A Nightmare In An Island

CHAPTER 1

Kiara’s eyes fluttered open as the alarm clock buzzed insistently on her nightstand. She reached over, turning it off with a groan. 6:00 AM. Another day, another lecture. But today was different. The campus had been talking non-stop about important visitors arriving, and every student was supposed to be on their best behavior.

Dragging herself out of bed, she stretched, glancing at the mirror. She went for her usual look—effortlessly simple, but put-together. She pulled on a fitted white t-shirt, tucked it into high-waisted jeans that hugged her figure, and slipped on her black sneakers. She threw a light denim jacket over it, just in case it got cold. Her makeup was minimal—a touch of mascara and some lip balm. She ran a brush through her long straight hair, letting it fall naturally around her shoulders. Satisfied, she grabbed her helmet and her worn backpack, then headed out.

Skipping breakfast, as always, she locked the door behind her and made her way to her motorcycle. She’d saved up for it during her shifts at the fast-food coffee shop. It was her pride and joy, a reminder of her independence. She mounted the bike, revving it up and feeling the familiar hum beneath her. Moments later, she was weaving through the morning traffic, the university campus growing larger on the horizon.

When she parked and stepped onto campus, the place was bustling. Security guards patrolled the pathways, and the administration building was practically swarming with faculty and students preparing for the visitors.

---

By lunchtime, she was starving. She made her way to the cafeteria, knowing her friends would probably already be there. She spotted them at their usual table, tucked away in the corner. Ara waved her over, a grin on her face.

"Kiara! Over here!"

Kiara slid into the seat across from Brittany and Lexie, her two closest friends. They were few but loyal, and she liked it that way.

"Hey, you made it!" Lexie smiled, sliding her a bottle of soda. "I thought you'd skip lunch again."

"Not today," Kiara said, taking a sip. "Campus feels different with all the security. What’s the big deal with these visitors, anyway?"

Lexie rolled her eyes. "Probably just a bunch of rich alumni. They’ll be here to show off, make a speech, then leave like they saved the world."

Brittany laughed. "You’re probably right. But did you hear about the rumors? Some people think it’s government officials or something…"

Kiara raised an eyebrow. "Government? Here? Seems unlikely."

"Right?" Lexie leaned in, lowering her voice. "Apparently, they’re here to 'assess security measures.' Doesn’t that sound weird to you?"

Brittany nodded, clearly intrigued. "Yeah, and they’ve even brought their own team of bodyguards. I don’t know, something feels off about it. They’re making this such a big deal."

Kiara shrugged, trying to play it cool, though a sense of unease crept in. "Well, whatever it is, it’s not like it’ll affect us. They’ll come and go, and we’ll still be stuck here, studying for exams."

Brittany smirked. "Always the realist, huh? But come on, maybe it’ll shake things up. Campus life has been way too dull lately."

They ate in silence for a few minutes before Brittany  spoke up again. "By the way, Kiara, have you thought about spring break? Lexie and I were talking about a beach trip."

Kiara’s heart skipped a beat at the mention of the beach. Her mind flashed back to her parents, to that awful day. The ocean hadn’t felt the same since.

"I… I’m not sure," she replied softly, looking down at her plate. "You know I’m not really a beach person."

Lexie gave her a sympathetic smile. "No worries. We’ll figure something out that’s fun for all of us."

Kiara nodded, grateful they didn’t push the topic. These two knew her better than anyone else, and they understood when to let things be.

---

As they finished their lunch, the cafeteria began to buzz with whispers and shifting glances. Kiara noticed a group of men in suits enter, scanning the crowd. Their expressions were serious, almost grim, as if they were on some covert mission. She exchanged a look with Brittany and Lexie.

"See what I mean?" Lexie whispered, nudging her. "There’s something strange going on."

Brittany chuckled nervously, trying to lighten the mood. "Maybe they’re secret agents here to recruit us."

Kiara smirked, though she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was indeed off. "Sure, because we’re all about to become spies."

They all laughed, but Kiara’s gaze lingered on the men as they moved through the cafeteria. For a second, one of them looked her way, and their eyes met. It was a fleeting moment, but enough to send a chill down her spine.

As the group exited, she turned back to her friends, trying to brush it off. "Well, let’s just hope whatever they’re doing doesn’t turn into a big drama. I’ve got enough on my plate as it is."

Brittany raised her drink with a grin. "Here’s to surviving the semester without any more weirdness."

Kiara clinked her water bottle against Brittany's cup, forcing a smile. But deep down, something told her that campus life was about to change—and she wasn’t sure if it was for better or worse.