The Forgotten Ritual: "Cursed Academy"

Chapter 1: The Ritual Gone Wrong

In the heart of BrightBurn, the sun cast a golden glow over the quaint, cobblestone streets and the meticulously maintained gardens that lined every pathway. The town, nestled between rolling hills and a shimmering lake, seemed almost too idyllic to be real. Every house, with its picket fence and blooming flower beds, looked like a page from a fairy tale. The townsfolk, cheerful and content, went about their day with smiles and friendly greetings, creating an atmosphere of communal joy and harmony.

But beneath the surface of this picturesque town lay a history that belied its serene exterior. Unknown deaths and inexplicable disappearances had cast a shadow over BrightBurn, whispering through the leaves of the ancient oak trees and murmuring in the quiet of the night. Despite the beauty and tranquillity, there was an unease that lurked in the back of everyone's mind, an unspoken acknowledgment of the town's darker past.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

The ear-piercing sound of an alarm clock jolted Yuki awake, filling her with a sense of dread. Today was the final night at Ebonvale Academy, a milestone she had been dreading because it meant moving on.

Groggy and reluctant, she dragged herself out of bed and shuffled to the door. As she opened it, a splash of cold water hit her face, jolting her fully awake. Yuki staggered back, wiping her face, and saw Nisbet darting down the stairs. "You're dead meat," she growled, chasing after him.

Nisbet ducked a barrage of pots and pans as Yuki hurled them at him, determined to avoid a beating. Just then, Yuki's watch beeped, reminding her it was time to get ready for school. "Oh no, I'm going to be late," she exclaimed, sprinting back upstairs, leaving a trail of dust in her wake.

"Idiot," Nisbet muttered under his breath, smirking as he sipped his coffee. He knew he had rigged Yuki's watch, and they still had twenty minutes before they actually had to leave.

Yuki sprinted into her room, clothes flying everywhere as she hurriedly put on her school uniform and got herself dolled up for graduation. Meanwhile, downstairs, Nisbet struggled to put his tie on correctly. A knock at the door interrupted his efforts. "Come in," he called.

Yuki's two best friends, Amber and Weeb, marched in, already dressed and ready for school. Nisbet chuckled, setting down two cups of coffee for them to enjoy. They began sipping their drinks, and Amber strolled over to Nisbet. "Let me help you," she offered.

Amber expertly adjusted his tie, fixing it up neatly. She playfully tapped his face and said, "Now you look ready for graduation." She smiled warmly before walking back to finish her coffee.

Yuki rushed down the stairs and into the kitchen, her hair a mess, puzzled by the calm demeanor of her friends. "Uh, we're gonna be late for school," she said, both confused and surprised.

Weeb stifled a giggle. "We've got like fifteen minutes, plus we brought the car," she replied.

Yuki glanced at her watch, then glared at Nisbet. "I'm gonna murder you," she threatened, her eyes blazing with anger.

Nisbet just laughed. "You're mad, bruh," he joked, taking a bite out of a creampuff.

Yuki's face turned bright red, and she lunged at Nisbet, attacking him. They fought, creating a noisy commotion that, from Weeb and Amber's perspective, looked like a scene from an anime. Amber exchanged a look with Weeb. "Should we stop them?" she asked, taking a bite out of the creampuff she had caught when Yuki tackled Nisbet.

Weeb stretched her arms. "I'll do it," she declared, stepping in to separate Yuki and Nisbet. "Children, behave," she commanded, giving stern looks to both of them. Amber and Weeb then dragged Yuki and Nisbet to the car, and they set off toward Ebonvale Academy.