The school day had almost ended. Almost.

Ava was walking beside Kai, bickering over something pointless as usual, when it happened.

A gunshot.

Loud. Sharp. Deadly.

And it was right in front of them.

Time Slowed Down

For a split second, everything felt frozen.

Kai’s body jerked back.
Ava’s breath hitched.
Jae—who had been just a few feet away—turned instantly.

Then—chaos.

Ava’s ears rang. Screams erupted from the students nearby. But her focus was on Kai.

“Kai?!” Her voice cracked as she reached for him.

Kai stumbled, gripping his side. Blood.

There was blood.

“No, no, no—” Ava’s hands shook as she grabbed his arm, trying to keep him upright.

Kai gritted his teeth, forcing a smirk. “Well, damn. That’s one way to end the day.”

“KAI, THIS ISN’T FUNNY!”

Jae was already there, pushing Ava behind him. His expression was pure murder.

“Who the hell fired that?” His voice was low. Dangerous.

Ava’s head snapped up. She looked around, but whoever had done it—was gone.

Only a single note was left behind.

"Leave Ava, or next time, I won’t miss."

The Aftermath

The next few minutes were a blur.

Teachers rushed in. Students panicked. The police were called.

Jae didn’t let go of Ava’s wrist the entire time. Not even for a second.

Kai was rushed to the nurse’s office. Fortunately—the bullet only grazed him. A few inches closer, and it would’ve been fatal.

That thought made Ava’s stomach twist.

She sat beside him, her hands still shaking.

Kai, despite his injury, grinned. “Ava, you look like you’re gonna throw up.”

Ava glared. “Kai, you almost DIED.”

Kai shrugged. “Yeah, but I didn’t.”

Jae smacked him—gently—on the head. “Shut up, idiot.”

Kai laughed, but Ava could see it.

The fear. The anger. The unspoken weight of what just happened.

This wasn’t just about a mysterious threat anymore.

This was real. Too real.

And it wasn’t over.