New York was still asleep. The city itself was never truly quiet. Even in the early hours of Sunday morning, there was always the distant sound of cars moving along the streets, the occasional honk of a impatient driver, and the low hum of a city that seemed incapable of taking a complete breath. But inside one particular house, there was absolute peace. At least, there was peace until Tim entered Daniel's bedroom. He stood beside the enormous bed with his hands folded behind his back, staring down at the sleeping vampire beneath the blankets. Daniel's dark hair was a complete mess. One arm was hanging lazily over the edge of the mattress, and half of his face was buried in his pillow. Tim sighed. "Young master Daniel." Nothing. "Daniel." Still nothing. Tim raised an eyebrow. "Danny." A muffled groan came from underneath the blanket. "No." Tim blinked. "No?" "I don't want to hear whatever you're about to say." Tim's lips twitched. "You don't even know what I'm about to say." "I know you," Daniel muttered. "And whatever it is, I don't want it." Tim walked closer to the bed. "Perhaps you'd like to hear that the house is on fire?" Daniel didn't move. "Tell the fire to come back later." Tim stared at him for a moment. "You realize that is probably the worst possible response to a house fire." "I'll deal with it tomorrow." "It's Sunday." "Exactly." "School resumes tomorrow." Daniel slowly opened one eye. "Don't remind me." Tim smiled. "I wasn't planning to. Your father already reminded me enough times for the both of us." Daniel immediately pulled the blanket over his head. "Then tell him I'm dead." Tim chuckled. "That might actually be believable considering how you're behaving." Daniel groaned. "Tim, please. Just let me sleep." "You have been sleeping for hours." "That's because I'm tired." "You are a vampire." "And?" Tim folded his arms. "You're supposed to be awake at night." Daniel finally lifted his head from the pillow. "I know." "And sleep during the day." "I know." "But somehow, you have developed a remarkable attachment to sleeping through the night." Daniel stared at him. Tim continued. "In all my years, I have never met another vampire who complains this much about waking up." Daniel sat up slightly. "I'm not complaining." "You just told me to tell a hypothetical fire to return tomorrow." "That was strategic." "Of course." Daniel narrowed his eyes. "You enjoy annoying me." "Very much." Daniel threw his pillow at him. Tim caught it effortlessly. "Get up," Tim said. "No." "You need to go shopping." Daniel paused. "Shopping?" "School supplies. Clothes. Whatever else you need for tomorrow." Daniel looked toward the window. The curtains were still drawn, leaving the room dim and cool. "Can't we do that later?" "You could." Daniel smiled. "Good." "But your father expects you back before lunch." Daniel's smile disappeared. "Why?" Tim gave him a knowing look. "Because he wants to speak with you." Daniel immediately fell backward onto the mattress. "Then I'm definitely staying here." Tim sighed. "Daniel." "No." "Daniel." "I'm not home." "You're literally lying in your bed." "That's an illusion." Tim stared at him. "You are an incredibly difficult young man." "And yet you still work here." "Unfortunately, I have grown attached to you." Daniel smirked. Tim pointed toward the bathroom. "Get ready." Daniel remained still. Tim turned toward the door. "I'll give you five minutes." Daniel's eyes widened. "Five minutes?" "Four minutes and fifty-nine seconds." Tim began walking away. Daniel suddenly threw off the blanket. "Fine!" Tim smiled without turning around. He knew exactly how to handle Daniel. Daniel stood up, stretching lazily. "You know," he said, "for someone who works for me, you're extremely bossy." Tim stopped at the doorway. "For someone who is supposed to be a young master, you behave like a spoiled child." Daniel stared at him. "Did you just insult me?" "I believe I did." Tim walked out. Daniel shook his head. "Unbelievable." But he was already awake. --- An hour later, Daniel stepped out of the house wearing a simple black shirt, dark jeans, and sneakers. He had managed to tame his hair enough to look presentable, although Tim had informed him that it was still obvious he had only been awake for a short time. Daniel ignored him. The two eventually arrived at the mall. Sunday shoppers had already begun filling the place. Daniel walked through the entrance with his hands in his pockets, looking considerably less irritated now that he was fully awake. Tim followed behind him. "School supplies first," Tim reminded him. "I know." "New notebooks." "I know." "Pens." "I know." "Anything else you need." "I know." Tim smiled. "You seem unusually cooperative." Daniel glanced at him. "Because I'm trying to get this over with." They moved through several stores, picking up notebooks, pens, folders, and other supplies. Daniel also bought a new pair of basketball shoes after spending far too long deciding between two almost identical pairs. Tim eventually looked at him. "They look exactly the same." "They don't." "They are both black." "Different designs." "Nobody will notice." "I will." Tim shook his head. "Fair enough." By the time they finished shopping, Daniel had several bags in his hands. For a moment, he looked almost like any other teenager preparing for a new school year. Except, of course, that he wasn't. He was a vampire. The son of one of the oldest and most respected vampires in Transylvania. And tomorrow, he would return to Greenland Field. A school where humans and supernatural beings existed side by side, most students completely unaware of how much mystery surrounded the place. Daniel had attended Greenland Field for years. He knew its hallways. He knew its teachers. He knew which students were always looking for trouble. And he knew exactly which person he would rather avoid tomorrow. Jace. Daniel's expression darkened slightly at the thought. Tim noticed. "Don't start." Daniel looked at him. "I didn't say anything." "You didn't have to." Daniel rolled his eyes. "I can control myself." "I sincerely hope so." They continued walking. Neither of them noticed the pair of eyes watching them from across the mall. For only a few seconds, someone stood near the entrance of a clothing store, watching Daniel carefully. Then the person disappeared into the crowd. --- GREENLAND FIELD Across the city, Greenland Field was already preparing for the return of its students. The school grounds were enormous. Beautiful stone buildings surrounded a large courtyard, while tall trees lined the pathways leading toward the sports facilities. The school looked peaceful. Almost too peaceful. Inside the principal's office, however, there was absolutely no peace. Miss Wilson sat behind her desk, reviewing several documents. Bridget stood nearby with