THE HEROS OF GODOLKIN | GEN V AND THE BOYS FIC |

3.

Claire sprinted through the darkened hallways of Godolkin University, her breath coming in ragged gasps, her clothes and hands drenched in blood. The night had cast long shadows over the campus, but it did little to mask the chaos erupting around her. The campus buzzed with students pouring out of their dorms, trying to piece together the nightmarish events. Every step Claire took was met with a barrage of concerned whispers and probing questions.

"What happened?" one student asked, their voice tinged with fear.

"Whose blood is that?" another chimed in, their gaze fixed on the crimson stains covering Claire's gloves and shirt.

But Claire didn't stop, didn't answer. She moved as if in a trance, the horrific events replaying in her mind on an endless loop. By the time she reached her dorm, her legs felt like they were made of lead, each step heavier than the last.

Inside, the soft glow of a bedside lamp illuminated Cate, who had been lying in bed with a book. She looked up as the door creaked open, her initial smile of welcome fading into a frown of concern as she took in Claire's appearance. The blood, the blank expression-it was all wrong. Cate quickly sat up, her voice tinged with worry. "Claire, what happened?"

Claire's eyes were unfocused as she stared down at her blood-soaked gloves. "Luke... he killed Brink... and then himself," she mumbled, the words almost getting stuck in her throat.

Cate's breath hitched, and she quickly swung her legs over the side of the bed, rushing to Claire's side. Without hesitation, she grabbed Claire's hand, her grip firm but comforting. "Show me," she said, her voice soft but urgent.

Claire nodded, still dazed, and led Cate back out into the dimly lit corridors. It was the dead of night, but the school was anything but quiet. A crowd had gathered near the scene, but security guards were keeping everyone at bay. The air was thick with the smell of bleach and the remnants of blood, the janitors working hastily to clean up the horrific aftermath.

As they reached the spot where it all happened, Cate's eyes fell on the bloodstained floor, and her knees buckled beneath her. She collapsed to the ground, her hands trembling as she covered her mouth, tears spilling down her cheeks. The sight of it, the finality of it all, was too much to bear. She began to sob, the sound raw and full of pain.

Andre, who had been standing nearby, immediately rushed to her side, wrapping an arm around her in a protective embrace. His own face was pale, his eyes reflecting the shock of losing a friend in such a brutal way.

Claire stood back, her chest tightening with guilt and sorrow as she watched Cate break down. The weight of the moment pressed heavily on her, but before she could fully process it, she noticed Marie approaching. Marie's face was streaked with tears, her expression a mixture of disbelief and grief.

Claire took a tentative step toward her, lowering herself to Marie's eye level. "Are you okay?" she asked softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Marie looked at Claire, her eyes red and swollen, but instead of answering, she quickly turned away, tears still streaming down her face. She walked off without a word, leaving Claire kneeling on the cold floor, feeling more alone than ever. Claire sighed, the sound filled with a deep sense of helplessness, as the weight of the night's events settled heavily on her shoulders.

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The next morning was unbearably somber, with the weight of Luke's death hanging heavy over the campus. The once vibrant energy of Godolkin University had been replaced with a quiet tension, as everyone knew that a new order was being established-a new golden boy had to emerge. Rankings were being recalculated, and the air was thick with anticipation and dread.