The morning sun rested weakly over Ravenswood Boarding High. The old stone walls looked dark, almost like they were hiding secrets.
Axel Vega walked slowly through the main gates, his shoulders low, his arms tight around a stack of worn-out books.
His shoes were torn at the sides, the sole of the left one almost coming off. He kept his eyes on the ground, hoping no one would notice him.
But people always noticed.
"Look who crawled back from the trash," Damian sneered as he stepped out of the crowd. He was taller, stronger, with sharp eyes that always searched for trouble.
He pushed Axel hard against the lockers, and the books slipped out of Axel's hands, scattering across the hallway floor.
Laughter erupted around them. Mason bent down, picked up Axel's homework, and waved it like a trophy.
"This is mine now. Thanks for the effort, loser." He stuffed it into his bag, ignoring Axel's quiet protest.
"Say something, mute boy," Sophia said from behind Mason. She leaned against the locker, her arms folded, her glossy hair falling across her shoulder. Her lips curled into a cruel smile. "Or are you scared we'll laugh harder?"
Axel looked at her for only a second before lowering his eyes again. His silence was his shield, though it did nothing to stop the pain.
"Leave him alone," Ethan said, stepping forward. He wasn't strong, his frame thin, his voice shaky, but he still stood there.
Damian laughed and shoved him aside easily. "Stay out of this, weakling. You'll break if I even breathe too hard on you."
The others laughed again, their voices echoing in the crowded hall.
Lena stood nearby, books clutched to her chest. She watched with wide eyes, her lips pressed tight.
She wanted to speak, to tell them to stop, but fear held her tongue. She couldn't risk losing her friends. She couldn't risk being the next target.
The bell rang, and the crowd began to scatter. Damian smirked, clapped Mason on the back, and walked away.
Sophia gave Axel one last mocking smile before turning toward her class. Ethan bent down, helping Axel pick up the fallen books.
"You okay?" Ethan asked quietly.
Axel nodded, his voice almost a whisper. "I'm used to it."
Ethan frowned. "You shouldn't have to be used to it."
But Axel didn't reply. He only hugged his books tighter and walked toward class.
The day dragged on. Teachers stood in front of the classes, pretending not to see the whispers, the passing notes, the quiet laughter every time Axel answered wrong or stumbled with his words.
They all pretended nothing was wrong. They always did. By evening, the halls were quiet. Most students had gone back to their dorms.
Axel stayed behind in the library, pretending to study but really just hiding. He left late, his footsteps soft in the dark hall.
As he turned a corner, he saw Nurse Evelyn. She was sitting on a chair near her office door, a handkerchief pressed to her mouth.
She coughed, hard, the sound rough and heavy. When she pulled the cloth away, Axel's eyes widened. It was stained with blood.
Her hand shook as she folded it quickly and slipped it into her pocket. She glanced around, but Axel stepped back into the shadows before she could see him.
A strange chill ran down his spine, and he hurried to his dorm, not daring to think too much about it.
That night, Axel lay awake in bed. The laughter of his bullies, the image of blood on the nurse's handkerchief, the heavy silence of the halls—all of it circled in his head.
Something felt wrong, heavier than the usual pain of being ignored and mocked. He closed his eyes, wishing he could vanish, wishing tomorrow would never come.
But morning always came.
The next day, the school buzzed with noise. The morning bell rang, and students cheered like it was the start of another ordinary day. The courtyard was filled with chatter, with footsteps, with carefree laughter.
Axel stood apart, near the old oak tree, watching. He felt it again—that heaviness in the air, like the world was holding its breath.
Lena approached him hesitantly. Her hands gripped her books too tightly, her knuckles pale. "Um… hi," she said softly.
Axel looked at her in surprise. "Hi."
She shifted on her feet. "I… I saw what they did to you yesterday. I'm sorry."
"You don't need to be," Axel said quietly.
"I should've said something," Lena whispered. "I wanted to. But I…" She trailed off, her voice breaking with guilt.
Axel gave her a small, tired smile. "It's okay. You don't have to risk yourself for me."
"But I want to," Lena said, her voice suddenly firm. Her eyes met his, and for a brief moment, Axel felt something he hadn't in a long time—warmth.
Before either of them could say more, Damian's loud laugh cut through the courtyard. He walked with Mason and Sophia, swagger in every step.
"Well, well, look at this," Sophia said, her eyes narrowing at Lena. "Little miss perfect talking to the school's ghost? Careful, Lena. His silence might rub off on you."
Lena flushed red. She opened her mouth, but this time Axel spoke, his voice low but steady. "Leave her alone."
The group burst into laughter. Damian stepped closer, his face inches from Axel's. "Or what? You gonna stop me?"
Ethan appeared at Axel's side again, his voice trembling but brave. "He said leave her alone."
"Pathetic," Mason scoffed, but before they could push it further, the sound of iron creaking filled the air.
Everyone froze.
The massive gates at the front of the school, tall and black, began to close slowly. The groaning sound echoed across the campus like a warning. Students turned, watching in confusion as the gates slammed shut with a deafening clang.
Silence followed.
"Why did they lock the gates?" a student whispered.
Axel felt his heart pound. The air grew heavier, the same chill from last night crawling over his skin.
Nurse Evelyn stumbled into the courtyard, her face pale, her lips trembling. She coughed again, harder this time, blood staining her sleeve.
Gasps filled the air.
"Is she okay?" Lena whispered, clutching Axel's arm.
Evelyn's body shook. She raised her head, her eyes bloodshot, her voice raspy. "Stay… away…"
Then she fell to her knees, coughing violently. Students screamed, backing away.
Axel's eyes widened. Something was happening. Something no one understood.
And as Evelyn let out a terrible, guttural growl, louder than any cough, the crowd broke into chaos.
Axel grabbed Lena's hand instinctively.
"What's happening to her?" Ethan shouted, his voice shaking.
The gates stood closed. The nurse's growl echoed through the courtyard. Fear swept over everyone.
Axel's chest tightened. Something dark was unfolding.
But the question that struck him hardest was—
Were they locked in?