a tablet in her hands. "Are the classrooms ready?" Miss Wilson asked. "Yes." "Sports facilities?" "Checked." "Student schedules?" "Updated." "Teachers?" "All contacted." Miss Wilson nodded. "And the cafeteria?" Bridget glanced at the tablet. "Fully prepared." Miss Wilson leaned back. "Good." Bridget hesitated. "There is one more thing." Miss Wilson looked up. "What?" "Mr. Stanley's office called." Miss Wilson's expression changed slightly. "Why?" "They requested a meeting concerning school administration." Miss Wilson sighed. "Of course they did." Bridget remained quiet. Miss Wilson looked toward the window. Greenland Field belonged to Stanley, but running a school this large required more than money. It required order. And Miss Wilson demanded order. She was strict with students, strict with teachers, and even stricter with herself. There were also things about her that nobody at school knew. Nobody knew what she truly was. Nobody knew that beneath the calm human appearance was something much older and more dangerous. She was half-human and half-vampire. And unlike most people with supernatural blood, Miss Wilson had learned to control both sides of herself. She could walk among humans without drawing attention. She could also become something entirely different when necessary. That secret had remained hidden for years. Bridget knew more than she ever said, but she was far too quiet to reveal anything. Miss Wilson looked at her. "Anything else?" Bridget shook her head. "No." "Then tomorrow should go smoothly." Bridget gave a small nod. "Hopefully." Miss Wilson frowned. "Hopefully?" Bridget's expression remained perfectly calm. "With students, nothing ever goes smoothly." Miss Wilson stared at her. After a moment, she sighed. "You're right." --- THE JEFFREY HOUSE Across the city, Riel was enjoying what she believed was the most important activity a person could possibly do on a Sunday morning. Sleeping. She was curled beneath her blanket, completely unaware that her father had entered the room. Jeffrey stood at the doorway. He watched his daughter for several seconds. Then he smiled. "Riel." Nothing. "Riel." She shifted. "Five more minutes." Jeffrey walked closer. "School starts tomorrow." One eye opened. "It does?" Jeffrey raised an eyebrow. "Yes." Riel closed her eye again. "That's unfortunate." Jeffrey laughed. "Get up." "Dad..." "Come on." "It's Sunday." "I know." "Sunday is for sleeping." "Apparently not." Riel pulled the blanket over her head. "Can't I sleep in today?" Jeffrey smiled. "You can sleep after you prepare everything for school." "I already did that." "When?" "Last week." Jeffrey crossed his arms. "Everything?" "Yes." "Backpack?" "Packed." "Uniform?" "Ready." "Shoes?" "Ready." "Books?" "Ready." "Alarm?" Riel paused. "...I don't need an alarm." Jeffrey knew that pause. "You didn't set one, did you?" "I was going to." "When?" "Eventually." Jeffrey shook his head. "You are unbelievable." Riel groaned. "Dad, please leave me alone." Jeffrey smiled. "Okay." Riel immediately relaxed. Jeffrey walked toward the door. Then stopped. "Oh, by the way." Riel opened her eyes. "What?" "Your favorite sports star is on television right now." Riel's eyes widened. "What?" Jeffrey nodded seriously. "Live interview." Riel sat upright so quickly that her hair flew across her face. "Where?" "In the living room." She jumped out of bed. "Dad!" Jeffrey followed her downstairs, struggling not to laugh. Riel rushed into the living room. She grabbed the remote and turned on the television. Nothing. She changed the channel. Nothing. Another channel. Nothing. Riel slowly turned around. Jeffrey was standing at the entrance with the biggest smile on his face. She narrowed her eyes. "You lied." "I did." "You actually lied to me." "It worked." Riel crossed her arms. "I cannot believe you." Jeffrey laughed. "You got out of bed." "That was evil." "It was effective." Riel rolled her eyes. "You're lucky I love you." "I know." She turned around. "Fine. I'm awake." "Good." "Happy?" "Very." Riel headed toward the stairs. "You're annoying." Jeffrey smiled. "I've been told." --- After showering and getting dressed, Riel spent the next hour preparing everything she would need. She checked her backpack twice. Then a third time. Not because she was disorganized. Because she knew her father would ask again. When she finally came downstairs, she saw Smith lying on the couch. Still asleep. Riel stopped. She stared at him. Then looked toward her father. "Dad!" Jeffrey looked up. "What?" "Why is Smith still sleeping?" Smith didn't move. Riel pointed toward him. "You woke me up!" Jeffrey shrugged. "Some people actually work late at night." Riel frowned. Jeffrey continued. "And not everyone spends their nights watching movies." Riel's mouth dropped open. "I do not!" Smith suddenly opened one eye. A small smirk appeared on his face. Riel noticed. "You heard that?" Smith closed his eye again. "Unfortunately." "You think this is funny?" "A little." Riel squeezed her face. "Whatever." She stormed upstairs. Behind her, Smith smiled. He loved annoying his little sister. --- Back in her room, Riel grabbed her phone. There was only one person she wanted to talk to. Ashley. She pressed call. The phone rang. Once. Twice. Three times. Finally- "Hello?" Ashley sounded half-dead. Riel smiled. "Good morning!" There was silence. Then Ashley groaned. "Girl..." "What?" "Why are you calling me this early?" "It's almost morning." "Exactly." Riel laughed. Ashley continued. "You know I need my beauty sleep." Riel rolled her eyes. "At least you got to have one." Ashley gasped. "Are you insulting me?" "My dad woke me up." "On a Sunday?" "Yes." "That's criminal." "I know!" Ashley yawned. "So why did you call me?" "I needed someone to complain to." "You called the correct person." Riel laughed. "My dad made me prepare everything for school." "Couldn't you have done that yesterday?" "I already did it last week!" Ashley went silent. "So why did he wake you?" "Because he wanted to annoy me." "Sounds like something dads do." Riel dropped onto her bed. "I don't want summer to end." "Same." "Tomorrow we'll have to wake up early." "Don't remind me." "And classes." "Disgusting." "And teachers." "Terrible." "And homework." Ashley gasped. "Don't say that word." Riel laughed. For several minutes, they talked about school, their teachers, classmates, and everything they had done during summer. Ashley eventually became more awake. "You know what?" she said. "What?" "I actually missed school." Riel stared at her phone. "You're joking." "No." "You hate school." "I hate waking up for school." "That's different." "Exactly." Riel smiled. Tomorrow was the beginning of another school year. Neither girl knew that the new school year would be anything but ordinary. --- BACK AT DANIEL'S HOUSE Daniel returned home in