CHAPTER 1

Charlotte walked through the brightly lit hallway of Lichtenberg High School, her heart racing. She spotted Richeza,her cousin, a short girl with jet-black hair, sitting alone on a bench. Richeza was the principal's daughter, and Charlotte couldn't help but feel a rough sadness for her. Being the principal's child was not easy, especially with the recent events in the town.

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‎"Richeza, your father's calling you," Charlotte said, trying to sound cheerful.

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‎Richeza looked up, her green eyes wide with surprise. "Yes?"

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‎Charlotte waved her hand. "You should go. He sounds serious."

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‎Taking a deep breath, Richeza stood up. The whispers of her classmates filled the air as she walked towards the office. "Did you hear? They say the principal let some students die. The Crown Butcher is still out there," one student whispered.

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‎Richeza clenched her fists, trying to block out the noise. Her father, Principal Harrow, had become a figure of both respect and fear in the school. Students whispered about the murders, about how he had failed to keep them safe. The Crown Butcher was a name that sent chills down everyone's spine.

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‎As she reached her father's office, Richeza hesitated at the door. What if he was angry? What if he blamed her for what was happening? She could hear voices inside, and one of them was unmistakably her father's.

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‎"Come in," he called, his voice deep and echoing.

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‎Richeza opened the door slowly, stepping inside. The room was filled with thick bookshelves and a large wooden desk. Her father sat there, his eyes piercing through her. Next to him was a boy around her age, tall with messy blond hair and intense blue eyes.

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‎"You're late," her father said, his tone cold.

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‎"I-I apologize, Father," she stuttered, glancing at the boy beside him.

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‎"Don't apologize. Anyway, this is Astra," he said, gesturing towards the boy. "He needs a guardian. You'll be his guardian."

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‎Richeza's stomach twisted. "Yes?"

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‎She looked at Astra, who was sitting straight, but his eyes darted around the room as if he was searching for an escape. Richeza could sense something was off. Why did her father want her to be the one to look after him?

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‎"Richeza, you know the situation at school," her father continued. "Astra has lost his family in the recent incidents, just like others. He needs support."

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‎Astra looked at her, a flicker of hope in his eyes. Richeza felt a wave of responsibility wash over her. "I understand," she said slowly. "But why me?"

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‎"Because you are capable, and I need someone I can trust," her father replied.

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‎The burden of being the principal's daughter settled heavily on Richeza's shoulders. She wanted to be brave, but the shadows of fear loomed all around her.

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‎Richeza's heart pounded in her chest. The stories circulating through school were much worse than she had imagined. "Count on me" she breathed, meeting his eyes.

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‎Astra nods

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‎Her father cleared his throat. "Richeza, your primary responsibility is to keep Astra safe. We cannot let any more students fall prey to this monster."

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‎She nodded, determined but nervous. "I will do my best, Father."

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‎"Good. Astra will stay with us until further notice. You will show him around, help him adjust," her father instructed.

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‎Astra shifted in his seat, and Richeza could sense his discomfort. "What if the Crown Butcher comes after me too?" he whispered, his voice trembling slightly.

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‎"We won't let that happen," Richeza said, trying to sound brave. "You're safe here with us."

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‎Her father's gaze intensified. "Stay alert. We don't know how far the Crown Butcher will go. There are rumors that he may strike again."

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‎Richeza felt a chill race down her spine. How could she protect Astra when she was still scared herself? "What can we do?" she asked.

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‎"Observe everything. If you see anything suspicious, let me know immediately," her father instructed.

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‎As they left the office, Richeza fell into step beside Astra. Silence surrounded them, tension hanging heavy in the air. "What do you like to do?" she asked, trying to break the ice.

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‎He glanced at her, hesitating. "I used to play the guitar," he said softly.

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‎"Really? That's cool," Richeza smiled, trying to lighten his mood. "Maybe we can play music together."

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‎"Maybe," he replied, his smile faint.

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‎They walked to class, the whispers still echoing around them. With each step, Richeza felt a mix of fear and determination. She had a new duty, and she would figure out how to keep Astra safe. She had to be brave, not just for herself but for him too.

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‎And as they entered the classroom, Richeza knew this was just the beginning. The Crown Butcher was still out there, lurking in the shadows, and their lives would never be the same until he was caught.

Writer:VantaNebula

Second Writer:KiwiBee

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