Breaking The Code

Chapter One: The Shattered Calm

Aria Vasquez could feel the rhythm of the school's dull chatter as she drifted between clusters of students, blending in easily with her oversized hoodie pulled up, eyes low, moving just like anyone else in a hurry. No one knew who she really was. Here, she was invisible—no ranks, no evaluations, no Vanguard. Her fingers traced the outline of the USB drive tucked into her sleeve, her constant, silent comfort. This world didn't know her secrets.

Around her, Lucian Everhart wove through the crowd like he owned it, flashing his trademark grin at everyone who crossed his path. She shot him a look as he fell in step beside her, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"That look says 'stop being annoying,'" he whispered, nudging her.

Aria barely cracked a smile. She was cautious, always scanning their surroundings. It was second nature by now, an instinct embedded so deep she barely noticed herself doing it.

Lucian threw an arm around her shoulders with a casual ease that always seemed to unnerve her. "C'mon, live a little. We're safe here, aren't we?"

She gave him a wary look, only half-joking. "Safe-ish."

But any semblance of safety shattered in a split second. The blare of sirens pierced the air, followed by the heavy, authoritative stomp of police boots. Aria's heart lurched as officers streamed into the halls, each face stone-cold, all eyes scanning the crowd with predatory focus. And then, one by one, they turned in her direction.

The principal's voice cracked over the intercom, stammering something about "individuals of interest," but the words faded under the rush of adrenaline pounding in her ears. Lucian's hand tightened on her shoulder, his usual calm replaced by shock and confusion.

"Aria, what—"

"It's them," she hissed, scanning for the rest of her group in the panicked crowd. "Vanguard."

They moved quickly, silent as shadows, gathering their friends in a wordless understanding. The only question they each had was How did they find us?

Dante was the first to appear, his face as unreadable as ever, though Aria noticed the taut tension in his jaw. Behind him, Zane and Elara slipped through the chaos, their practiced composure making them look oddly at ease amid the bedlam.

Zane, always ready with a quip, leaned over. "Didn't think our first day on the run would be this flashy, huh?"

Aria clenched her fists. They'd been so careful. But Vanguard had ways of twisting reality, painting them as criminals, planting evidence. And now, as the police shouted for them to stay put, Aria realized it wasn't just Vanguard's influence at play—they were being framed.

As they scrambled for the nearest exit, a hand caught Aria's wrist. She spun, expecting an officer, only to find Lucian, his bright blue eyes steely with determination.

"You're not doing this without me," he said, his voice low but unyielding.

"Lucian, you don't understand—"

"Oh, I understand more than you think." His eyes softened, a rare vulnerability slipping through. "I get why you didn't tell me. But I'm not just letting you disappear."

The tension in the air eased as Aria hesitated, and the rest of the group exchanged glances. They knew the risks, but Lucian had been with them through so much already. Despite his easygoing demeanor, he was more perceptive than they'd given him credit for. And now, in the middle of the school courtyard, with the world closing in on them, he was offering the only support they could trust.

Dante gave a reluctant nod. "Fine. But stay close. This isn't going to be a game."

Zane rolled his eyes, chuckling despite the gravity of the moment. "Right, like he's going to back out now."

Together, they slipped into the maze of backstreets behind the school, Lucian close on their heels. They moved with the instinct of those trained to disappear, ducking into alleys and out of sight, their breaths hushed, hearts pounding as they wound through the outskirts of town. And just like that, the normal life they'd constructed crumbled.

(As always pls do tell me of any thing I can improve on.)