Blackthorn University

CHAPTER 1

The Arrival

The gates of Blackthorn University loomed ahead, wrought iron twisted into intricate patterns that looked like they belonged to an entirely different era. The air seemed heavier here, almost suffocating. It wasn't just nerves—I’d been in enough unfamiliar places to recognize the weight of something different.

Hinigpitam ko ang pagkakahawak ko sa bag ko habang ang tunog ng malalayong usapan at tawanan ay lumalakas. Students swarmed the courtyard, their movements erratic, like there was some invisible current pulling everyone in a hundred directions. Some had this confidence that bordered on arrogance, while others looked like they’d already been swallowed whole by this place.

Sumunod sina Cyrus at Brent ilang hakbang sa likod ko. Narinig ko si Brent na bumubulong tungkol sa kung gaano kabaliw ang lahat, habang si Cyrus ay tahimik lang, malamang sinusuri ang paligid tulad ng dati. They hadn’t wanted me to come here alone, and honestly, I didn’t have the energy to fight them on it.

“Xim,” Brent called out, his voice cutting through the haze of noise. “This place... it’s not normal.”

I turned to face him, arching an eyebrow. “Define ‘normal,’ Brent. You’ve lived in alleys longer than most of these people have lived in luxury.”

He gave me a sheepish grin, but his usual bravado was missing. “I don’t know. There’s just something off about this school. Look at them.” He gestured toward a group of students huddled near the main building. Nagbubulungan sila, ang mga mata nila ay mabilis na gumagalaw, their eyes darting around like they were expecting someone—or something.

Cyrus stepped forward, adjusting the strap of his bag. “It’s just a school. People talk, people stare. Wag na tayo mag isip ng kung ano ano.”

But I could see it in his eyes. He wasn’t convinced either.

We walked through the courtyard, weaving through the throng of students. May kakaibang enerhiya sa hangin, at saglit, parang may nagmamasid sa akin. I glanced over my shoulder, but no one was there. Just Cyrus and Brent, trailing close behind.

The main building was even more imposing up close. Its gothic architecture made it feel more like a fortress than a university. The walls were lined with plaques and crests, each etched with symbols I didn’t recognize.

As we entered the hallway, a low murmur swept through the crowd. I caught snippets of conversation

“New faces...”
“Wonder if they’ll last...”
“They looks tough, but they all do at first.”

I ignored them. People loved to talk, especially about things they didn’t understand.

Nasa dulo ng pasilyo ang opisina ng registrar, pero bago kami makarating doon, may isang boses na tumawag sa likuran namin.

“Hey, you!”

I turned to see a tall girl with sharp eyes and a smirk that didn’t reach them. She leaned casually against the wall, but there was nothing casual about the way she sized us up.

“New here, huh?”tanong niya, her gaze lingering on me a moment too long.

“Halata ba?” I replied, keeping my tone neutral.

Her smirk widened. “The way you’re walking around like you own the place. Word of advice? Don’t. Blackthorn doesn’t take kindly to people who think they’re in control.”

I felt Brent tense beside me, but Cyrus placed a hand on his shoulder, a silent warning.

“At ikaw, sino ka ba para magbigay ng payo?” I asked, my voice steady.

“Jade Parker,” she said. “And trust me, you’ll remember that name. Everyone here does.”

With that, she walked away, leaving an air of unease in her wake.

Brent let out a low whistle. “Well, she seems... friendly.”

Cyrus shook his head. “Let’s just get to the office and figure out where we’re supposed to be.”

But as we continued down the hallway, I couldn’t shake the feeling that we’d just been given our first warning. Blackthorn wasn’t like any place I’d been before.

And it definitely wasn’t going to let us walk out unscathed.