Among Them

Everyone has a secret they'd kill to protect. . . and on this mountain, they just might.

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Regal Crest Academy's elites are used to getting what they want. This year, they've chosen Tariq Al-Mustapha Àlàbí, a naive newcomer dazzled by the school's prestige, to join their exclusive circle - but not without initiation. Their plan is simple: lure him to the peak of Mount Washburn for a night of hazing, and capture his humiliation on film.

But as is often the case, plans don't go as expected. As they reach the mountaintop, things quickly spiral out of control. Someone else has a different plan in mind. What began as a night of fun and a "harmless" prank turns dark and twisted. Soon, each of them realizes this isn't just a prank gone wrong - it's a reckoning.

To survive the night, they must follow one rule: come clean or face the consequences. Because on this mountain, it's clear that someone knows their secrets - and they won't rest until everyone pays.

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Content warning: This story references themes readers might find triggering, including drug use, sexual assault, murder scenes and suicidal thoughts.

[[word count: 60,000 - 70,000 words]]