Chapter 9###

The bell rang, signaling the start of Andrea's first official class at Crockwell University. He sighed, adjusting the strap of his bag as he followed Lucas and Lyra down the hall. The two bickered the entire way, their voices a mix of irritation and amusement.

"You're seriously going to skip the first day, Luca?" Lyra scoffed.

Lucas smirked. "Of course. Why waste time listening to a lecture I can ace with my eyes closed?"

Andrea laughed. "I didn't expect you to be lazy."

Lucas draped an arm over Andrea's shoulder. "Not a slacker, my friend, just highly efficient."

Lyra rolled her eyes. "Idiots. Both of you."

Andrea merely smirked as they reached the administrative office. The place buzzed with students handling paperwork, meeting advisors, and scrambling to finalize their schedules. Behind the main desk sat Miss Sally McStone, a woman in her late thirties with sharp eyes and an air of strict professionalism.

"Ah, Andrea Rein," she said, barely glancing up as she shuffled some documents. "Your paperwork has been processed. Here's your class schedule and dorm assignment. Don't lose it."

Andrea took the papers, skimming through them. "Appreciate it."

Before they could leave, a familiar voice spoke up. "Late admission, huh? You must be something special."

Andrea turned to see a boy with dark blue hair and sharp green eyes leaning against the desk. He had an easy smirk on his face, exuding a confident aura.

"And you are?" Andrea asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Finn Ashford," the boy replied, holding out a hand. "Welcome to Crockwell."

Andrea shook his hand, noting the firm grip. "Andrea Rein. Nice to meet you."

Lucas nudged Andrea. "Oh, Finn here is one of the student council members. That means he's a glorified hall monitor."

Finn scoffed. "More like I make sure idiots like you don't burn the school down."

Lyra smirked. "He's got you there, Lucas."

Before Lucas could retort, Miss Sally cleared her throat. "If you're done, kindly stop blocking my desk. Some of us have work to do."

Andrea grinned. "Right. We'll get out of your hair."

With that, the group exited the office, Finn now tagging along.

"So, what's your deal?" Andrea asked as they walked. "Why student council?"

Finn shrugged. "Keeps things interesting. Plus, it's a good way to know everything around campus."

Lucas chuckled. "Translation: He likes knowing everyone's business."

Finn smirked. "Guilty as charged."

The moment they stepped into the lecture hall, Andrea felt the shift in atmosphere. Conversations quieted. Eyes followed him, analyzing, judging. He had never cared about attention, but this felt different. The weight of their stares pressed down on him heavily.

"Alright, everyone, please settle down," the professor said as he entered the room. He was a tall, thin man with silver-rimmed glasses, and his mere presence commanded silence. "Welcome to Advanced Physics. My name is Professor Hendricks. If you are in the wrong class, please leave now."

A few students hesitated, shifting uncomfortably before standing and hurrying toward the door. Andrea smirked at their retreating backs.

Hendricks adjusted his glasses and began writing on the board. "Before we begin, I want a quick demonstration. You." He pointed at Andrea.

Andrea raised an eyebrow. "Me?"

"Yes, you. Solve this problem."

Andrea stood, strolling up to the board. He barely glanced at the complex equation before picking up the chalk. The room held its breath as he quickly worked through the solution, his movements effortless. The moment he put the chalk down, Hendricks examined the answer and then nodded. "Correct."

A murmur of surprise spread through the classroom as Andrea shrugged casually and took his seat with assurance. Lyra smirked and commented, "Not bad at all."

Lucas whistled. "Damn, dude, you didn't even hesitate."

"It wasn't that hard," Andrea replied casually. However, deep inside, something about how he solved the problem so quickly unsettled him. It felt almost… unnatural.

The class proceeded smoothly, and soon the lecture concluded. Andrea stretched, feeling the stiffness in her shoulders. "That wasn't so bad," she said.

"Speak for yourself," Lucas groaned. "That was torture."

Lyra rolled her eyes. "You'd find breathing difficult if it required effort."

Later that evening, Andrea found himself driving toward the location of a student party. The event, hosted at a lavish villa on the outskirts of town, was already bustling when he arrived. Music pulsed through the night air as groups of students mingled outside, drinks in hand.

Andrea parked his car and walked to the entrance, greeted by Luca and Finn, who had already started the festivities.

"Finally! Took you long enough," Luca shouted over the music, handing Andrea a drink.

Andrea took a sip, scanning the crowd. "Where's Lyra?"

Finn smirked. "Somewhere inside, probably threatening someone for looking at her wrong."

Andrea chuckled but paused when a girl with dark, shining hair and piercing eyes approached him. She was stunning, her dress clinging to her in all the right ways.

Lucas after noticing Andrea's love-struck expression, teased, "Well, Finn and I will be busy with something, so go for it."

"Yeah, alright," Andrea said, not bothering to look at his friends as they walked away.

"Not enjoying the party?" she asked, tilting her head.

Andrea turned to her, smirking. "It's alright. Could be better."

She laughed, stepping closer. "I'm Jane. And you are?"

"Andrea."

"Nice to meet you, Andrea." Her voice had a teasing edge. "Want to find somewhere quieter to talk?"

Before Andrea could respond, a distant scream pierced the music.

His instincts flared. That wasn't a drunken yell—it was real.

"Did you hear that?" Andrea asked, turning toward the direction of the sound.

Jane frowned. "Hear what?"

Another scream rang out, this time closer.

Andrea did not hesitate. He pushed through the crowd, heading toward the source of the noise. He sprinted past groups of clueless partygoers and into the forested area surrounding the villa.

Breaking through the trees, he skidded to a stop at the sight before him.

A pool of blood. A body. And something inhuman lurking just beyond the shadows.

Andrea's breath caught in his throat. "What the hell…?"