Chapter 5 - Urgent Summons

The Maple High Hawks' victory celebration filled the air. Laughter and cheers echoed through the halls.

Aria, Liam, Maya, Kai, Chloe, and Anya gathered at the school's courtyard.

"Tonight was amazing!" Chloe exclaimed.

Kai grinned.

"Told you we'd crush it," Kai said.

Maya's phone buzzed, displaying an unknown number: "You know what you did. -J"

Her heart skipped a beat. The message sent a chill down her spine.

Maya's eyes widened.

"Guys, I need to go," Maya said hastily.

"Everything okay?" Liam asked.

Maya's voice dropped.

"I'll talk to you later," Maya replied.

Maya rushed away, urgency in every step.

Liam watched her leave, concern etched on his face.

"Something's wrong," Liam muttered.

Aria noticed Liam's expression.

"Liam, what's wrong?" Aria asked.

Liam hesitated.

"I don't know," Liam replied.

Later that evening, Maya arrived at Ethan's house, panic in her eyes.

Ethan opened the door, his face already tense.

"What's wrong, Maya?" Ethan asked.

Maya's eyes locked onto his.

"I got a message," Maya said.

Ethan's face paled.

"From Julian?" Ethan asked.

Maya nodded.

Ethan's eyes narrowed.

"We need Liam," Ethan said.

Ethan dialed Liam's number.

"Liam, it's Ethan. Come to my house. Now," Ethan urged.

Liam's voice was laced with concern.

"What's happening?" Liam asked.

Ethan hesitated.

"Just come," Ethan replied.

Liam arrived, his face etched with worry.

"What's going on?" Liam demanded.

Ethan's voice dropped to a whisper.

"Julian's back."

Liam's eyes widened.

"The girl from our past?" Liam asked.

Maya nodded.

Suddenly, Ethan's phone buzzed.

A message appeared: "I'm watching. -J"

The trio exchanged nervous glances.

"What does she want?" Liam asked.

Ethan's face contorted.

"We thought she was gone," Ethan said.

Maya's voice barely audible.

"But she's back."

Maya's gaze shifted, her voice laced with unease.

"That night...Ethan just pushed," Maya said.

Liam's expression changed. His brow furrowed, and his eyes darted away.

Liam's thoughts spiralled.

Memories he'd suppressed began to resurface.

Last year's birthday party.

The laughter.

The music.

The scream.

Liam's jaw clenched.

In his house.

In his bathtub.

A tragic accident.

A life lost.

The police ruled it an accident.

But Liam knew better.

He remembered the argument.

The silence.

The weight of their secret crushed Liam.

But the guilt consumed him.

The memory haunted him.

And now Julian was back.

Seeking revenge?

The lights flickered again.

A chill ran down Liam's spine.

"It's starting," Liam thought.

The past was catching up.

Liam's secrets would soon be exposed.

The darkness closes in.

Suddenly, Liam's phone buzzed.

An unknown number.

A message.

"You remember, don't you?"

Liam's heart sank.

Who was this?

How did they know?

Liam's eyes met Ethan's and Maya's.

Ethan's face mirrored Liam's fear.

They all knew.

The truth was coming.