Alex tried to shake the thought out of his head, but it clung to him like cold mist.
The vault in Mr. Sabastin's office hadn't just been locked—it had been sealed. Markings like claws scratched across its surface. Strange, black symbols were painted on the wall behind it—figures of human forms with twisted limbs and glowing red eyes. Some looked like vampires from old books. Others didn't even look human at all.
Alex had only meant to peek inside the chemistry master's office. But once he was in, he couldn't stop looking. Every shelf held glass containers filled with dark, shimmering liquids. Notes covered in strange equations were scattered everywhere. Some of them weren't even in English.
"Alex!" a voice hissed from outside the door. "Come on!"
It was Adam, keeping watch in the hallway.
Alex didn't answer. He was captivated—like something had pulled him in. He leaned over a desk covered in test tubes. His eyes scanned a piece of paper. The writing looked like Latin… but not quite. And then—
A hand grabbed his shoulder.
Alex froze. His breath caught in his throat. The room felt suddenly colder, like the air had been sucked out.
"Snap out of it," Adam said, dragging him back. "Let's go. It's too dangerous. Sabastin could come back any second."
Alex blinked and nodded, shaken. "I just wanted to see—"
"Later," Adam cut him off. "We'll come back. Maybe at night, when no one's around."
Alex hesitated, eyes drifting back to the vault.
But he nodded again. "Okay… fine."
They slipped out of the office, quiet as shadows, and made their way back to class. For the rest of the day, Alex barely heard a word the teachers said. His mind kept wandering back to the lab—to the symbols, the writing, and the claw marks. What was Mr. Sabastin hiding?
His thoughts were interrupted when he noticed Adam flirting with Monica—one of the prettiest girls in their class. Typical. Adam, with his perfect jawline, grey eyes, and natural charm, could make any girl laugh within minutes. He and Monica slipped away at break time, probably off to do whatever Adam usually did when he disappeared with girls. Alex smirked to himself and didn't ask.
As the school day ended, students started leaving. Some hopped on bicycles, some were picked up in sleek cars. The rich ones.
Adam's parents pulled up in their black SUV. Alex hopped in beside his friend, grateful for the lift. His mum usually worked late on Fridays, and Adam's house was practically a second home to him anyway.
At home that evening, Alex's mother had made his favourite—grilled chicken with mashed potatoes and thick gravy.
"How was school?" she asked with a tired smile as they sat down to eat.
"Pretty good," Alex replied, chewing thoughtfully. "We had a crazy chemistry class."
She chuckled. "Just don't blow anything up."
"Too late," he muttered under his breath, grinning.
They chatted for a while. She laughed when he asked if he could spend the weekend at Adam's.
"Stay safe," she said with a wink. "Don't stay up playing video games all night."
"I'm old enough, Mum," he said, grabbing his backpack. "You worry too much."
"I'm your mum. It's my job."
Alex smiled, hugged her tight, and promised to text her later.
Adam's house was even nicer than usual. It smelled like cinnamon and new furniture. The large living room had soft grey couches and shelves full of football trophies and family photos. After greeting Adam's parents, the boys retreated upstairs.
"You ready?" Adam asked, grinning like a kid with a secret. He was already wearing a black hoodie.
"Yes, Dracula," Alex said with a smirk.
They both laughed.
The plan was simple. Wait for nightfall, sneak back into school through the broken fence behind the old gym, and explore the lab properly—without getting caught. Alex was sure Sabastin wouldn't be there at night. He rarely stayed late, and even the janitors avoided the science block after dark. They said it was cursed.
They spent the next hour playing video games and planning the route back in. But as the sky darkened and the town lights flickered on, Alex started to feel something else—something heavier. It wasn't fear exactly. It was curiosity. He needed to know what was behind that vault door. And deep down, he felt like it had something to do with his father's disappearance.
Adam packed flashlights, gloves, and a screwdriver—just in case. Alex tucked a small notebook into his backpack. He wanted to take notes. Pictures if possible.
By 11:45 PM, they were out the back door, moving through the cool night air. The town of Whitmoor was silent. No cars, no dogs barking. Just the sound of wind rustling through leaves.
They reached the school in under ten minutes.
It looked different at night.
The gates loomed like old bones, and the windows of the chemistry block glowed faintly, like eyes watching them from the dark.
"Creepy," Adam whispered.
"Perfect," Alex said.
They climbed through the hole in the fence, careful not to make a sound. The grass was damp. The moon hung high and full.
Inside, the school was deathly quiet. Every footstep echoed. They moved through the main hall, down the corridor, and finally to the door of Mr. Sabastin's office.
Locked.
Adam pulled out the screwdriver and jiggled the latch. It gave way after a few seconds.
The room looked just like before—except colder. Still. The glass samples shimmered faintly in the dark. The smell of chemicals was stronger now—mixed with something... metallic.
Alex moved straight to the vault. The claw marks looked fresh.
"Let's open it," he whispered.
Adam shook his head. "Are you mad?"
Alex ran his fingers along the symbols. "I just want to know."
And then—
A soft sound.
Like breathing.
But it wasn't them.
Adam froze. "Alex… behind you."
Alex turned slowly.
A figure stood at the back of the room.
Eyes red as burning coals.
Not Sabastin.
Not human.