The car sped away, quickly shrinking into the distance. After such a long goodbye, the sudden silence felt deafening. Only a faint breeze rustled through the leaves.
The girls studied the building before them. The weather did nothing to improve its appearance—if anything, it made the place seem even more mysterious.
"Un-be-liev-able," Sophie drawled, wide-eyed. "That virtual tour on their website didn't capture any of this atmosphere. This place practically screams: money and secrets!"
Evelyn didn't share her friend's excitement. To her, the gloomy wrought-iron gates against the red brick screamed something closer to: Keep out—or else.
"Too dark," she muttered. "Feels like someone's about to jump out of the bushes with a knife."
"Ooooh, how spooky!" Sophie grinned, trying to lighten the mood, and squeezed her shoulder. "Come on, it's not that bad. I bet it looks completely different on a sunny day."
"Yeah. A regular paradise…"
"Since when did you become such a grouch?"
"I'm just being realistic," Evelyn shot back.
Sophie winked playfully.
"If you're scared, I can hold your hand," she teased, stretching out the last words with deliberate mockery. "Since you're so terrified…"
But Evelyn didn't respond. Her gaze was fixed on a window on the third floor. For a brief moment, she thought someone had been watching them.
"Earth to Ev?" Sophie waved her hand in front of her face. Evelyn flinched and stepped back, startled. "You spaced out for a second. You okay?"
Evelyn slowly shifted her uneasy gaze from the window to her friend's face. Sophie's oval face, framed by long, sun-bleached blonde waves, seemed to glow even under the dull sky. Her eyes—like two vast lakes veiled in early morning mist—held a flicker of concern, though they usually sparkled with carefree, childlike laughter.
Sophie had always considered her looks her greatest asset—and to be fair, she knew exactly how to use them. If she wanted something, she got it. Even if she lacked skill or knowledge, her appearance always made up for it. Some people really did win the genetic lottery.
"Yeah, I just got lost in thought for a second. Don't worry about it," Evelyn said belatedly.
Sophie glanced back at the ominous window. Seeing nothing unusual, she picked up their bags and headed toward the Academy doors.
"Let's go inside. I'm freezing."
After one last look at the unsettling window, Evelyn followed.
The heavy door slammed shut behind them, as if cutting them off from the outside world. After the crisp autumn air, the warmth inside stung their skin.
Sophie tilted her head back in delight and nudged Evelyn with her elbow.
"Look at those chandeliers! They look like real gold!"
Dim daylight filtered through the windows, illuminating the golden metal. Sunbeams, distorted by glass and clouds, played across the crystal pendants. The glow from the bulbs reflected off the intricate patterns, flooding the foyer with light. It felt as though the sun had been stolen from the sky and locked inside this gloomy building.
"Maybe it is real gold," Evelyn suggested.
"Don't be ridiculous," Sophie scoffed. "Remember Mike?"
Out of the hundreds of male names Sophie had mentioned over the years, Evelyn struggled to recall which Mike she meant. Noticing her confusion, Sophie frowned slightly and clicked her tongue.
"The son of that logistics company president—the one who took me cruising along the coast in his Ferrari and thought he was God's gift to humanity."
"Oh, the one who thought you were into him, not his money?"
For a moment, Sophie's smile became another sun in the room. She laughed loudly, drawing curious glances.
"Exactly. And even he didn't have chandeliers like these. And he could've burned cash in his fireplace."
Well-dressed students clustered in tight groups, forming a maze of bodies. The hum of dozens—if not hundreds—of voices, bursts of laughter, excited reunions… it all blended into a deafening buzz.
Evelyn turned slowly, studying the portraits on the walls.
"They all look at you like that… from above…" she shivered under their cold gazes.
"Let them look. I'm more interested in that blond over there…" Sophie flicked her eyes in a direction.
Evelyn understood immediately. With a casual laugh, she brushed a curl behind her ear, clearing the view. Thirteen years of friendship with the school's most notorious flirt had not gone to waste.
The fair-haired boy Sophie had picked out was openly staring, shamelessly, while talking to the group around him. Evelyn could practically feel his gaze slide over her from head to toe.
"Welcome to Blackcroft…" Sophie whispered, unable to hide her admiration.
Suddenly, a loud, commanding female voice filled the corridor. The noise died instantly as all eyes turned toward the staircase where the woman stood. Authority radiated from her very presence. A single, deliberate clearing of her throat silenced even the last murmurs.
"All students are to proceed immediately to the assembly hall for the welcome address!"
She turned sharply, then added with a soft but unmistakable threat:
"Do not keep me waiting…"
Sophie grabbed Evelyn's hand and led her through the crowd.
After some effort, they found seats in the middle of the hall—comfortable wooden chairs upholstered in red velvet. Director Haven ascended the stage slowly and silently, where a large, bearded man already stood waiting with his hands behind his back.
His rigid posture and scanning gaze made Evelyn uneasy, so she looked around instead. High stone ceilings arched overhead, formed by pointed vaults. Stained glass windows cast colorful reflections across the polished wooden floor. For a moment, she wondered if she had wandered into a church rather than an elite academy.
When the director finally reached the stage, the murmurs died down.
"Welcome to Blackcroft!" she began.
"Each of you has taken a difficult path to reach these halls," she paused meaningfully before continuing, "a path of hard work, ambition, and talent…"
A boy seated in front of the girls snickered loudly and, grinning, tossed out a remark clearly meant to be heard:
"Yeah, especially Victoria. Worked really hard."
The hall erupted in laughter, but it quickly faded under the heavy gaze of the bearded man. The director continued, unshaken.
"I trust I don't need to remind you that our Academy is the oldest institution in the country," her green eyes, framed by half-moon glasses, seemed to pierce through the crowd. "And our expectations reflect that. Make no mistake—being here is an extraordinary privilege."
She offered a polite smile. Evelyn didn't need to be psychic to understand—this was not a woman to be trifled with.
"I sincerely hope you will treat one another with respect," she turned slightly toward her assistant. "Our groundskeeper, Charles, ensures that all rules are strictly observed."
Charles stepped forward, gave a short, tight smile, and nodded. It wasn't reassuring. It felt more like a warning.
"Despite our strict discipline, Blackcroft is your second home."
"Just like school," Sophie muttered with a smirk, nudging Evelyn.
"Everyone within these walls will treat you with kindness. The staff will be happy to assist you with any concerns."
The director paused again, then smiled broadly—fine lines betraying her age.
"Especially our new students! We are delighted to welcome you into our ranks!"
"Bullshit!" a voice full of contempt cut through her words.
Silence rang out across the hall.
Charles stepped forward, as if giving the unseen speaker one last chance to reconsider—but the voice continued.
"That's only true until one of you disappears!"
Everyone turned. A tall, dark-haired boy sitting at the back rose and began walking down the aisle.
"And no one will shed a tear when they find your body a couple of months later," he smirked.
It seemed like he was addressing the room—but in truth, his words were meant for the director. His face twisted into a manic grin. For a second, Evelyn thought she heard him chuckle.
The director said nothing. She simply cast a cold glance at Charles, who immediately moved toward the boy. His footsteps echoed through the hall.
Grabbing him by the collar, Charles tried to drag him out in silence, but the boy resisted.
"Ask them what happened—ask Haven!" he shouted.
The doors slammed shut behind them, and anxious whispers immediately filled the room.
"That was… creepy. What just happened?" Sophie raised her eyebrows.
"No idea," Evelyn said, her eyes still fixed on the door.