The next day, another assembly was called.
The announcement came through the speakers during lunch, the now-familiar smooth voice echoing through the cafeteria.
"All students are required to attend an assembly in the Grand Hall at four o'clock this afternoon. Attendance is mandatory."
Auriella and Penny exchanged worried glances.
"Another one?" Penny said quietly.
"It has to be about Celeste," Auriella whispered.
Around them, students were already speculating, voices rising with anxiety and curiosity.
"Do you think they found her?"
"Maybe they're expelling more people."
"What if something bad happened?"
The rumors had been getting worse. The tension on campus was suffocating.
And now, another assembly.
At four o'clock, Auriella and Penny walked toward the Grand Hall together, their steps slow and reluctant.
The moment they stepped through the doors, they felt it.
Eyes.
Dozens of them.
Students turned to stare as they entered, whispers immediately erupting around them.
"That's them."
"The ones who were with Celeste."
"I heard they're the reason she's gone."
Auriella kept her eyes forward, her jaw tight, trying to ignore the stares. Beside her, Penny's shoulders were tense, her hands clenched into fists.
" I didn't know Celeste was this popular." Penny spoke
Well you know how fast rumors spread .Auriella answered .
They found seats near the back, away from as many people as possible.
But even sitting down, Auriella could feel the weight of the accusations.
She glanced around the hall, searching for Lincoln.
He wasn't there.
"He didn't come," Penny murmured, noticing Auriella's searching gaze.
"I don't blame him," Auriella said quietly.
The hall filled quickly, students filing in with anxious expressions. The air buzzed with nervous energy.
And then Professor Onim stepped onto the platform.
The room fell silent.
Onim stood at the podium, his hands clasped in front of him, his expression calm and controlled.
"Good afternoon," he began, his voice carrying effortlessly through the hall. "Thank you all for attending on such short notice. I know many of you have questions and concerns regarding the disappearance of Celeste Moreau."
A murmur rippled through the crowd.
Onim raised a hand, and the hall quieted again.
"I want to assure you all that the administration is doing everything in our power to locate Miss Moreau. We have contacted local authorities, and an investigation is underway."
Auriella's stomach twisted. An investigation.
"However," Onim continued, "I also want to address the rumors and speculation that have been circulating. At this time, we have reason to believe that Miss Moreau may have left campus voluntarily."
Shocked whispers erupted.
"Voluntarily?" someone said loudly.
Onim's gaze swept the room, silencing them.
"Miss Moreau has a history of independent exploration and extended absences. It is possible—likely, even—that she has simply chosen to take a personal leave without informing the school or her family. While this is concerning, it does not necessarily indicate foul play."
Auriella felt a flicker of hope. Maybe she's okay. Maybe she just left.
But the doubt lingered.
The trashed room.
The sudden disappearance.
Even if she wanted to leave ,why would she leave like that .
"I understand that this situation has caused distress among the student body," Onim said. "But I urge you not to panic. Do not engage in unfounded speculation or rumors. If you have any information regarding Miss Moreau's whereabouts, please report it to the administration immediately. Otherwise, I ask that you focus on your studies and allow the authorities to handle this matter."
He paused, his sharp eyes scanning the room.
"Blackthorn University is a place of learning and discipline. We will not tolerate disruptions to the academic environment. Anyone found spreading malicious rumors or engaging in behavior that undermines the integrity of this institution will face disciplinary action."
The weight of his words settled over the room like a heavy blanket.
"That is all. You are dismissed."
The hall erupted into noise as students stood and began filing out, their conversations loud and animated.
"Do you really think she just left?"
"I don't know. It sounds weird."
"But why wouldn't she tell anyone?"
Auriella and Penny stayed seated for a moment, letting the crowd thin out.
"Do you believe him?" Penny asked quietly.
"I don't know," Auriella said. "Maybe. I hope that his right."
Penny sighed.
"I'm so thirsty," she said, pressing a hand to her throat.
"I forgot to drink water after eating cause I was rushing to get here.
"I'll get you some
I'm also thirsty." Auriella offered.
"There's a vending machine near the student lounge.
"You sure?"
"Yeah. Just wait here.
When I come back we can go to the library together and finish up our studies .
"Thanks, Auri."
Penny sat on one of the wooden benches near the middle of the hall, flipping through her phone while she waited for Auriella.
A handful of other students were scattered around—some chatting quietly, others gathering their thing.
