A Blessing or a Curse

Chapter Ten: The Tension Builds

The night before Friday the 13th was unnervingly quiet. The dormitory was still, the usual chatter of students hushed as though an invisible weight had settled over the school. Lucas sat at his desk, a small notebook open before him, scribbling down final notes.

He flipped through pages filled with detailed plans, escape routes, and contingencies. Every variable was accounted for. No room for mistakes.

Jack

Jack couldn't sleep. He tossed and turned, staring at the ceiling of his room as unease gnawed at him. He couldn't shake the feeling that Friday the 13th wasn't going to be just another day. Something about Leo—no, everything about Leo—felt wrong.

He rolled over, reaching for his phone, and began scrolling through the student directory. Leo wasn't listed, of course; new students often took a while to appear in the database. Still, Jack searched, his mind racing with theories.

A knock at his door broke his concentration.

"Jack, you awake?" It was Amilia.

He sat up and opened the door, finding her standing there with a concerned expression.

"What's up?" he asked.

"I couldn't sleep," she admitted, stepping inside. "I've been thinking about what you said. About Leo. Do you really think something's... off about him?"

Jack hesitated, then nodded. "I do. I can't explain it, but I feel like he's hiding something big. I just don't know what."

Amilia sat down, fidgeting with her hands. "I mean, yeah, he's kind of quiet, but that doesn't make him suspicious."

Jack sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It's more than that. He doesn't talk about his past, his family. He's too careful, like he's trying to make sure no one sees the real him."

Amilia frowned. "So, what do we do? We can't just accuse him of something without proof."

Jack shook his head. "We wait. Watch him tomorrow. If I'm wrong, great. But if I'm right..."

Amilia nodded reluctantly, her gaze distant.

Lucas

As the first rays of dawn broke through his window, Lucas stood in front of his mirror, adjusting his uniform. He looked at his reflection, the perfect image of an ordinary student. He smiled slightly, though it didn't reach his eyes.

Today was the day.

He slipped the notebook into his bag, his fingers brushing against a small, concealed blade. A contingency, in case things didn't go according to plan.

Walking to the cafeteria for breakfast, Lucas noticed Jack and Amilia sitting together, their conversation hushed. He felt Jack's gaze on him as he entered, but he didn't react, keeping his expression neutral.

As he sat at a table alone, Lucas couldn't help but let a small smirk cross his face. Jack's suspicion was amusing, but ultimately pointless. By the end of the day, none of it would matter.

Jack

Jack couldn't tear his eyes away from Leo. There was something in the way he moved, the way he isolated himself, that made Jack's skin crawl.

"Jack, stop staring," Amilia whispered, nudging him.

"I can't help it," Jack muttered. "He's up to something. I know it."

Amilia rolled her eyes. "Just eat your breakfast. You're going to drive yourself crazy."

Jack forced himself to look away, but the nagging feeling in his gut didn't fade. He didn't know what was going to happen, but he was certain of one thing: today would be anything but ordinary.

Lucas

As the day unfolded, Lucas moved through the school with practiced ease, his every action calculated. He greeted classmates, laughed at jokes, and answered questions in class—all while mentally checking off each step of his plan.

The red circle on his calendar loomed in his mind, a constant reminder of what was to come.

By lunchtime, everything was in place. Lucas sat at the same table as Jack and Amilia, feigning interest in their conversation.

"Big plans for the weekend?" Jack asked, his tone casual but his eyes sharp.

Lucas shrugged. "Not really. Just glad it's almost here."

Jack didn't reply, but his gaze lingered, searching for cracks in Lucas's mask.

Lucas smirked inwardly. Let him look. By the time Jack realized the truth, it would be too late.

And as the day crept closer to its end, Lucas felt the weight of his plans settle over him like a second skin.

Tomorrow would be unforgettable.