the afternoon carrying several shopping bags. Tim followed behind him. Daniel dropped the bags onto a nearby chair. "Finally." Tim nodded. "Everything is ready." Daniel stretched. "Good." Then Tim's expression changed. "Oh." Daniel looked at him. "What?" "Your father wishes to see you." Daniel's face immediately fell. "No." Tim blinked. "No?" "No." "He specifically asked for you." "Then tell him I'm busy." Tim looked around. "Doing what?" Daniel thought for a moment. "Preparing for school." "You already finished." "I can prepare again." Tim sighed. "Daniel." Before Daniel could respond, footsteps echoed through the hallway. Both of them turned. Arthur entered the room. The atmosphere changed instantly. Silence filled the space. Daniel's relaxed expression disappeared. Arthur was not simply his father. He was one of the oldest vampires alive. A man whose name carried weight throughout Transylvania. Daniel had spent his entire life trying to figure out how to exist under the shadow of that name. Arthur looked at him. "Daniel." Daniel stared back. For a moment, neither said anything. Tim quietly stepped aside. Daniel finally spoke. "If there's something you want to tell me, you can send it to my phone." Arthur's expression hardened. "Is that how you speak to your father?" Daniel shrugged. "There is no need for a long conversation." "Daniel." "I have school tomorrow." "You have always used school as an excuse." Daniel looked at him. "And you've always used being my father as an excuse to make decisions for me." Tim looked between them. This was clearly not a conversation he wanted to be part of. Arthur took a slow breath. "I only want what is best for you." Daniel's expression softened for half a second. Then the walls came back up. "I know." "Then why do you make everything difficult?" "Because sometimes what you think is best for me isn't what I want." Arthur stared at him. Daniel picked up one of his shopping bags. "I'm tired." He walked toward the stairs. Arthur called after him. "We are not finished." Daniel stopped. Without turning around, he answered quietly. "We never are." Then he continued upstairs. Tim remained in the room. Arthur watched Daniel disappear. For a moment, the powerful vampire looked less like an intimidating ruler and more like a father who simply didn't know how to reach his son. Tim lowered his eyes. Arthur finally turned toward him. "He's becoming more difficult." Tim hesitated. "He's becoming more independent." Arthur looked toward the staircase. "That is exactly what concerns me." Upstairs, Daniel closed his bedroom door. He leaned against it and sighed. Tomorrow was supposed to be the first day of school after summer. He had expected basketball, friends, annoying teachers, and perhaps another argument with Jace. He had not expected his father to start another lecture. Daniel walked toward his bed and glanced at the school supplies scattered across his desk. A new school year. A fresh beginning. At least, that was what he thought. He had no idea that somewhere beyond the ordinary noise of Greenland Field, secrets were already beginning to move. Secrets involving vampires. Humans. Werewolves. Old rivalries. Hidden identities. And a girl named Riel who had absolutely no idea that her life was about to change. For now, however, the city remained peaceful. Sunday was almost over. Tomorrow, the students of Greenland Field would return. And none of them knew what waited for them behind those school gates.

The first day of school had finally arrived. Greenland Field High School had not been this loud in months. The moment the gates opened, students poured through them in groups, laughing, shouting, hugging, and calling each other's names. Cars pulled up one after another, dropping students off before driving away. Some students ran toward their friends as though they had been separated for years instead of a few weeks. Summer was officially over. And judging by the noise filling the school grounds, nobody seemed particularly happy about it. "Girl!" Ashley screamed from across the courtyard. Riel turned around just in time to see Ashley running toward her with her bag hanging from one shoulder. "Ashley!" The two girls immediately hugged. "I missed you!" Ashley exclaimed. "You saw me three weeks ago." "That was three weeks too long!" Riel laughed. "You're dramatic." "I am not dramatic. I am expressive." "You're dramatic." "Whatever." They pulled apart, still laughing. Around them, the school was alive. Students were comparing summer stories, showing each other pictures on their phones, complaining about how quickly the holiday had ended, and discussing everything from teachers to sports to relationships. "I can't believe we're back," Riel said, looking around. Ashley sighed dramatically. "I can." "You can?" "Yes. Because the universe hates teenagers." Riel laughed again. Ashley lowered her voice. "And because Mr. Thompson is probably already preparing homework." "Don't say that." "Homework." "Stop." "Homework." "Ashley!" They both burst into laughter. A few feet away, Justin appeared carrying two books under one arm and a bottle of water in the other. "There they are," he said. Riel turned. "Justin!" "Ladies." Justin gave them an exaggerated bow. Ashley rolled her eyes. "Why do you always behave like this?" "Because I am naturally gifted." "You're naturally annoying," Riel replied. "Same thing." The three of them began walking toward the main building. Justin looked around. "So, what did I miss?" "Nothing," Riel said. "Nothing?" "Nothing important." Ashley immediately shook her head. "That's a lie. I have plenty of things to tell you." Justin looked interested. "Oh?" Ashley smiled. "Later." "Now." "Later." "Now." "Later." Riel shook her head. "You two haven't changed." "Neither have you," Justin said. They entered the main building with the other students. The halls were packed. Everywhere they looked, there were familiar faces. Some students had changed their hairstyles. Some had new shoes, new bags, or new clothes. Others looked exactly the same as they had before the holiday. The hallway echoed with conversations. "Did you see my message?" "Girl, I told you!" "Where did you spend your holiday?" "Did you finish the assignment?" "Wait, you're in my class?" "I thought you transferred!" "I missed you!" "I can't believe we're seniors already!" The atmosphere was almost overwhelming. Teachers stood outside classrooms trying to control the crowd. "Walk!" "Stop running!" "Get to your classroom!" "First bell is about to ring!" Nobody listened. Then- RIIIIING! The first bell of the school year rang. The noise gradually disappeared. Students rushed toward their classrooms. Ashley grabbed Riel's arm. "Come on!" "I'm coming!" Justin followed them. Within minutes, the noisy hallway became almost completely empty. The doors