which only heightened the buzz in the crowd.

"You have to play this solo and beware of the traps we set up for you," the host said, stepping off the stage with a flourish, like she was some kind of game show diva. Not exactly comforting. I glanced down at the set of clues they'd just handed us, wondering how bad these so-called "traps" were going to be. Meanwhile, Emily pulled me into one of her signature bone-crushing hugs.

"Good luck, baby!" she chirped, practically vibrating with excitement. I could barely breathe, let alone hug her back. Ava and Jane, on the other hand, were already buzzing with anticipation.

"You bitches better make it to the final call, or I swear, I'll claw your eyes out," Jane said, waving dramatically before strutting off like she was starring in her own action movie. Ava laughed and rolled her eyes, quickly following suit, leaving me standing there with the first clue in my hand.

I sighed, watching them disappear into the crowd. Solo challenge, huh? This was either going to be hilarious or a total disaster. Probably both.

The first clue was scribbled on a worn, yellowed piece of parchment, like someone had tried too hard to make it look vintage and mysterious. It read:

*"A king without a crown, yet his rule remains. A path beneath his feet leads to treasure untamed. Find him where the shadows stretch and stone whispers his name."*

Oh, of course. Riddles. Why was it always riddles? I glanced around, trying to piece it together in my head. A king without a crown... I was in a freaking school, not an ancient castle. But then again this academy was no less than an castle. I supposed "king" could be symbolic. Maybe a statue or some mascot thing?

I started walking, my eyes scanning the courtyard. The school had a few sculptures scattered around, mostly lame abstract art-but one, in particular, stood out: a massive bronze bust of the school's founder, Principal Eldridge. No crown, but definitely the biggest statue on campus.

"Alright, King Eldridge," I muttered under my breath, heading over. The closer I got, the more certain I felt. The thing was placed at just the right angle, so the late afternoon sun cast long shadows behind it. And the "path beneath his feet" part? Bingo-there was a narrow stone pathway leading around the back of the bust.

I followed the cobbled path, weaving behind the bronze king, and nearly missed the half-buried step tucked behind a cluster of ivy. Clever. Whoever designed this clearly had too much free time. At the end of the path, nestled in the stone wall, was an old, iron door, rusted at the hinges and barely visible through the overgrowth. Definitely not part of the school's original blueprint.

Stone whispers his name. I crouched down, pressing my hand to the cold brick, half-expecting it to feel like nothing. But there it was-a faint grinding noise from within the wall, like a hidden mechanism stirring to life.

"Okay, here goes nothing," I said, giving the door a push. It creaked open just enough for me to slip through.

On the other side, it wasn't treasure, but something just as valuable in a game like this: another clue. This one was taped to the inside of the door, along with a small key dangling from a piece of twine.

"Well, that was easier than I expected," I said to no one in particular, pocketing the key and stepping back onto the path.

******

Kristen

The second clue was a neatly folded piece of parchment, its edges crisp and smooth-much more refined than the last one. The writing was elegant, but still carried that familiar cryptic tone:

*"Where fire flickers but never burns, seek the warmth that never fades. The answer lies where light is earned, and shadows dance in ancient shades."*

I stared at the words, the answer clicking almost instantly. *Fire that doesn't burn.* It wasn't literal flames-it was the Academy's enchanted chandeliers. In the Great Hall, they flickered endlessly, casting light that illuminated the entire room but never generated heat. It was a signature of Blackwood's charm, a reminder of the old magic that pulsed through the academy.

I headed straight for the Hall. Unlike the other buildings at Blackwood, which were all glass and steel, the Hall was a blend of ancient stone and modern architecture. Arched ceilings loomed overhead, and there, hanging from the heights, were the chandeliers-golden and elegant, their lights shimmering like soft, eternal flames.

But the clue wasn't going to lead me to the center of the room. No, I had a feeling it was pointing me somewhere more hidden. I glanced toward the edges of the Hall, where shadows stretched just out of reach of the chandeliers' glow. Along the far wall was a series of old, ornate sconces that rarely drew attention, their shadows dancing gently against the stone.

That had to be it.

I approached the nearest sconce, running my fingers along its worn surface. Beneath it, hidden in a small alcove carved into the wall, was a small, silver box. I pulled it out carefully, opening the lid to reveal a simple silver key resting on a velvet cushion.

"Not bad," I murmured to myself, pocketing the key and glancing around to see if anyone had noticed. So far, so good and no traps. Yet.

As I worked on solving the third clue, which was scrawled on a piece of parchment in an ornate script, I felt a strange presence trailing behind me. The clue read:

*"Where time stands still and stories sleep, find the keeper of secrets deep. Beneath the ancient tales, you'll find your next step. Seek the place where the past is kept."*

I racked my brain for the answer. The Academy had a library that was more like a labyrinth of knowledge, with ancient books and scrolls. The clue seemed to point to something hidden among the archives. I headed to the library, my footsteps echoing in the grand, dimly lit halls.

As I entered, I noticed a guy who seemed to be just a few steps behind me. He had an air of casual interest, but he kept his distance, making no overt effort to interact. I tried to ignore him as I headed towards the history section, where old, dusty tomes were stacked high.

I pulled a volume from a shelf and started scanning it for anything unusual. The guy appeared in my peripheral vision, still lingering. I turned to him, trying to keep my tone neutral.

"Solo challenge," I said, raising an eyebrow. "You know, right?"

He nodded, a slight, apologetic smile on his face. "Yeah, I'm just admiring the books. Haven't seen some of these in years."

"Right," I said, turning back to the task at hand. I was still wary, but his presence was more distracting than threatening. I focused on the clue, searching through the shelves until I found a hidden compartment behind a loose row of books. Inside was a small, leather-bound journal, its cover embossed with an old sigil.

I pulled it out and was flipping through the pages when I felt him approach closer. "That's a nice find," he commented. "You must be quite clever to solve these so quickly."

"Thanks," I replied, trying to sound disinterested. "But remember, it's a solo challenge."

"I know," he said. "I'm not interfering. Just here for the... atmosphere."

As we continued through the library, his shadow seemed to hover just a bit too closely. I found myself feeling uneasy, but I pushed it aside. The clue led me to a quiet alcove where the library's oldest manuscripts were kept, and I could hear the faint rustle of pages as I approached.

"Hey, do you mind giving me some space?" I asked, my irritation rising. He looked surprised but nodded, stepping back with a slight smile.

I sighed in relief and went back to examining the alcove. But as I was about to reach the next clue, he suddenly reappeared, his demeanor changed. The smile had vanished, replaced by an intensity that made my skin crawl.

"You know," he said, stepping closer, "I've been watching you. You're quite fascinating."

I backed away instinctively, but he was already too close. His voice dropped to a hushed tone, filled with a disconcerting edge. "It's a shame to see someone so intriguing, alone."

Before I could react, he lunged at me, his hands gripping my arms forcefully. I struggled to break free, but he held his ground, pressing his body against mine. "Why don't we make this a bit more... interesting?"

I struggled harder, fear and anger mingling in my chest. "Get off me!" I shouted, trying to push him away with all my strength.

He gripped my hair, pulling me closer. "Stop shouting," he snarled. I felt my body going limp, tears welling in my eyes. Suddenly, he was torn away from me, and I crashed to the ground with the sudden force.

I looked up, disoriented and frightened, as the figure who had intervened pushed him down. My vision blurred, and everything around me seemed to darken, leaving only the echoes of my racing heart and the tension in the air.

I am so happy with how the story is progressing 😭
Vote and comment lovelies ❣️