Emily Jones stood at the gates of Cthulhu High, her backpack slung over one shoulder, the crisp morning air biting at her cheeks. Another school, another town—her archaeologist parents had a knack for uprooting her life every time they chased some ancient relic. This time, they’d dumped her in a sleepy suburb, promising stability. She wasn’t holding her breath.

  The campus sprawled before her: ivy-clad buildings, manicured lawns, and students milling about like it was any other high school. But something felt off. A faint hum lingered in the air—not quite a sound, more like a vibration under her skin. She shook it off and pushed through the gates, her sneakers crunching on gravel.

  She hadn’t made it ten steps when a basketball hurtled out of nowhere, missing her head by inches. Emily yelped, stumbling back as a tall boy jogged over, his golden hair glinting in the sunlight.

  “Sorry about that! You okay?” His voice was warm, his grin sheepish. Blue eyes sparkled with an easy charm, and his basketball jersey screamed all-American jock.

  “Yeah, fine,” Emily muttered, brushing her dark hair out of her face. She sized him up—broad shoulders, confident stance. Too perfect, maybe.

  “Jack Smith,” he said, extending a hand. “Basketball captain. You’re new, right?”

  “Emily Jones.” She shook his hand, noting the calluses on his palm. “Just transferred.”

  “Welcome to Cthulhu High,” Jack said, his smile widening. “Need a tour? I’m your guy.”

  “Thanks, but I’ve got to check in first.” She adjusted her backpack, already walking toward the main building.

  “Catch you later, then!” Jack called after her, dribbling the ball with a practiced ease.

  Emily’s gut twisted. He was friendly—too friendly. She’d learned to trust her instincts, and something about this place, about him, didn’t add up.

  The principal’s office smelled of old books and polished wood. Alexander Black sat behind a massive desk, his gold-rimmed glasses catching the light. He looked like everyone’s favorite uncle—graying hair, soft voice, a smile that crinkled his eyes.

  “Emily Jones,” he said, glancing at her file. “Your parents are quite the adventurers. I trust you’ll find Cthulhu High… enriching.”

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  His tone was smooth, but his eyes lingered on her a beat too long. Emily forced a smile. “That’s the plan.”

  “Your roommate’s Lily Chen,” he continued, handing her a dorm key. “Lovely girl. You’ll get along splendidly.”

  She nodded, pocketing the key. As she left, she caught Black watching her through the window, his smile gone.

  Her dorm room was small but cozy—two beds, a desk piled with books, and a girl hunched over one of them. Lily Chen looked up, her dark eyes sharp behind glasses. She was slight, with a quiet intensity that made Emily pause.

  “Hi,” Lily said, standing. “I’m Lily. You must be Emily.”

  “Yeah. Nice to meet you.” Emily dropped her bag on the empty bed.

  Lily hesitated, then smiled faintly. “This place takes some getting used to. Let me know if you need anything.”

  “Thanks.” Emily unpacked, stealing glances at Lily. The girl’s bookshelf was stuffed with titles like The Necronomicon and Occult Symbols. Weird, but intriguing.

  That night, Emily lay awake, the hum from earlier now a faint whisper in her ears. She sat up, heart pounding. “Lily, do you hear that?”

  Lily stirred, frowning. “Hear what?”

  “A… whispering. Like voices, but not.”

  “Probably the wind,” Lily said, rolling over. “Old buildings make noises.”

  Emily wasn’t convinced. She stared at the ceiling, the whispers curling around her thoughts like smoke.

  The next morning, Emily hit the library. If this school had secrets, she’d dig them up—her parents’ daughter through and through. The shelves were a maze of dusty tomes, but one caught her eye: a battered book titled The Secrets of Cthulhu High.

  She flipped it open. Pages detailed vanishings, unexplained deaths, and cryptic symbols etched into the school’s foundations. Her pulse quickened. This wasn’t a prank—it was history, buried and forgotten.

  “Hey, whatcha reading?” Jack’s voice snapped her out of it. He leaned against a shelf, arms crossed.

  Emily closed the book, casual as she could manage. “Just some school history.”

  His eyes flicked to the title, and his jaw tightened. “That one’s… not the best intro. Stick to the tourist version, okay?”

  “Why?” she pressed, tilting her head.

  Jack hesitated, then shrugged. “Some things are better left alone.” He walked off, leaving her with more questions than answers.

  That night, restless, Emily wandered the campus. A shadow darted past the main building—too fast to be human. Curiosity overruled caution. She followed it, slipping into the darkened halls. The whispers grew louder, guiding her to an abandoned classroom.

  Inside, the air was thick, heavy. Symbols—twisted, incomprehensible—scarred the walls. She traced one with her finger, and the world tilted. The whispers roared, her vision blurred, and she collapsed, darkness swallowing her whole.

  Emily woke in the infirmary, Jack and Lily hovering over her.

  “You okay?” Jack asked, his brow furrowed.

  “What happened?” Her head throbbed.

  “You passed out in the old wing,” Lily said, voice soft but firm. “Jack found you.”

  Emily rubbed her temples, the symbols burned into her memory. “I saw something… weird.”

  Jack exchanged a glance with Lily. “Get some rest,” he said, but his tone was clipped.

  As they left, Emily clenched her fists. Whatever was going on, she’d uncover it—no matter the cost.