chapter 13: Horrible Morning

The Alpha House was jolted awake by loud screams and commotion echoing from outside. Rushing to their dorm windows, they saw a large crowd of students gathered at the entrance of the academy.

Without wasting time, they quickly got ready and hurried to the scene.

"What's happening?" Jhenny asked, her voice laced with concern.

"I don't know. I just heard them screaming earlier," Leslie replied, her brows furrowed.

Keisha, Celsy, and Winter pushed through the gathering crowd, moving closer to the source of the disturbance. Behind them followed Theodore, Micko, Harvie, and Rey Vien, their expressions tense with anticipation.

As the rest of the Alphas arrived, a wave of shock washed over them.

A murder.

The man who had delivered flowers the previous night now lay dead at the entrance of the academy—his lifeless body cruelly discarded into the fountain, turning the water into a ghastly shade of red.

Celsy hesitantly reached out, dipping her fingers into the crimson-stained water. The moment her skin made contact, a vision overwhelmed her senses.

A shadowy figure clothed in dark garments stood over the man. Their face remained concealed, shrouded in mystery. Celsy watched in horror as the man pleaded for his life, his voice trembling with fear. But his cries fell on deaf ears. Without hesitation, the cloaked figure ended his life in cold blood.

The gruesome sight sent a shiver down her spine, and her legs weakened beneath her. As she stumbled, Winter and Keisha quickly caught her, offering their support.

"Are you okay?" Winter asked, concern evident in her eyes.

"What did you see?" Keisha added, her tone urgent.

Celsy looked at them, her eyes brimming with unshed tears.

The rest of the Alphas exchanged glances, sensing the gravity of the situation. They refrained from asking further, understanding that whatever Celsy had witnessed was beyond words.

Amidst the murmuring crowd, Riyami noticed something near the fountain. She bent down and picked up a letter, its edges damp from the bloodied water. Unfolding it, she read the ominous words before handing it to Rey Vien.

Rey Vien took a deep breath and read it aloud, his voice firm yet uneasy:

"The Academy will fall, and so will the oracle who holds the prophecy. We will kill everyone who comes our way."

A heavy silence fell upon the Alphas. Each of them felt the weight of those words settling deep into their bones.

Who would commit such an inhumane act?

And what prophecy did they speak of?

Darkness loomed over Elitia Academy, and they were only beginning to unravel the horrors that awaited them.

---

Suddenly, the firm voice of a professor cut through the tense atmosphere.

"Enough! All of you, return to the academy and prepare for your classes. This matter will be handled by us," Professor Cedric Vaughn commanded.

Professor Valcroft stepped forward, motioning for the students to disperse. "There is no need for unnecessary panic. The academy will ensure your safety. Now, go."

Reluctantly, the students obeyed, their murmurs fading as they moved back inside. The Alphas, however, hesitated, exchanging uneasy glances before slowly retreating.

Professor Vaughn approached the fountain, his expression grim as he carefully lifted the lifeless body from the bloodstained water. Professor Valcroft led the way, his posture rigid as he guided Vaughn towards the academy's inner halls.

Just before leaving, Professor Vaughn's gaze landed on Kaesy. She stood frozen in place, her face pale, eyes wide with shock.

Without a word, he pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to her.

"Wipe your tears… you're crying," he said softly before turning away.

Kaesy blinked, her breath hitching. She hadn't realized she was crying. Slowly, she lifted a hand to her face and felt the dampness on her cheeks. Looking down, she noticed the handkerchief bore Professor Vaughn's initials.

Her fingers trembled as she pressed the fabric against her skin. Something stirred deep within her an unfamiliar feeling, one she couldn't quite name. But as she wiped away her tears, a spark ignited within her… for the professor.

The Alphas walked back to their dorm in silence, their faces still pale with shock. Countless questions raced through their minds, yet no answers surfaced.

Taking the path through the Alphas' Garden, they moved in an eerie quiet, the weight of the incident pressing down on them.

Ella walked silently among them when something caught his eye a familiar red flower. His breath hitched. It was the same type of flower that had been in the basket sent to Velia the night before.

But everyone knew… the Alphas' Garden contained unique flora, flowers not found in the Omega or Beta gardens. This particular flower could only grow here.

A dreadful realization dawned on her. Her grip tightened, and her heartbeat quickened.

The traitor was among them.