closed. And just like that, the first day of school officially began. --- Riel sat near the middle of her classroom. She had always preferred sitting somewhere that wasn't too close to the front and wasn't too far toward the back. Ashley sat beside her. Justin sat a few seats behind them. Their first teacher walked in carrying a stack of books. The entire class became quiet. "Good morning." "Good morning, ma'am." "Welcome back." There were a few tired responses. The teacher looked around. "I hope everyone enjoyed their holiday." A few students nodded. "Good. Because unfortunately, the holiday is over." A collective groan filled the room. The teacher smiled. "You'll survive." The class laughed. Then the lesson began. At first, everyone was attentive. For about ten minutes. Then people started looking at the clock. Ashley leaned toward Riel. "I'm already tired." Riel whispered back. "We've been here for twenty minutes." "Exactly." "You're unbelievable." Ashley rested her head against her hand. "I need lunch." "You need to pay attention." "I can do both." "You're not doing either." Justin, who had overheard them from behind, quietly laughed. The teacher suddenly turned around. "Justin?" Justin immediately sat upright. "Yes, ma'am?" "Would you like to share the joke with the entire class?" "No, ma'am." "Good." The class laughed. Justin lowered his head. Riel tried not to laugh. The lesson continued. One class became two. Two became three. Then four. By late morning, everyone was beginning to feel exhausted. The first day back was always like this. Teachers wanted to establish rules. Students wanted to talk. Teachers wanted to explain schedules. Students wanted to know who had changed classes. And everyone wanted to know what had happened during the holiday. By the time the lunch bell finally rang, the entire school seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. RIIIIING! Students immediately began leaving their classrooms. Ashley stood. "Food!" Riel laughed. "You've been waiting for this since morning." "Obviously." Justin joined them. "I have never seen anyone more excited about cafeteria food." "Don't judge me." They made their way through the crowded hallway. --- The cafeteria was already packed. Students filled almost every table. The sound of talking, laughing, chairs moving, and trays being placed on tables filled the room. Riel and Ashley found an empty table near the windows. Justin followed them. They sat down. "So," Justin said, opening his drink, "tell me everything." Ashley smiled. "Where do I begin?" "Anywhere." Ashley immediately started talking. She told them about her summer. She talked about visiting relatives, going out with friends, spending hours watching movies, and getting into little adventures that she insisted were completely normal. Riel listened, laughing every few seconds. Justin interrupted constantly. "You did what?" "That doesn't make sense." "You're lying." "I am not lying!" "You're exaggerating." Ashley pointed at him. "You're just jealous." "Of what?" "My exciting life." Justin looked at Riel. "Is she always like this?" "Unfortunately." "Traitor!" Riel laughed. For a few minutes, everything felt completely normal. Just three friends catching up after summer. Then the cafeteria doors opened. And the entire atmosphere changed. Daniel walked in. He wasn't trying to attract attention. He didn't need to. The second he entered, conversations began fading. One by one, heads turned. Girls stopped talking. Some whispered. Others simply stared. Daniel walked casually through the cafeteria, his expression relaxed. His dark hair was styled neatly, and his face carried the same effortless confidence he always seemed to have. He looked like someone who knew exactly how much attention he received. And judging from the reactions around the room, everyone else knew it too. Ashley nearly stopped breathing. "Oh. My. God." Riel looked at her. "What?" Ashley stared at Daniel. "That's him." "Who?" "Daniel." "I know who Daniel is." "No, you don't understand." Ashley leaned closer. "He looks even better than before the holiday." Riel raised an eyebrow. "You saw him before the holiday." "I know!" Ashley placed a hand dramatically over her chest. "I think I love him." Justin nearly choked on his drink. "You think you what?" "I love him." "You've never even spoken to him properly." "That doesn't matter." "It absolutely matters." Ashley ignored him. "Oh my gosh. Look at him." Riel glanced toward Daniel. She didn't understand the obsession. Yes, he was attractive. Yes, people clearly noticed him. But to Riel, that wasn't enough. She had seen the way Daniel behaved around school. He was confident to the point of arrogance. He had a reputation for flirting. He was a playboy. And the few times Riel had encountered him, he hadn't exactly impressed her. "He's just a guy," Riel said. Ashley stared at her. "Just a guy?" "Yes." "Riel!" "What?" "How can you say that?" "Because he is." Justin laughed. "Finally, someone sensible." Ashley pointed at him. "You don't get an opinion." "Why?" "Because you have terrible taste." Justin looked offended. "My taste is excellent." "Then name one person you like." Justin paused. "That's classified." Riel laughed. Ashley turned back toward Daniel. "I don't care. He's gorgeous." Riel shook her head. "Looks aren't everything." Ashley sighed. "Sometimes they are." Before Riel could answer, another girl approached Daniel. Kimberly. She walked confidently across the cafeteria, as though she owned the place. Her cheerleader uniform made it obvious who she was. She stopped directly in front of Daniel. Without saying much, she leaned forward and kissed him. The cafeteria erupted in whispers. Ashley's eyes widened. "Oh!" Riel watched quietly. Apparently, this wasn't new. Everyone already knew Kimberly and Daniel were together. Or at least, everyone thought they were. Daniel didn't seem particularly serious about it. Kimberly, however, clearly enjoyed the attention. She slipped her arm through his. The two walked toward a table together. Around them, students whispered. "They look so good together." "They're definitely the most popular couple." "I heard they started dating over the holiday." "No way!" "Kimberly is so lucky." Kimberly seemed to enjoy every second of the attention. Daniel simply smiled. To him, it was entertainment. For Kimberly, it was about the spotlight. For the school, they were the perfect couple. But appearances could be misleading. Very misleading. --- Ashley was still staring. "I can't believe it." Riel looked at her. "What?" "She actually kissed him." "You sound jealous." "Maybe I am." Justin laughed. "You're hopeless." Ashley ignored him. Then the cafeteria doors opened again. This time, a group of soccer players walked in. At the center was Jace. Riel immediately stopped talking. Her