The moment the grumbling noise echoed through the restroom, both Ava and the boy went completely still.
The sound was deep and unnatural, accompanied by the sickening crackling of ice shifting and spreading.
Ava felt her stomach drop.
Riley and Elise, who had been watching from outside, also froze.
From behind the slightly ajar stall door, something stirred.
A head peeked out—just a fraction.
A grotesque, ice-covered skull-like face, with frozen, jagged skin that looked like it had been carved from shattered glass. Hollowed-out eyes, tinted with a deep, eerie blue glow.
And then—
It moved.
The Frostborn shifted its head, tilting unnaturally as if trying to listen.
Then, in a sudden jerking movement, it slithered out of the stall.
Its steps were silent, but the cracking sound of ice forming on the tiles beneath its feet sent shivers through Ava's spine.
Riley and Elise immediately backed away from the entrance.
They pressed their backs against the outside wall, hands clasped tightly over their mouths to muffle their breathing.
Ava and the boy were still inside, both standing completely frozen in place, watching as the creature moved.
For a second, Ava thought—hoped—it would go the other way.
That it would simply follow the echoes of its own noise.
But then—
Ava's hand slipped.
It was just a tiny movement, her grip loosening slightly on the crowbar, but it was enough.
Her fingertips peeked out from behind the doorway.
And the Frostborn saw it.
It locked onto her immediately.
A guttural, icy roar burst from its throat, and the air instantly grew colder.
Ava felt her entire body seize with terror.
The boy's eyes widened as he saw the creature's sharp movements, its hunched frame suddenly lunging toward them.
The sheer speed at which it reacted was horrifying.
No hesitation. No delay.
It was coming.
"RUN!" Ava grabbed the boy's wrist, yanking him forward.
They bolted toward the entrance.
Ava's heart slammed against her ribcage as she reached out, grabbing the mop that had been leaning against the wall near the door.
The Frostborn twisted its head unnaturally and let out another roar, its entire body lurching forward.
Its feet slid across the tile, but it didn't slip—
Instead, it glided effortlessly, moving across the floor as if skating on ice.
Its long, frostbitten fingers extended, reaching for the boy's neck.
Ava yanked him forward at the last second.
The Frostborn's clawed hand swiped just inches from the boy's skin, nearly grazing him—
But missed.
The force of Ava's pull sent the boy stumbling forward, and he hit the ground, catching himself on his hands.
Ava didn't stop.
In a single, fluid motion, she slammed the restroom door shut behind them.
Click!
The lock snapped into place.
Her breathing was ragged, but she didn't hesitate.
She kicked the mop's wooden handle with the side of her foot, snapping it in half.
With quick, precise movements, she jammed the broken handle diagonally against the doorframe, reinforcing the lock.
It wasn't much—
But it might buy them time.
Just as she did, the Frostborn inside let out another shrill, inhuman cry.
Ava barely had time to turn when—
BAM!
The door shook violently as the creature slammed its fist against it.
The impact rippled through the elastic plastic material of the restroom door.
Ava's mind raced.
Although it made of plastic, the door still handled the impact, but it felt like it won't last long.
She stepped back just in time to see the boy push himself up from the ground.
He dusted off his shirt, looking more irritated than shaken.
"If it wasn't for you," he muttered, flexing his hands, "I was just about to smash that thing's head in."
Ava barely had time to process his words before—
Her fist swung forward.
Her knuckles collided with his stomach.
The boy gasped, doubling over instantly.
His face twisted in pain, his arms clutching his stomach as he let out a choked sound.
Ava simply glared at him.
The boy coughed, gasping for air as he doubled over from the impact of Ava's punch.
His entire world momentarily blurred, his breath caught in his throat as he winced in pain.
Ava's sharp, scornful voice cut through the tense silence.
"Never touch me again."
The words were cold and final, leaving no room for argument.
Riley and Elise, having witnessed the entire encounter, stepped forward.
