Kristen

We were rushed back to our respective dorm rooms after the horrific incident in the forest. Word spread like wildfire, and we soon discovered it was the body of the missing girl, someone from the same academic year as ours. A dreadful pall hung over the entire campus. The four of us sat in my dorm room, our bodies still shaking. Ava nervously rubbed her face as if she could still feel the drops of blood on her skin.

"The prophecy, is it really true?" Jane asked with a nervous gulp.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my voice. "What exactly does the prophecy say?"

Emily glanced at Ava and Jane before speaking. "It was an old legend passed down by the seniors. They said that every ten years, three girls from senior year would disappear. Two would be found dead, and the other... well, she would be taken."

"Taken?" I echoed, my voice barely above a whisper. "Taken where?"

"No one knows," Ava said, her voice trembling. "Some say to another realm, others believe it's a ritual sacrifice. But none of the girls were ever seen again."

Jane hugged herself tightly, her eyes wide with fear. "Do you remember that night during freshman year, when we first heard about it? We thought it was just a spooky story to scare the new students."

Emily nodded. "Yeah, but it's not just a story anymore. It's happening."

"But why us? Why now?" I asked, feeling a knot tighten in my stomach.

Ava spoke up, her voice shaky. "They say the prophecy is tied to a lunar cycle. Every decade, when the blood moon rises, the curse is activated. This year, it coincides with our senior year."

"Is there any way to stop it?" I asked, desperation creeping into my voice.

Jane shook her head slowly. "According to the legend, once the cycle begins, it can't be stopped."

"But this could be a coincidence. Someone could have actually murdered her in the name of the prophecy," I said, trying to rationalize the situation.

"Maybe," Emily conceded, "but according to my knowledge, it is true that it has happened every 10 years."

Ava nodded, her expression grim. "I did some research in the archives last year. Every decade, three girls from the senior class go missing. Two are found dead, and the other is never seen again."

"So, we're dealing with something that's been going on for decades? How has no one stopped it before?"

"Fear, maybe," Emily suggested. "Or disbelief. By the time anyone realizes what's happening, it's too late."

Soon, exhaustion took over, Jane and ava returned to thier dorm rooms, but sleep felt impossible. The horrific images and the reality of what had happened played on a loop in my mind. Restless and anxious, I decided to call my dad, hoping to find some comfort.

"Dad, I need to talk to you," I said as soon as he picked up. In an uncharacteristic burst of emotion, I told him everything about the forest incident, about the prophecy. It felt strange, pouring my heart out to him, considering I had never confided in my parents about anything before. But the desperation to escape this place and find some semblance of safety overshadowed my usual reticence.

"Kristen your safety isn't compromised," my dad declared sternly. "Don't find excuses to come back, Kristen. That's not happening."

"Dad, this is serious," I pleaded, feeling a wave of helplessness wash over me. "One of the students is dead."

"For all I know, it could be an animal attack," he replied, his annoyance evident.

"Yeah, right, and the animal was skilled enough to hang her on a tree branch," I shot back, feeling a sharp ache inside. They still didn't care about me.

All they cared about were elections, money, and the family name. I could go to hell for all they cared.

"Dad..." I choked out, trying to keep my composure.

"Enough. Don't overthink this. Murders happen everywhere, and this prophecy nonsense is just that, nonsense," he said, before abruptly disconnecting the call.

I stared at my phone, feeling a mixture of anger and despair. It was always the same disappointment, I was hoping for a different outcome, that this time he would actually care, only to be met with his usual indifference. Gripping my hair in frustration, my mind raced with anger and annoyance. This school had changed so much for me, and I feared how much worse it could get.

*****

Kristen

I needed to calm down. The image of the peaceful courtyard flashed in my mind. Professor Alexander's warning echoed faintly in my head, urging caution, but strangely, it also seemed to pull me towards that serene spot.

Glancing at the wall clock, I saw it was midnight. The sensible part of my mind urged me to sleep, but I ignored it. Carefully, quietly, I made my way to the courtyard.

I took a deep sigh once I finally reached there. The security was tight, which wasn't a surprise considering the recent murder incident. However, this part of the campus had no security, which struck me as strange. I scanned the area once again when I felt a presence behind me.

"You should really heed warnings. Not everyone likes to bluff," a voice said, dripping with sarcasm and authority.

My heart raced as I turned to face Professor Alexander. His gaze was piercing, his expression a blend of sternness and something deeper that I couldn't quite place.

"Professor Alexander," I muttered, my voice betraying both fear and a strange exhilaration.

"You seem to have a penchant for finding trouble," he continued, his tone cool yet intense. "Do you have any idea how dangerous it is to be out here alone at this hour?"

"I... I just needed some air," I managed, my words stumbling over the rush of adrenaline.

He stepped closer, the air thickening with tension. "Clearing your head, Kristen? Or searching for something else?"

I swallowed hard, meeting his gaze defiantly. "I don't know what you mean."

His lips curved into a faint, knowing smile. "Oh, I think you do."

The atmosphere hummed with tension. Despite my apprehension, there was an undeniable pull, a quiet allure in his presence. "Professor, I..." I began, unsure of what to say next.

"Go back to your dorm, Kristen," he interrupted, his voice laced with authority. "It's not safe here."

"I like it here," I said, meeting his gaze.

"And how is that supposed to change anything? The fact that you're breaking a rule, and the fact that you're doing it again and again, is that a challenge to me?" he responded sharply.

"Absolutely not. It's just... do you believe in rules, sir?" I asked, feeling a flicker of defiance.

He took a step back, creating a respectful distance between us. "Rules are often a means to an end, a way to impose order," he answered. "But what I believe in is what the situation demands, rather than blindly following regulations. And right now, the situation demands that you return to your dormitory."

"Yeah..." I murmured softly, barely audible. With a final glance at him, his expression inscrutable yet strangely captivating, I turned and quietly slipped away.

Navigating through the campus, I carefully skirted past the guards, their attention diverted by distant noises. The night air was cool against my skin as I made my way back to the dormitory.

Inside, I found Emily sleeping peacefully. I walked to the window, drawn to the tranquil scenery outside, the silhouette of mountains against the night sky, the dense forest, and the soft glow of the full moon. Taking in a deep breath, I let the serene atmosphere calm my racing thoughts before finally returning to bed and closing my eyes.

One of the most challenging tasks I find is maintaining a consistent chapter length, and sometimes I struggle with it. I prefer to keep the chapters short since very long chapters can make me lose interest. What do you prefer ?

What are your thoughts on this chapter? Please vote and comment if you enjoyed it. Don't be a silent reader-I need a little motivation to keep writing the story.

Not gonna lie, writing is tiring, but I'm loving it so far. The joy I feel every time I complete a chapter is really nice.

Anyway, have a good day, month, and year, lovelies. Bye for now!