𝙎𝙪𝙨𝙥𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙎𝙚𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙩𝙨

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟓

The first rays of morning light slipped through the curtains, casting a soft glow over the room. Filan stirred, feeling an unexpected warmth around him. As he slowly opened his eyes, he realized there was a hand wrapped snugly around his waist.

Turning his head, he found Giran beside him, still fast asleep, his face peaceful and relaxed. Giran’s arm was draped over him, holding him close as if, even in his sleep, he couldn’t let go.

Filan’s usual smirk softened for a moment, caught off guard by the sight. He hadn't expected Giran, of all people, to end up clinging to him. Carefully, he shifted, debating whether to wake him up or let him keep sleeping.

But Giran stirred just then, his eyes slowly opening, blinking in confusion as he realized what he was doing. His face turned red in an instant, and he quickly pulled his arm back, scrambling to sit up.

“Uh… I… I don’t know what happened,” Giran stammered, rubbing the back of his neck, avoiding Filan’s gaze.

Filan raised an eyebrow, leaning back against the headboard, clearly amused. “What’s this, Giran? Thought you didn’t trust me.”

Giran looked away, flustered. “I was asleep! It wasn’t on purpose.”

“Sure, sure,” Filan chuckled, his eyes glinting with mischief. “Guess even in your sleep, you can’t resist my charm.”

“You’re not my type!” Giran blurted out, desperately trying to regain control of the situation, his cheeks still flushed from waking up so close to Filan.

Filan’s eyes narrowed slightly, a playful glint appearing as he leaned in closer, closing the gap between them. “Oh? Then tell me,” he murmured, his voice low and teasing, “what’s your type, sweetie?”

Giran’s heart raced as Filan’s face hovered inches from his own. His mind scrambled, searching for a response that would make sense, but nothing came. Filan’s gaze was too intense, his smirk too knowing, and Giran’s own traitorous heart was beating far too fast.

“I—um…” Giran stammered, feeling the heat rise to his face again. “It’s… none of your business!”

Filan chuckled softly, clearly enjoying every second of Giran’s flustered state. “Alright, keep your secrets,” he said, pulling back with a smirk. “But I’m starting to think I might be closer to your type than you’re willing to admit.”

The next morning, the two of them headed to school together, the tension from the night before still lingering between them. Giran tried his best to ignore it, but Filan’s teasing smile kept popping into his mind. As they walked toward the school gates, the usual noise of chatter and laughter from the students suddenly fell silent. A chilling, unnerving stillness hung in the air.

Giran’s heart skipped a beat. Something was wrong.

They reached the school courtyard, and that's when they saw it — a large group of students gathered in a tight cluster, many of them crying or holding each other for support. Whispers flew like wildfire, and the sound of heavy sobs filled the air.

“What’s going on?” Giran asked, his voice tense, as he glanced around, trying to make sense of the scene.

Filan, ever calm, scanned the crowd before his eyes narrowed in suspicion. “I don’t know. But this doesn’t feel right.”

Dini, Wen, and Jay ran up to them, their faces pale, eyes wide with horror. “You guys—did you hear?” Dini gasped, barely able to speak through the tears. “Another body… it’s a student... behind the school!”

The weight of Dini’s words hit Giran like a punch to the gut. His stomach churned as he tried to process what was happening.

Another death.