At the front of the hall, Professor Onim stood with two other professors near the platform, speaking in hushed tones. Their voices were too low to make out, but their expressions were serious.
the main doors opened.
A man walked in.
Every head turned.
He moved with unhurried confidence, his footsteps echoing softly against the stone floor. He was dressed entirely in black—an expensive coat that moved with him like liquid shadow.
Penny's breath caught.
He was... breathtaking.
He was tall—easily over six feet—with a presence that commanded attention without effort. His hair was inky black, long enough to fall just past his shoulders in sleek, straight strands that caught the light like silk. It wasn't wild or messy; it was perfectly groomed, shining faintly, almost unnaturally beautiful.
His face was striking. Sharp, sculpted features that looked like they'd been carved from marble. His eyebrows were perfectly shaped, dark and defined. nose where straight and aristocratic, his lips were full and finely shaped, with a natural deep red shade that made them look almost stained.
His skin was pale, smooth and flawless, like porcelain, giving him an otherworldly quality.
Penny suddenly felt Foreboding.
it wasn't just his looks.
It was his aura.
The air around him felt heavy. Intimidating. Dangerous.
Even from across the hall, Penny could feel it. A coldness. A darkness that made her instinctively want to keep her distance.
No one approached him.
The few students nearby kept their heads down, avoiding eye contact.
He stood next to Professor Onim, who was speaking to him in low tones, gesturing with his hands. But the man barely seemed to be listening. His expression was unreadable, his dark eyes distant.
Penny couldn't stop staring.
Who is he?
Which family is he from ?
Is he one of the elites?
She wasn't the only one.
The other students in the hall were sneaking glances at him too,Whispering.
A couple of girls a few rows ahead were practically gawking, their faces flushed.
"He's so hot," one of them whispered.
"Do you think he's a professor?"
"No way. He looks too young."
"Maybe he's a graduate student?"
Or an elite ?''
The door at the back of the hall creaked open and
Auriella walked in, holding the bottle of water .
She looked tired, her blonde hair pulled back in a messy ponytail.
She just wanted to go back to her room now and sleep .
Maybe the library can wait another day ," she thought .
Her gaze was low as she walked , something she often did when she felt tired.
But then she suddenly felt it.
That strange pull.
Her eyes lifted,and landed on him.
The man standing with Professor Onim.
And the world stopped.
Her blood ran cold.
It was him.
The man from her nightmares.
The same face. The same hair. The same presence.
Her heart slammed against her ribs.
No.
No, no, no.
This wasn't possible.
He was just a dream. A nightmare. He wasn't real.
But he was standing there. Right there. Talking to Professor Onim .
Auriella's hands started trembling.
The water slipped from her grip.
They hit the floor with a loud, echoing crash, the sound reverberating through the nearly empty hall.
Everyone turned to look at her.
Penny. The other students. Professor Onim.
And him.
His head turned slowly.
And his eyes—those dark, unreadable eyes—locked onto hers.
Auriella couldn't breathe.
She stood frozen, her entire body rigid with terror.
Her mind screamed at her to move, to run, to do something—but she couldn't.
She was petrified.
Her vision blurred. Her hands shook violently.
And then his expression changed.
Just slightly.
A flicker of recognition.
He knows.
The realization hit her like a punch to the gut.
He knew who she was.
Auriella stumbled backward, her legs weak, her breath coming in short, panicked gasps.
And then she ran.
She didn't think. Didn't look back.
She just turned and bolted out of the hall, her footsteps echoing off the stone walls.
"Auriella!" Penny's voice called after her.
But Auriella didn't stop.
She ran through the hallways, past startled students, her heart pounding so hard it hurt.
She didn't stop until she reached Ravenwood Hall.
She flew up the stairs, fumbling with her key, her hands shaking so badly she could barely get the door open.
Finally, she stumbled inside and slammed the door shut behind her, locking it.
She collapsed against the door, sliding to the floor, her entire body trembling.
He's real.
The man from the nightmares is real.
And he's here.
Tears streamed down her face. She couldn't stop shaking.
A knock on the door startled her even more.
"Auriella! Open the door!"
Penny's voice.
"Auri, please! What happened? Are you okay?"
Auriella pressed her hands over her mouth, trying to muffle the sobs threatening to escape.
"Auriella!" Penny pounded on the door. "Please! You're scaring me!"
Penny kept on knocking for a long time ,but Auriella still didn't answer.
Alright I'll come back later ," penny felt she needed more time and left her .
Please be okay "