OLD FRIENDS, NEW THREATS
Alex
Relax, the Dean already knows you are here
Alex
The higher ups are always watching
And it's true, they always were
I announced, arms stretched wide like I owned the damn campus
Alex
Welcome to Dresden Heights University. Home of overachievers, trust fund disasters and teachers who will chew your GPA like bubble gum
You can tell a lot about someone by the way they walk into a new place. Maya? She walked in looking as lost as a cat in a dog shelter
Though I could also tell that she had somewhat solved this place. Like behind every wall was a secret she was just waiting for the right moment to crack open
Feeling the girls uneasiness I had to do something to lift their spirits
Alex
C'mon, I'll give you guys an unofficial tour around campus
Maya's replacement bestie, I think her name was Ari, didn't seem too excited about the idea
Ari
Uh no, don't you have class to attend or something?
Alex
Actually my class started 15 minutes ago. Now thanks to you two I have the perfect excuse to skip, 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯. This time with witnesses
Ari rolled her eyes while Maya laughed, and that smile? Yeah I missed that
Of course I wasn't going to show them the entire college, that's what the map is for, I did however go over some typical dos and don'ts, teachers to avoid, emergency exists just in case, some gossip and places that aren't filled with security cameras also just in case
Alex
And to conclude our tour I present you...
I said dramatically waving my hands towards a door labeled '𝘚𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘦'
Alex
Dead serious. This my friends is where I skip class in style
Alex
It's not hiding it's... A strategic withdrawal
Ari
Unlike you I have art class. I'm not getting marked absent on my first day. See you later Maya
And with that the replacement bestie was gone. Finally
Meanwhile Maya looked at me, then the door, then me again
I opened the door for both of us and the moment she stepped in her eyes went wide. The closet was small yeah, but cozy. Two bean bag chairs on the floor, a small screen mounted on the wall with a couple of game councils and snacks on a table
And the faint smell of rebellion
Maya
You turned this place into a cave
Alex
Had help. The janitor is cool, best brawlhalla player on campus
We sank into the bean bags and for a moment it felt easy, like middle school all over again
But then I looked at her, really looked. And the real reason I brought her here weighed on my chest
Alex
Maya, I didn't bring you here to show off my man cave
Alex
There's been some... Issues going on around campus, an unknown troll calling themselves 𝘝𝘪𝘳𝘶𝘴 and they've been really screwing up the place.
I paused to let the words sink in
Alex
I'm talking privacy invasions, sensitive information getting leaked, threats even dropouts
My eyes not leaving her as she paid close attention
Alex
Administration asked for my help last year given my knowledge on tech an all so it shouldn't be a problem. But I was very wrong they were always two steps ahead
Just admitting that made me frustrated
Alex
Now the higher ups are losing hope and are starting to suspect me of being Virus. It's only a matter of time before they give up completely and throw me in police custody
Alex
Oh they can. But at least now I have a secret weapon that will not only help clear my name but put a stop to Virus once and for all
Alex
There is nobody else fit for this job. You are brilliant, perceptive and I trust you completely
There was a silence that hung heavy in the air-longer than it should've
Maya
Alright I'll help you
Maya
Yes. Now let's catch a Virus!
Me and Ari were in our dorms after one hectic first day. Ari was already asleep, curled up in her blanket
The room was dim, lit only by the glow of my phone screen. I scrolled aimlessly, mind buzzing with everything-Alex, Virus, this entire place
Dresden Heights wasn't just a place for the elite, it had shadows in every corner
My phone vibrated once. No notification. No app open. Just a sudden flicker of white text on a black background
???: "𝘐 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘦 𝘔𝘢𝘺𝘢. 𝘞𝘢𝘭𝘬 𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘯𝘰𝘸. 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘢 𝘨𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘸𝘪𝘯."
The screen went dark, and it took me a few minutes before I could turn it back on
The message erased itself, leaving no trace, no sender, no record
And somehow... They were already watching
Comments
𝐑𝐞֟፝ؖ۬𝐬𝐡𝐮৻ꪆ
I Can't Be More Excited To Read Next Chapter, And Trust Me You Just Made It So Good🎀 I'm Really Looking Forward Bbg, Proud Of You 💗
2025-05-29
1
𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣~
should have made him bow 🥹👩🏻🦯why r u excited for it.
2025-06-01
1
𖹭︻デ═一
interesting interesting /Doge/I'm interested
2025-05-30
2