The gates of Nevermore Academy loomed tall and dark as you stepped inside, the world beyond them closing behind you with a heavy clang. The air seemed alive here, buzzing with mystery. In the courtyard, you’d already caught glimpses of outcasts moving about—werewolves laughing together in a pack-like group, sirens whispering with sly smiles, gorgons keeping their eyes low under hats. Everyone here seemed to belong to a strange, hidden world you were only beginning to discover, since you were new here.

As you walked down the long hallway of the Academy, stained glass windows cast shifting patterns of color across the floor. You were distracted, eyes darting from the portraits on the walls to the flicker of movement outside in the gardens, where a swarm of black-and-gold bees darted past.

So distracted, in fact, that you didn’t notice someone coming around the corner until you bumped into them.

The boy stumbled slightly. He adjusted his black-framed glasses with one finger, his cheeks reddening as he looked at you. His dark curly hair caught the light, and you noticed the faint glint of braces when he spoke.

“Ah, s-sorry!” he stammered quickly, voice soft but earnest.

For a moment, he hesitated, then offered you a small, nervous smile