eyes followed him. Ashley noticed. She slowly smiled. "Oh." Riel looked away. "What?" "You're staring." "I am not." "You absolutely are." Justin looked between them. "Wait." He smiled. "This is interesting." Riel frowned. "What's interesting?" "You." "Me?" "Looking at Jace." Ashley laughed. Riel tried to hide her embarrassment. "Shut up." Ashley leaned closer. "So you like him?" Riel hesitated. Then she sighed. "Maybe." "Maybe?" "Fine. Yes." Ashley stared at her. "You like Jace?" "Yes." "More than Daniel?" "Definitely." Ashley looked genuinely confused. "How?" Riel shrugged. "Jace has everything." Justin laughed. "Here we go." Riel continued. "He's smart." Ashley raised an eyebrow. "He's confident." Justin nodded sarcastically. "Of course." "He's good at sports." "Very important," Justin said. "And he's just... him." Ashley stared at her. "What does that even mean?" "I don't know." Justin leaned back. "This is hilarious." Ashley looked at him. "Why?" "Because both of you are obsessed with guys you probably won't even date." Riel and Ashley looked at him simultaneously. "Shut up, Justin." Justin laughed. "I'm just saying." He glanced toward Daniel and Jace. "You two should probably pay attention to the bigger problem." Riel looked confused. "What?" Justin nodded toward the two boys. Daniel had noticed Jace. Jace had noticed Daniel. They were standing several feet apart. Neither said anything. But the atmosphere between them changed instantly. Their eyes met. Cold. Unfriendly. The cafeteria seemed to grow quieter around them. Jace's expression hardened. Daniel's smile disappeared. For a few seconds, neither moved. Everyone knew something was wrong between them. Nobody knew exactly why. The rivalry between their fathers was well known. Arthur and Stanley had been enemies for more than thirteen years. Their disagreements had become almost legendary in certain circles. And naturally, people assumed their sons had inherited the rivalry. But there seemed to be something deeper. Something neither boy ever talked about. Jace eventually walked past Daniel. Their shoulders almost touched. Neither apologized. Neither looked away. Daniel turned slightly. Jace did the same. For one brief moment, they stared at each other again. Then Jace continued walking. Justin shook his head. "See?" Ashley looked at him. "See what?" "They hate each other." "Obviously." "No," Justin said. "I mean they really hate each other." Riel watched Jace walk away. "Why?" Justin shrugged. "That's the thing. Nobody knows." Ashley looked thoughtful. "Maybe it's just because their fathers hate each other." "Maybe." Justin paused. "But I don't think that's the whole story." Riel looked at him. "What makes you say that?" Justin lowered his voice. "Because I've seen them around each other before." "And?" "They don't act like normal rivals." "What do you mean?" Justin glanced toward Daniel. "It's like they know something about each other." Riel frowned. "What kind of something?" "I don't know." Justin shrugged. "That's what makes it interesting." --- At Daniel's table, Kimberly was enjoying herself. She had barely stopped talking since she sat down. Then Stacy appeared. "Kimberly!" Kimberly turned. "Stacy!" The two girls immediately hugged. "I missed you!" "I missed you more!" They pulled apart, laughing. Stacy sat beside Kimberly. "So, tell me everything." Kimberly smiled. "Oh, I have stories." "Same." The two began comparing their summer holidays. Kimberly bragged about visiting an expensive resort. Stacy bragged about staying at a luxury hotel. Kimberly mentioned a private island. Stacy immediately claimed she had visited an even more exclusive one. Neither seemed willing to lose. Daniel sat quietly beside them, occasionally smiling at their arguments. "You two are unbelievable," he said. Kimberly smiled. "You love it." Daniel shrugged. "Sure." Across the cafeteria, Riel noticed the interaction. "They really like attention," she said. Justin nodded. "Kimberly lives for attention." Ashley sighed. "I don't understand how Daniel can stand it." Riel looked at her. "You'd stand it." Ashley smiled. "Absolutely." Justin groaned. "You're both impossible." --- After lunch, the students returned to class. The afternoon passed slowly. There were introductions to new teachers, changes in schedules, announcements about clubs, and discussions about sports teams. The basketball team held its first meeting of the year. Daniel and Lucas stayed behind after class. Lucas had been Daniel's best friend since they were seven years old. Unlike Daniel, Lucas was calm and rarely allowed himself to be pulled into unnecessary drama. "You noticed Jace today," Lucas said. Daniel looked at him. "I noticed him." Lucas folded his arms. "You two almost started something." "I wasn't going to start anything." "You looked like you wanted to." Daniel smiled slightly. "Maybe I did." Lucas sighed. "Daniel." "What?" "You know how this always ends." Daniel's expression became more serious. "I know." Lucas studied him. "Then stay away from him." Daniel didn't answer. Instead, he looked toward the hallway. For some reason, he felt as though someone was watching him. He turned. Nothing. The hallway was empty. "Daniel?" He looked back at Lucas. "I'm fine." Lucas nodded, though he clearly wasn't convinced. --- Meanwhile, Riel and Ashley were walking toward their next class. "I still can't believe you like Jace," Ashley said. Riel smiled. "And I still can't believe you like Daniel." "Daniel is amazing." "Daniel is trouble." "Jace is trouble too." "Maybe." Ashley smiled. "So we're both doomed." Justin suddenly appeared behind them. "Correct." Both girls jumped. "Justin!" He laughed. "You two are too easy." Riel shook her head. "You really need a hobby." "I have one." "What?" "Annoying you." Ashley laughed. They continued down the hallway. Everything seemed normal. Students were talking. Teachers were moving between classrooms. The school announcements played over the speakers. Then the lights flickered. Once. Twice. Everyone looked up. The lights returned to normal. "Power issue?" someone asked. "Probably," another student answered. Nobody thought much of it. Except Miss Wilson. She was standing inside her office. The moment the lights flickered, she stopped what she was doing. Her expression changed. She slowly looked toward the window. For a moment, something about the school felt different. Not dangerous. Not exactly. Just... familiar. Miss Wilson walked toward the window. Outside, students continued moving around the courtyard. Everything looked normal. But she knew better. She had felt it. Something had entered the school. Something she hadn't felt in years. Behind her, Bridget quietly entered the office. "Miss Wilson?" Miss Wilson turned. "Yes?" "Are you all right?" The principal looked toward the window again. "Yes." She