FELIX'S POV:
I swear, if anyone asks me why I ever agreed to come here, I'm screaming the truth.
Noorwood High is illegal. Not like "vandalism" illegal—like "how is this even physically possible?" illegal. The walls bend. Shadows move. Chairs float. And there's a creepy kid grinning at us like we're appetizers.
I was crouched behind the nearest desk, hands shaking as if my life depended on it—because it does.
Sarah's barking orders didn't help. Don't get me wrong, she's a leader. A good one. But right now, all I hear is panic disguised as strategy. Lara's behind me, muttering something about IKEA ghosts again. I wanted to punch her—no, not really. I needed her humor, but come on, seriously, IKEA ghosts?
Kai is calm. TOO calm. He's scanning the hallway like he's solving a math problem instead of running from death incarnate. I hate him right now.
And Mira… Mira is standing like she's some superhero or a psychic medium or… I don't even know. Her hands are out, commanding the shadows. And somehow, they're obeying. I swear, if she tells us she's part angel next, I'm losing it.
I peeked over the desk. The tall, faceless monster from the hallway is… gone? No, it's just waiting. Watching. Smiling that impossible smile. I feel it staring into my brain, and I know it knows exactly how terrified I am.
"Felix! Focus!" Sarah snapped.
Yeah, focus. Great advice when I can barely breathe.
I whispered under my breath, "I didn't sign up for this. I didn't sign up for any of this."
Then the wall flickered.
Words appeared.
"YOU RUN FIRST."
I almost screamed. Almost.
Then I realized… it's taunting me. Mocking me. Targeting my weakness.
I glanced at the others. Sarah, Lara, Kai—they look scared too, but not like me. I'm a mess.
Mira looked calm. Too calm. Like she's already figured out the cheat codes to surviving a nightmare.
I swallowed. I have to try. I have to do something.
I grabbed a chair. Anything.
"Okay… okay… I'm the tech guy," I muttered, trying to psych myself up. "I can do this. I can… probably hack… ghosts… or whatever the hell this is."
The shadows twitched. They're aware. My heart slammed against my ribs.
I raised the chair like a weapon. "Back off!" I shouted.
One shadow hesitated. Then the child's voice whispered in my ear:
"You always run."
Yeah… and they know it.
I froze.
But then Sarah's hand was on my shoulder. "You're not alone. We're with you."
I blinked, nodded, and whispered: "Okay… okay. Let's survive this… together."