Dark Moon: The Awakening Vol.1

Chapter 8: Beneath the Surface

The morning sun filtered through the curtains of Sooha's dorm room, casting warm light across the floor. Despite the new day, Sooha's mind was restless. The events of the previous night-her growing strength, the unsettling dreams, and the boys' secret meeting-had left her feeling uneasy.

As she prepared for the day, she tried to shake off her worries. But when she arrived at Decelis Academy, the boys' behavior was noticeably different. They seemed more guarded and distant, their interactions with her tinged with an undercurrent of secrecy.

In the cafeteria, Sooha sat with Heli, Jakah, Jaan, Shion, Jino, and Noa. The boys were unusually quiet, exchanging brief, sidelong glances. Sooha felt the shift immediately.

Heli, usually cheerful and engaging, now seemed reserved. He responded to her questions with short answers and distracted smiles. Jakah, often the calm and collected one, had a furrowed brow and seemed preoccupied.

"So, um, what's everyone up to today?" Sooha asked, trying to break the silence.

Jaan looked up briefly, but his gaze quickly returned to his food. "Just the usual. Got some studying to do."

Sooha sensed a hidden tension in the air. She glanced at Shion and Jino, who were whispering to each other. Their conversation stopped abruptly when they noticed her watching.

Noa, usually quiet and aloof, was even more so today. He seemed to be in his own world, barely acknowledging her presence.

Heli's phone buzzed, and he quickly checked it before slipping it back into his pocket. "Sorry, Sooha. I've got to run an errand. See you later?"

Sooha nodded, though her curiosity was piqued. "Sure, see you later."

As the day progressed, Sooha couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. During their classes, the boys were attentive but distant. It was as if they were preoccupied with something important but refused to share.

After classes, Sooha spotted Jakah and Noa in the library, huddled over a book that looked old and worn. Jakah's brow was furrowed, and Noa's eyes were focused intently on the text.

Sooha approached them, attempting to be casual. "Hey, what's that you're reading?"

Jakah looked up, his expression a mix of surprise and guardedness. "Oh, just some research material. Nothing important."

Noa gave a small, polite smile but didn't say anything.

Sooha sensed that they were hiding something, and her curiosity grew. She decided to follow them discreetly, keeping a safe distance. They moved through the library, eventually disappearing into a private study room.

Determined to understand what was going on, Sooha waited outside the door, her ear pressed against it. She could hear muffled voices but couldn't make out the words. The conversation sounded intense, filled with concern and urgency.

After a while, the door creaked open, and Jakah and Noa emerged, their expressions more relaxed but still serious. Sooha quickly stepped back, pretending to be engrossed in a book on a nearby shelf.

As Jakah and Noa left the library, Sooha followed them at a distance. They walked together towards a secluded part of the campus, and Sooha watched as they disappeared into a small, abandoned building.

Her heart raced with a mix of apprehension and determination. The boys' behavior and their secretive meeting were too suspicious to ignore. Sooha knew she had to find out more, even if it meant uncovering secrets she wasn't sure she was ready for.

That evening, Sooha returned to her dorm room, her mind racing with questions. She couldn't shake the feeling that the boys were hiding something important from her. Their behavior, their secrecy-everything seemed to point to a deeper mystery that she needed to understand.

As she sat at her desk, her eyes fell on the journal she had been reading. She picked it up, flipping through its pages. The words seemed to take on new meaning now, hinting at secrets that were intertwined with her own mysterious powers.

Sooha's thoughts were interrupted by a knock on her door. She opened it to find Heli standing there, his expression apologetic.

"Hey, Sooha. Sorry for being distant today," he said, his voice sincere. "Things have been... complicated. We should talk."

Sooha nodded, her heart pounding. "Sure, let's talk."

As they sat down together, Sooha's mind was a whirl of thoughts. The truth was just out of reach, but she was determined to uncover it, no matter what it took.