paused. Then quietly added, "I hope so." Bridget frowned. "What happened?" Miss Wilson didn't answer. Instead, she looked down at the documents on her desk. One particular file caught her attention. There was no name on the front. Only a strange symbol. A symbol she hadn't seen in years. Her fingers tightened around the file. "Bridget," she said quietly. "Yes, ma'am?" "Lock my office." Bridget looked surprised. "Why?" "Just do it." Bridget nodded. She turned toward the door. Miss Wilson remained standing by the window. Her eyes slowly changed. For the briefest moment, they were no longer completely human. Then they returned to normal. --- The final bell of the day eventually rang. Students poured into the hallways. Everyone was talking about their first day. Some complained about teachers. Some discussed homework. Others were already planning where to go after school. Riel, Ashley, and Justin walked toward the school entrance together. "I survived," Ashley announced. "Barely," Justin said. Riel laughed. They stepped outside. The afternoon sun was beginning to lower. Students were leaving in groups. Cars arrived at the school gates. Everything looked completely ordinary. But as Riel reached the gate, she suddenly stopped. "Wait." Ashley turned. "What?" Riel looked back at the school building. "I thought I saw someone." Justin looked around. "Where?" "Up there." She pointed toward one of the upper windows. Nothing. Ashley frowned. "There's nobody there." "I know." Riel continued staring. For a moment, she thought she saw a figure standing behind the glass. Tall. Motionless. Watching. Then- The figure disappeared. Riel blinked. "Probably nothing." Justin looked at her. "You sure?" "Yeah." They continued walking. None of them noticed the shadow standing on the roof of the school. It remained there long after the students had gone. Watching the gates. Watching the empty courtyard. Watching the road. Then the figure slowly turned toward the school. A faint smile appeared. And somewhere inside the building, behind a locked office door, Miss Wilson suddenly looked up. She had heard something. A whisper. Barely audible. But unmistakable. Her eyes widened. Because the voice had spoken only three words. Three words she had hoped she would never hear again. "They are coming back." And for the first time in years, Miss Wilson was afraid of what the new school year might uncover.

Nearly a month had passed since Greenland Field High School reopened for the new school year. The excitement of returning from summer had long disappeared. The new-school-year conversations had become ordinary conversations. The students had settled into their schedules, teachers had already begun giving assignments, and the once-exciting sound of the school bell had become something everyone had learned to tolerate. For some students, the first month had gone by quickly. For others, it felt as though they had been trapped in school for a year. Riel belonged somewhere in between. She liked seeing her friends every day, but she wasn't exactly thrilled about the amount of work their teachers had been giving them. Ashley, on the other hand, had somehow managed to turn every school day into entertainment. Justin had become the person who provided commentary on everything. And Daniel? Daniel remained Daniel. Popular. Confident. Always surrounded by people. Always attracting attention. And somehow always managing to arrive late at the most inconvenient moments. It was a Tuesday morning when the science teacher decided to make everyone's day considerably more complicated. The class was halfway through a lesson when their teacher suddenly closed her textbook. The students immediately became suspicious. Whenever a teacher closed a textbook unexpectedly, it usually meant one of two things. A surprise test. Or an assignment. Neither option was good. The teacher turned toward the class. "Everyone, listen carefully." The room became quiet. "We're going to begin your next science project." A collective groan spread across the classroom. Riel leaned back in her chair. Ashley whispered, "Please tell me she didn't say project." "She said project." "I hate science." "You said that last week." "And I meant it." The teacher ignored the whispers. "This will be a group project." The students became slightly more interested. "Groups of three." Immediately, the classroom exploded with movement. Students began turning around in their seats. "Come with me." "You're on my team." "No, I already promised her." "Wait for me!" "Three people only!" The teacher raised her voice. "Three people. Exactly three." Nobody listened. Riel turned toward Ashley. "Obviously we're together." Ashley nodded. "Of course." Riel looked around. "We need a third person." Before they could decide, Justin leaned forward from behind them. "Need someone?" Riel smiled. "You're joining us?" Justin shrugged. "Unless you two have already decided to torture me by yourselves." Ashley laughed. "Fine. You're in." Justin placed his hand over his heart. "I'm honored." Across the classroom, another student had already found her group. Christiana. She was a friendly girl who had been in their class for some time, although she wasn't part of Riel and Ashley's closest circle. She had been quietly interested in Justin for quite a while. And Justin had absolutely no idea. Christiana walked toward him. "Justin?" Justin turned. "Yeah?" "Are you already in a group?" "Actually, not yet." Christiana smiled. "Do you want to work with me?" Justin looked at Riel and Ashley. They hadn't officially started anything yet. Riel noticed Christiana waiting. She looked at Justin. "Go ahead." Justin nodded. "Sure." Christiana's face brightened. "Really?" "Yeah. Why not?" She smiled. "Great." Justin stood up and joined her. Riel watched them for a second. Ashley leaned closer. "Does she like him?" Riel looked at her. "You noticed too?" "Everyone has noticed." Justin had already begun discussing the project with Christiana, completely unaware of the conversation happening behind him. Riel smiled. "He's clueless." "Completely." The classroom continued to organize itself. Kimberly immediately claimed Stacy. "You're with me." Stacy nodded. "Obviously." The two girls moved their chairs together. Kimberly glanced around the room. "We need a third person." Stacy knew exactly what Kimberly was thinking. "Daniel?" Kimberly smiled. "Obviously." She looked toward the classroom door. Daniel's seat was empty. Kimberly checked the clock. "He's late." Again. Stacy sighed. "He'll probably come." "I know." Kimberly smiled confidently. "He'll be in my group." She didn't seem concerned at all. The teacher began walking around the classroom. "Once you have your groups, write down the names of your members." Kimberly raised her hand. "Ma'am?" "Yes?" "Daniel is in my