They checked on Ava, their expressions briefly filled with concern—
Before their gazes snapped toward the boy.
Their eyes were filled with disdain.
The boy, still clutching his stomach, took in a deep breath.
The pain was slowly subsiding, and his senses were returning.
He forced himself to straighten up, his face still twisted in discomfort.
"…I'm sorry," he muttered, his voice low yet sincere.
"It was the situation… I wasn't trying to—"
Ava ignored him completely.
Her expression remained stoic, as if his words meant nothing to her.
With that, she turned on her heel and walked away.
Riley and Elise shot one last glare at the boy before following Ava, their movements brisk and decisive.
The boy hesitated.
His fingers twitched slightly, his mind racing with thoughts.
He glanced around the dimly lit hallway, the eerie silence pressing down on him.
He didn't want to be alone.
Taking in a sharp breath, he hurried after them.
"Wait!" he called out, his voice a whisper as he trailed behind them.
Ava didn't acknowledge him.
"Where are you going?" the boy questioned, still walking after them.
"This place isn't safe—going out like this without a plan is—"
Before he could finish his sentence—
Ava's hand shot out.
She grabbed the back of his head and pushed it down, forcing him to duck.
The boy's breath hitched as he nearly fell forward, but before he could react, he realized—
Ava, Riley, and Elise had all lowered their bodies, moving swiftly against the wall.
They were using the shadows and the cover of the corridor to navigate silently.
The boy gritted his teeth.
She didn't even need to say anything.
He quickly followed their lead, moving cautiously behind them.
Returning to the Classroom
The journey back to Class 11-E felt longer than it should have.
Every shadow, every flickering light, every distant noise kept them on edge.
Ava gripped the crowbar tightly, her knuckles turning white.
Riley's breaths were shallow, her eyes flickering nervously at every corner.
Elise kept a steady grip on Ava's arm, following her every movement closely.
The boy, despite his earlier comments, kept quiet.
For the first time since meeting him, Ava noticed he wasn't just talking for no reason.
He was observing. Listening. Moving silently.
When they finally reached the door of Class 11-E, the boy straightened up and brushed off his clothes.
Before he could even speak again, Ava swung the door open and stepped inside.
Riley and Elise followed—
And the boy hesitated for just a moment before entering behind them.
The second they stepped inside—
All eyes in the room turned toward them.
Ava walked in first, gripping the crowbar in her hand, her posture unwavering.
Riley and Elise came next, and then—
The boy.
Liam's gaze immediately locked onto him.
His brows furrowed, and he took a step forward.
The tension in the room shifted.
The air grew heavy, a silent understanding passing through the space.
Ilsa, who had been sitting near the supply bags, stood up abruptly.
She opened her mouth, about to say something—
But Liam interrupted her.
His voice was calm yet firm.
"Who is he?" His question was directed at Ava—but she didn't answer.
She simply walked past him.
Instead, Riley spoke up.
"We found him in the boys' restroom," she explained, crossing her arms.
Her voice carried a sharp edge as she continued, "He grabbed Ava out of nowhere—"
"I didn't grab her!" the boy interjected immediately, his voice slightly exasperated.
But Liam didn't react to his protest.
Instead, his piercing gaze remained locked onto him.
There was no anger.
No immediate hostility.
Just calculated silence.
The boy felt uneasy under Liam's stare.
He glanced around, eyes scanning the faces in the room.
His gaze landed on Mia.
For a moment—
He hesitated.
His eyes lingered on her slightly longer than necessary.
And then—
Finally, he looked back at Liam.
His expression calm and composed now.
With a small smirk, he took a step forward.
"I'm Mark."
His voice was steady, almost casual.
Then, he did something unexpected.
He extended his hand.
A handshake.
A simple gesture.
Yet—
As both Liam and Mark stood face to face, staring into each other's eyes—
The tension in the room thickened.
Neither of them looked away.
Neither of them moved.