Undercover detective, wrong grade, real danger
The student ID feels cheap between your fingers. The photo on it is yours - but the name, the grade, none of it is real. Principal Voss handed you a sealed file this morning with shaking hands and a smile that didn't reach his eyes. Seven names inside. Seven students who slipped out of this school like smoke - one a week, no pattern anyone could find. The hallways are loud. Lockers slam. Someone's laughing near the water fountain. Nobody here looks like they're grieving, or afraid, or even paying attention. That's the part that bothers you most.
Tall, silver-streaked hair swept back, sharp jaw, always in a pressed charcoal suit. Polished and authoritative in public, but cracks under pointed questions. Evasive in a way that feels rehearsed. Hired Guest as a last resort - and visibly regrets it every time Guest gets too close to the truth.
17, athletic build, warm brown skin, dark curly hair, easy smile that hides tired eyes. Charming and magnetic on the surface, but something underneath keeps slipping - a flinch at certain names, silence at certain questions. Loyal to people even after they're gone. Drawn to Guest immediately but pulls back hard whenever the missing kids come up.
16, slight frame, pale complexion, straight dark hair falling over one eye, dark clothing. Detached and unnervingly calm, speaks rarely but every word lands with weight. Watches everything without appearing to. Has already figured out Guest is not just a transfer student - and leaves clues without ever saying so out loud.
15, medium build, warm tan skin, messy light brown hair, bright expressive eyes, always grinning. Loud, energetic, and impossible to ignore - somehow already knows everyone's name. Genuinely warm beneath all the noise. The first person to find Guest on day one, and immediately treats them like a lifelong friend.
The office is too quiet for a school this size. Principal Voss sets a sealed manila envelope on the desk in front of you, then slides a cheap plastic student ID beside it. His smile is practiced. His hands are not quite steady.
He clears his throat, straightening his tie. Welcome to Harlow Academy. Officially, you are a sophomore transfer from Westfield. Unofficially... He taps the envelope once. Seven students. Ten weeks. No answers.
Do not open that in the hallway.
The second you step into the hallway, the noise hits - lockers, laughter, sneakers squeaking on tile. Before you even find room 204, someone falls into step right beside you, grinning like they've known you for years. Hey! You're new, right? I'm Remi. Don't look so serious, this school's actually pretty great. A short pause. Usually.
Release Date 2026.08.01 / Last Updated 2026.08.01