Chapter 1: The School of Secrets
Jisoo’s POV
The gates of Blackwood High opened with a low metallic creak.
I tightened my grip on my suitcase and stared at the enormous school building in front of me.
This was it.
My new school.
A place known for its excellent results, strict rules, and prestigious reputation.
At least, that’s what the brochure had said.
Standing beside me were Lisa, Rose, Jennie, Maya, Tina, and Nora.
We had all been admitted this year.
A fresh start.
Or so we thought.
“Wow...” Maya breathed. “This place is huge.”
“It looks more like a castle than a school,” Rose said.
Lisa smirked.
“Let’s just hope the students aren’t weird.”
I laughed.
A few minutes later, I would regret that laugh.
As we walked through the courtyard, I noticed something strange.
The students weren’t talking much.
Most schools buzzed with noise and excitement.
This one didn’t.
The air felt heavy.
Like everyone was carrying a secret.
A teacher led us toward the administration office.
Inside, everything looked neat and professional.
Certificates lined the walls.
Trophies sparkled inside glass cabinets.
Yet despite the elegant surroundings, every staff member seemed tense.
As if they hadn’t slept in days.
A woman introduced herself as Vice Principal Graves.
She smiled politely.
“Welcome to Blackwood High.”
Her smile lasted only a second.
Then it disappeared.
“You’re all assigned to Section D.”
She handed us our schedules.
“Please focus on your studies and avoid unnecessary trouble.”
Jennie raised an eyebrow.
“Trouble?”
The vice principal immediately looked away.
“Nothing you need to worry about.”
That answer only made me more curious.
As we left the office, I glanced back.
The vice principal was staring out the window.
Her face looked worried.
Almost frightened.
The hallways were crowded when we arrived.
Students moved between classes in silence.
Then suddenly...
A scream echoed through the corridor.
Everyone stopped.
My heart jumped.
“What was that?” Nora whispered.
Students began rushing toward a notice board.
The atmosphere changed instantly.
Fear spread through the crowd like wildfire.
We followed them.
And that’s when I noticed him.
A boy.
He couldn’t have been much older than us.
His school badge read:
ELIX - SECTION C
He was kneeling beside the lockers.
His hands were shaking.
Several students stood around him.
Laughing.
Mocking him.
One boy kicked his bag down the hallway.
The books spilled everywhere.
Nobody helped.
Not a single person.
Elix quickly gathered his books while keeping his head down.
A girl deliberately stepped on one of them.
The hallway erupted with laughter.
“Leave him alone!” Rose whispered.
But nobody did.
Elix didn’t fight back.
He didn’t even look angry.
He looked terrified.
As if something far worse than bullying was waiting for him.
I stepped forward.
Before I could say anything, Lisa grabbed my arm.
“Wait.”
“Why?”
“Look at their faces.”
I looked.
The students weren’t bullying him because they hated him.
They were scared.
Every single one of them.
Their laughter sounded forced.
Nervous.
Almost desperate.
Like they were trying to prove they weren’t afraid.
But afraid of what?
Then I saw the black paper.
Pinned to the notice board.
One name.
ELIX
The hallway fell silent.
My stomach tightened.
Everyone stared at the paper.
Then at Elix.
Then back at the paper.
Nobody wanted to stand near him.
Nobody wanted to touch him.
It was as if the paper had turned him into an outcast.
“What is this?” I asked quietly.
A nearby student looked shocked.
“You don’t know?”
“No.”
His face turned pale.
“That’s the Black List.”
A cold shiver ran through me.
The student lowered his voice.
“His name appeared this morning.”
“Okay...” Lisa said slowly. “And?”
The boy looked around before speaking.
“As soon as your name appears, your life is over.”
Nobody laughed.
Nobody disagreed.
The hallway remained silent.
“He has seven days left.”
My heart skipped a beat.
“Seven days until what?”
The student swallowed.
Then whispered:
“Until he disappears.”
For a moment, nobody spoke.
I stared at Elix.
His hands were trembling so badly that he could barely hold his books.
The fear in his eyes was real.
Terrifyingly real.
This wasn’t a joke.
This wasn’t some school tradition.
This boy genuinely believed something would happen to him.
And judging by everyone’s reaction...
So did the rest of the school.
Suddenly, the bell rang.
The sharp sound echoed through the corridor.
Students immediately scattered.
Within seconds, Elix was standing completely alone.
Abandoned.
Ignored.
Forgotten.
As if he had already vanished.
Before leaving, Elix slowly lifted his head.
His eyes met mine.
For just a second.
There was a warning in them.
A silent plea for help.
Then he looked away and disappeared into the crowd.
I couldn’t stop thinking about him.
Or the Black List.
Or the strange fear that seemed to haunt every corner of this school.
Because deep down...
I had the feeling that Blackwood High was hiding something.
Something dark.
And whatever it was...
It had already chosen its next victim.
