Chapter 1to 5.
LOVE IN THE SHADOW OF REVENGE
The Gates of Elnon High
The giant black gates of Elnon High School slowly opened as students flooded inside the academy.
Some students laughed loudly.
Others rushed toward classrooms carrying books while teachers walked through the beautiful pathways of the enormous school.
The school looked peaceful.
Luxurious buildings stood proudly beneath the morning sunlight while fountains sparkled in the center courtyard.
Elnon High School was known as:
the biggest school in Blake City,
the most expensive academy,
and one of the most respected schools in the country.
But beneath its beauty—
dark secrets slept quietly.
It was exactly 8 AM.
Several people had arrived for interviews for school jobs.
Among them was thirty-five-year-old Peter Blackwood.
Peter parked his old bike nervously outside the school gates before staring up at the massive buildings.
His clothes looked simple compared to the wealthy people entering the school.
He tightened his grip on his documents and whispered quietly to himself:
“I hope I get this job so I can support my family. It’s already been two months since the soap company closed.”
He breathed deeply.
“This could change everything.”
A security guard directed him toward the waiting room where other applicants sat silently.
Some looked confident.
Others nervous.
Peter sat quietly while holding his documents tightly against his chest.
Minutes passed slowly.
Then finally—
“Peter Blackwood.”
Peter immediately stood up.
“It’s your turn.”
Peter entered the principal’s office carefully.
The room felt unusually cold.
Four people sat waiting inside:
Principal Jordan Calloway,
Adrian Kingsley,
Mia Sterling,
and Victoria Sincar.
Jordan leaned back in his chair slowly.
“Welcome, Peter.”
His deep voice echoed across the office.
Peter nodded respectfully.
“Thank you, sir.”
Mia stretched out her hand.
“Your documents.”
Peter quickly handed them over.
The teachers carefully examined everything while asking him several questions.
“Have you worked in schools before?” Adrian asked.
“No, sir.”
“Can you manage difficult cleaning tasks?” Victoria added coldly.
“Yes, madam.”
Jordan stared at Peter carefully the entire time.
Almost as if studying him.
Then finally—
the interview ended.
“You may wait outside,” Mia said calmly.
Peter thanked them nervously before leaving the office.
But as the door closed—
Jordan’s expression changed slightly.
“There’s something interesting about him,” he whispered quietly.
The other teachers exchanged strange looks.
Hours later, all applicants gathered in the hallway waiting for results.
Peter silently prayed under his breath.
Then Victoria stepped forward holding papers.
“The school has made its decision.”
Everyone became silent immediately.
“Peter Blackwood…”
Peter’s heart nearly stopped.
“You got the job as the school manager cleaner.”
Peter froze completely.
A huge smile slowly appeared across his face.
“You will work together with Mr Lucas Reed as your assistant.”
Victoria continued reading:
“And the school chef will be Mrs Julian.”
Peter could barely believe it.
“Thank you… thank you so much.”
That evening, Peter rode his bike quickly through the streets of Westfield.
Excitement filled his heart.
For the first time in months—
hope returned.
When he finally reached home, he rushed toward the small house excitedly.
The door suddenly opened.
“Dad!”
Little Ryan Blackwood ran toward him laughing loudly.
Peter lifted his son happily into the air.
Then Sofie Blackwood appeared from the kitchen gently holding her pregnant stomach.
She smiled warmly.
“What happened?”
Peter sat down speechlessly for a moment before finally saying:
“I got the job.”
Silence filled the room.
Then suddenly—
they all screamed with happiness.
Ryan jumped around excitedly even though he barely understood.
Sofie hugged Peter tightly with tears in her eyes.
“Our lives are finally going to change,” she whispered emotionally.
Peter smiled while holding his family close.
None of them realized—
that job would eventually destroy everything.
CHAPTER TWO
The First Day
Peter’s first day at Elnon High School arrived quickly.
Students crowded the hallways while expensive cars entered the school gates.
Peter wore his best clothes proudly.
Lucas Reed welcomed him warmly.
“You’ll get used to this place,” Lucas laughed softly.
But Peter quickly noticed something strange about the school.
Certain teachers whispered secretly whenever students passed nearby.
Some hallways remained locked.
And several security guards watched people too carefully.
During lunch break, Peter accidentally entered the wrong corridor.
Suddenly—
two men carrying boxes quickly stopped walking.
The boxes leaked dark red liquid onto the floor.
Peter frowned slightly.
“What’s inside?”
The men exchanged nervous looks.
“Kitchen supplies.”
Before Peter could ask more, Adrian Kingsley suddenly appeared.
“Peter.”
His voice sounded sharp.
“You are only allowed in authorized areas.”
Peter apologized quickly.
But deep inside—
something felt wrong.
CHAPTER THREE
The Basement Door
Days passed as Peter adjusted to work.
The students respected him because of his kindness.
Even Mrs Julian often smiled while working beside him in the kitchen.
But strange things continued happening around the school.
Every night after 9 PM:
certain teachers disappeared,
security guards increased,
and strange sounds echoed underground.
One evening while cleaning near the west wing, Peter discovered a hidden basement door slightly open.
Voices echoed from inside.
“You must move the students tonight.”
Peter froze.
Students?
Then another voice spoke:
“The principal wants everything hidden before inspections.”
Peter slowly stepped closer.
But suddenly—
a hand grabbed his shoulder.
Peter nearly screamed.
It was Lucas.
“You shouldn’t be here,” Lucas whispered nervously.
Peter looked confused.
“What’s happening in this school?”
Lucas looked terrified for a moment.
Then quietly answered:
“Some secrets are dangerous.”
CHAPTER FOUR
Shadows Beneath the School
Peter could not stop thinking about the hidden basement.
At home, Sofie noticed his silence.
“You seem worried lately.”
Peter hesitated.
“Something feels wrong at that school.”
Sofie looked concerned immediately.
“Then leave the job.”
Peter shook his head slowly.
“We need this money.”
That same night, rain poured heavily over Blake City.
Inside Elnon High School, Principal Jordan Calloway sat at the head of a long underground table.
Beside him sat:
Adrian Kingsley,
Mia Sterling,
Victoria Sincar,
and several masked figures.
“The new cleaner saw too much,” one masked member warned.
Jordan remained calm.
“He knows nothing yet.”
Victoria crossed her arms.
“And if he discovers the truth?”
Jordan’s eyes darkened slowly.
“Then we handle him.”
Above them—
Peter unknowingly walked deeper into danger.
CHAPTER FIVE
The Whispered Warning
The following week, Peter began noticing missing student posters around the city.
One face looked familiar.
A boy from Elnon High School.
But inside school, nobody mentioned the disappearances.
It was as if the students had never existed.
One afternoon, Mrs Julian quietly approached Peter in the kitchen.
“You’re a good man,” she whispered softly.
Peter smiled slightly.
“Thank you.”
Then her expression became serious.
“If you love your family…”
She leaned closer.
“…do not investigate this school.”
Peter’s smile disappeared slowly.
Before he could ask anything—
Mrs Julian walked away quickly.
And for the first time—
fear entered Peter Blackwood’s heart..