group." The teacher looked toward the empty seat. "Daniel isn't here." "He'll be here." "When?" Kimberly shrugged. "Soon." The teacher sighed. "We don't have time to wait." Kimberly's expression changed. "But he always works with me." "You can work with someone else." Kimberly frowned. "I want Daniel." Stacy quietly whispered, "Kimberly..." Kimberly ignored her. The teacher looked at the remaining students. She spotted a student standing without a group. "Tisha." The girl looked up. "Yes, ma'am?" "You'll join Kimberly and Stacy." Kimberly immediately frowned. "What?" "Tisha will be your third member." "But-" "No." Kimberly looked annoyed. "Ma'am, Daniel is supposed to be in our group." "You don't get to choose a student who isn't here." "He's coming." "And when he arrives, he'll join the group I assign him to." Kimberly folded her arms. "But-" "Kimberly." The teacher's tone became firm. "Your group is complete." Kimberly sat back down, clearly unhappy. Tisha approached the table. "Hi." Kimberly barely looked at her. "Whatever." Tisha looked uncomfortable. Stacy gave her an apologetic smile. "Don't mind her." Kimberly turned toward Stacy. "I heard that." "I know." Tisha sat down. Kimberly kept staring at the door. She was waiting. And waiting. And waiting. Then finally- The classroom door opened. Everyone looked up. Daniel walked in. He was slightly out of breath. His school bag hung over one shoulder. He looked toward the teacher. "Sorry I'm late." The teacher stared at him. "You're almost thirty minutes late." Daniel gave a small smile. "I know. I'm sorry." "Take your seat." Daniel nodded. As he walked into the classroom, Kimberly's entire expression changed. She immediately smiled. "Daniel!" Daniel glanced at her. "Hey." Kimberly stood. "Ma'am, can you change the groups?" The teacher sighed. "No." "But Daniel is here now." "Your group is already complete." Kimberly looked at Tisha. "Then she can join another group." The teacher shook her head. "Kimberly, this isn't a negotiation." "But-" "No." Kimberly's face tightened. Daniel looked around. "So where am I?" The teacher pointed toward Riel's group. "You'll join Riel, Ashley, and-" She paused. "Actually, their group has only three?" Riel raised her hand. "Yes, ma'am." The teacher checked her list. "Then we'll rearrange slightly. Daniel, you will join Riel and Ashley." Ashley nearly jumped out of her chair. Her eyes widened. Daniel. In her group. She quickly forced her expression back to normal. "Okay." She tried to sound calm. She failed. Riel noticed. She immediately looked down at her notebook so Ashley wouldn't see her smiling. Kimberly was furious. "But ma'am!" "No." "Why can't Daniel join us?" "Because I already assigned your group." "But-" "Kimberly, enough." Kimberly dropped into her seat. She glared at Riel. Then Ashley. Then Daniel. She clearly wasn't happy. Daniel didn't seem particularly bothered. He simply picked up his bag and walked toward Riel and Ashley. "Hey." Riel nodded. "Hey." Ashley smiled. "Hi." Daniel sat down. Ashley tried very hard not to stare. Very hard. For several minutes, she behaved normally. Or at least she tried. The teacher began explaining the project. The students needed to research an environmental problem, create a presentation, and design a small demonstration that could be shown to the class. Riel immediately started taking notes. Daniel leaned closer to look at the instructions. Ashley glanced at him. Then quickly looked away. A few seconds passed. She looked again. Then again. Riel noticed. She bit the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing. Ashley leaned closer to Daniel when he wasn't looking. She caught the faint scent of his cologne. Her eyes widened. She immediately sat back. Riel nearly laughed out loud. Ashley whispered, "Don't." Riel covered her mouth. "I didn't say anything." "You were about to." "I wasn't." "You were." Riel looked at her. "You're ridiculous." Ashley smiled. "You don't understand." "Oh, I understand." "No, you don't." Ashley glanced at Daniel again. "To me, this is a dream." Riel shook her head. "Just focus on the project." Ashley sighed. "Fine." But she was smiling. For the rest of the lesson, she tried to concentrate. She really did. But every time Daniel spoke, she found herself paying attention. Every time he leaned closer to look at their notes, she became nervous. And every time she remembered that she was sitting only a few feet away from him, she had to remind herself to act normal. Riel found the entire thing hilarious. Daniel, meanwhile, seemed completely unaware. --- When the class finally ended, students began packing their things. The project had been assigned, but they still needed to decide what exactly they were going to research. Riel gathered her books. "So, when should we meet?" "After school?" Ashley suggested. Daniel looked at them. "That's fine." Ashley nodded quickly. "Perfect." Riel noticed her excitement. She smiled. "You're enjoying this too much." Ashley whispered, "Absolutely." Before they could continue, the bell rang. Students began leaving the classroom. Daniel stood. "I'll see you later." "Bye," Riel said. Ashley waved. "Bye!" Daniel walked away. Ashley watched him leave. Riel looked at her. "You're staring again." "I know." "Shameless." "I don't care." --- After classes ended for the day, Greenland Field became divided between students heading home and students involved in extracurricular activities. The basketball court was one of the busiest areas. The annual basketball competition was only a month away. Greenland Field had won the competition two years in a row. And Daniel had no intention of allowing that winning streak to end during his time as captain. The team gathered on the court. Lucas stood beside Daniel. The other players were stretching. Daniel clapped his hands. "Let's get started." The players moved into position. Lucas looked at Daniel. "You're serious today." "I'm always serious." Lucas laughed. "No, you're not." Daniel smiled. "Maybe not always." The coach blew the whistle. The practice began. The first few minutes were focused on warm-ups and passing drills. Then the game started. Daniel moved quickly across the court. He dribbled past one player. Passed to Lucas. Lucas caught the ball. Within seconds, he sent it back. Daniel jumped and scored. The crowd watching from the sidelines erupted. "Let's go!" "Daniel!" "Lucas!" The students cheered loudly. Neither Daniel nor Lucas seemed surprised. They had been the school's star basketball players for a long time. But there was something nobody in the crowd knew. They were vampires. And their speed was far beyond that of ordinary humans. They had learned to control it. They had learned how to move just quickly enough to seem exceptionally talented without revealing what they truly were. Still, sometimes it was difficult. Especially when they were competing. Daniel's instincts often pushed him to move faster. Lucas would occasionally have to remind him to slow down. Because humans weren't supposed to move like them. And humans definitely weren't supposed to know vampires existed. The secret had to remain hidden. Always. --- The cheerleaders gathered on the other side of the court. Kimberly stood in front of them. "Again!" The girls repeated the routine. Stacy followed Kimberly's movements. "Five, six, seven, eight!" They moved together. The routine was energetic and complicated. Kimberly had been practicing constantly. She wanted the cheerleading team to look perfect during the competition. The crowd clapped when they finished. Kimberly smiled proudly. She loved being watched. She loved being the center of attention. And she loved knowing that the entire school knew she was the cheerleading captain. But someone else was watching too. Riel. She stood near the edge of the court with Ashley. Her eyes followed the cheerleaders. There was something fascinating about it. The energy. The teamwork. The music. The confidence. The feeling of everyone moving together. Riel smiled. "I think I'd like to try." Ashley looked at her. "Try what?" "Cheerleading." Ashley blinked. "You?" "Yes." "You're serious?" Riel nodded. "I think so." Ashley smiled. "Then do it." Riel looked toward Kimberly. "You think she'll let me?" Ashley laughed. "That's another question." Riel took a breath. Then she walked toward the cheerleaders. Kimberly noticed her approaching. "What do you want?" Riel stopped. "I wanted to ask if I could try out." Kimberly looked her up and down. "For the cheerleading team?" "Yes." Kimberly laughed. "You?" Riel frowned. "Yes, me." "You don't exactly look like cheerleader material." Stacy looked at Riel. "Kimberly-" "What?" Riel kept her voice calm. "I just want a chance to try." Kimberly folded her arms. "No." Riel blinked. "You haven't even seen me try." "And I don't need to." "That doesn't seem fair." Kimberly smiled. "Life isn't fair." Riel was about to respond when the coach approached. "What is going on?" Riel explained. The coach looked at Kimberly. "Let her try." Kimberly frowned. "But-" "Let her." Kimberly stepped aside. "Fine." Riel joined the group. The first test was simple. Balance. Then flexibility. Then timing. Then coordination. Riel surprised everyone. She wasn't perfect. But she was good. Very good. The coach watched carefully. Kimberly's expression became increasingly irritated. The next test involved learning a short routine. Riel watched once. Then tried it. She missed one movement. The second time, she got it right. Ashley cheered from the sidelines. "Yes, Riel!" Riel smiled. The coach nodded. "Good." Kimberly crossed her arms. The final test involved performing the routine with the rest of the team. Riel joined them. She followed the timing. She kept pace. And when the routine ended, the coach smiled. "Welcome to the team." Riel's face lit up. "Really?" "Yes." Ashley ran toward her. "I knew you could do it!" Riel laughed. Kimberly, however, wasn't smiling. She looked furious. She walked toward Riel. "Don't think this means anything." Riel frowned. "What?" "You're on the team because the coach said so." Riel looked at her. "I know." Kimberly stepped closer. "But I'm the captain." "I know." "So you'll do what I say." Riel nodded. "Okay." Kimberly smiled coldly. "Good." She turned away. Stacy followed her. "You're really going to make this difficult for her?" Kimberly didn't even look back. "She wanted to join." Stacy sighed. "And?" Kimberly smiled. "She'll learn." --- The basketball practice continued. Daniel and Lucas were playing against the other team members. Daniel stole the ball. Lucas ran ahead. Daniel passed. Lucas caught it. He scored. The crowd erupted again. Riel watched from the cheerleading area. She couldn't help smiling. The school felt alive. For the first time, she was beginning to understand why everyone cared so much about Greenland Field. It wasn't just a school. There were friendships. Rivalries. Secrets. Competition. And something else. Something she couldn't explain. As she watched Daniel and Lucas play, she suddenly noticed something strange. For just a moment, Daniel moved far too quickly. Riel blinked. Had she imagined it? She looked again. Daniel was standing normally. Lucas was beside him. Everything seemed fine. Riel shook her head. Maybe she'd simply been distracted. The practice eventually ended. Students began leaving the court. The cheerleaders gathered their belongings. The basketball players headed toward the changing rooms. Riel was about to leave when she heard a faint sound. A whisper. She turned. Nobody was there. "Riel?" Ashley called her name. Riel looked back. "Coming." She followed Ashley toward the school building. But before she left the court, she glanced toward the empty bleachers. There was something strange about the feeling she had. As though someone had been watching. She couldn't see anyone. Yet she couldn't shake the feeling. --- Later that evening, the school was almost empty. The corridors were quiet. The basketball court lights had been switched off. The cheerleading room was locked. Teachers had gone home. Students had gone home. But one person remained inside the school. Miss Wilson. She sat alone in her office. The mysterious file from weeks ago was still on her desk. She hadn't opened it. Not yet. She stared at the symbol on its cover. Then there was a knock. Three slow knocks. Miss Wilson froze. "Who is it?" No answer. She stood. Another knock. She walked toward the door. Her hand reached for the handle. Before she could open it, she heard a voice from the other side. "It's been a long time." Miss Wilson's face went pale. She stepped away from the door. The voice came again. "You really thought you could hide forever?" Miss Wilson stared at the door. She knew that voice. She had heard it many years ago. And she had hoped never to hear it again. Her eyes slowly changed. The human appearance she carefully maintained began to disappear. For a moment, something much older stared back from the reflection in the office window. Miss Wilson whispered, "No." Outside the office, footsteps slowly moved away. Miss Wilson rushed to the door and opened it. The hallway was empty. But on the floor was a small black envelope. She picked it up. There was no name. Only the same strange symbol from the file. Miss Wilson stared at it. Then she whispered the words she had been trying not to believe. "They've found me." And somewhere far beyond Greenland Field, beneath a sky that had already turned completely dark, another pair of eyes opened. The new school year had only just begun. But something from the past had already found its way back. And this time, it wasn't coming back alone.