Zack's POV

School's never felt so unwelcome before. Walking through Crestwood High's doors this morning, there's a chill in the air that's got nothing to do with the weather. I'm trying to shake off the dread when Zoe finds me by my locker, her eyes wide, her voice a whisper.

"Zack, something happened to Mr. Henderson," she starts, glancing around like she's afraid of being overheard. Her words send a shiver down my spine.

"What do you mean? What happened?" I ask, lowering my voice to match hers.

Before she can answer, Lily, of all people, sidles up to us. "What's going on?" she asks, curiosity piqued. I shoot Zoe a look, wondering if we should continue with Lily here.

"It's Mr. Henderson," Zoe says, undeterred. "He... it wasn't him anymore."

Lily laughs, but there's an edge to it. "What, did Mr. Henderson turn into a monster overnight? Is he still hot, though?"

Zoe's frustration is palpable. "I'm serious, Lily. Something's wrong with him."

I'm torn between skepticism and the earnest fear in Zoe's eyes. "Zoe, that's a bit out there, even for Crestwood," I say, trying to keep the conversation grounded.

But Zoe's insistent. "You didn't see him, Zack. Something... something went through him. And when he got up, his eyes... there was something evil in them."

Lily rolls her eyes but seems a bit less sure of herself. "You saw this? For real?" Her tone's changed, curiosity now mixed with a hint of concern.

"Yes," Zoe says, her voice barely above a whisper. "And I don't think we're safe. Any of us."

The warning hangs heavy between us. The bustling hallway, filled with the sounds of lockers slamming and distant laughter, suddenly feels too loud, too normal. How can everything just go on when there's a shadow hanging over us?

"Okay, Zoe," I say, trying to sound more confident than I feel. "Let's say something happened to Mr. Henderson. What do we do?"

Zoe looks between Lily and me, her resolve hardening. "We find out what got to him. Before it's too late."

Lily snorts, but it's half-hearted. "This is Crestwood. Weird shit happens all the time. But possessed librarians? That's new."

Despite the situation, I almost smile. Trust Lily to find the humor, however dark it might be. But looking at Zoe's face, the gravity of the situation sinks in. This isn't just another Crestwood legend. It's happening here and now, to someone we know.

"Alright," I finally say, the weight of leadership settling on my shoulders. "Let's figure this out. Together."

Zoe nods, a flicker of relief in her eyes. Lily shrugs, her casual demeanor not quite masking the concern beneath. "Count me in. But if this turns into some horror movie scenario, I'm out," she half-jokes.

We agree to meet after school, to try and piece together what's happening. As the bell rings, signaling the start of another day, I can't help but feel like we're stepping into unknown territory. The halls of Crestwood High have never felt so ominous, the laughter of students never so hollow.

Zoe's warning echoes in my mind as I head to class, the sense of foreboding growing with each step. Whatever's happening to Mr. Henderson, whatever Zoe saw, it's just the beginning. And I can't shake the feeling that we're in way over our heads.

Jess' POV

Stepping into the library, I'm fueled by a mix of irritation and a strange pull towards Mr. Henderson. Despite the shutdown last time, I can't help but want to understand him more, maybe even break through that stern exterior.

"Mr. Henderson," I start, hoping my voice sounds more confident than I feel. He looks up, and I brace myself for a warm smile, maybe even a hint of the interest I've convinced myself I saw last time.

Instead, his response is curt, almost cold. "Jess, I've told you, this isn't appropriate. Please focus on your academics."

I reel back as if slapped. The dismissal stings, igniting a fire in me. "Fine," I snap, pride wounded. I storm out, the library's silence amplifying the sound of my exit.

Fuming, I pace the hallway, my thoughts a whirlwind. Who the hell does he think he is? I decide I won't let him have the last word. Turning on my heel, I head back, ready to tell him exactly what I think.

But he's gone. The library, now eerily silent, seems to swallow my resolve. "Mr. Henderson?" My voice echoes, unanswered. I scan the area, frustration morphing into curiosity. Then, I notice it: the secret door, slightly ajar, a sliver of darkness beckoning from the back.

My anger forgotten, I approach, drawn by a mix of intrigue and a creeping sense of dread. The door leads down a narrow staircase, each step creaking under my weight, the darkness thickening with every descent.

At the bottom, a dimly lit room unfolds, candles casting long shadows against walls lined with ancient books. And there, in the center, is Mr. Henderson. But not as I've known him. He's hunched over a book, chanting in a language that sounds ancient, his voice unnaturally deep.

"Mr. Henderson?" I whisper, my voice trembling.

He stops, turning slowly. His eyes meet mine, and a chill runs through me. They're his eyes, but there's something in them that's... off.

"Jess, you shouldn't have followed me," he says, the warmth gone from his voice, replaced by something darker, more menacing.

"What are you doing?" The question barely leaves my lips before I wish I could take it back.

Oakley's POV

The chill in the room deepens, wrapping around me like chains. Inside, I'm a tumult of fear and resistance, screaming for control over my body, my voice.

"Jess, run!" is what I want to shout, but the entity within twists my words, turning them dark and venomous.

Jess's eyes, wide with confusion, shift to fear. "Mr. Henderson, what's happening?" Her voice trembles, echoing my own terror.

It's agony, knowing I should warn her, protect her, but being unable to as I'm imprisoned within myself. The entity uses my lips to smile, its gaze predatory as it locks onto Jess.

"You," it hisses through me, "will be a perfect vessel."

"No, not Jess. Please," I plead silently, my external facade betraying none of my turmoil. I begin to walk behind her

Jess's realization comes too late. Before she can move, I grab her head and twist it. I can hear the sickening snap of her neck. She collapses, and with her, my heart shatters. I'm powerless, watching as the darkness I've become whispers ancient, cursed words.

The ritual feels like an eternity, the entity's will enveloping Jess. A single tear escapes me, a rebellion, a testament to my lingering presence.

As the entity declares its victory, "She, too, is ours now," a part of me withers. Jess stirs, her neck snaps back into place and then her eyes opening to reveal a changed soul. My failure is complete.

"We must prepare," we say together, voices unified by the darkness.

Inside, I rage against this violation, but outwardly, I stand by Jess, bound by the entity's command.

Lily's POV

Ever since Zoe's frantic warning about Mr. Henderson, my mind's been a whirlwind of doubt and curiosity. Could there really be something dark lurking beneath Mr. Henderson's calm demeanor? The thought seems ludicrous, yet it's lodged in my brain, refusing to leave.

I'm lost in these thoughts, navigating the crowded halls of Crestwood High, when I bump into Jess. She looks... off, but I can't quite place why.

"Jess, you won't believe what Zoe's been saying," I blurt out before I can stop myself. "She thinks something's seriously wrong with Mr. Henderson."

Jess's reaction is immediate, her interest piqued in a way that sends a chill down my spine. "What exactly did Zoe say?" she presses, her tone urgent, almost desperate.

"She saw something happen to him. Something...not normal," I reply, unease creeping into my voice. The Jess I know would laugh this off, but today, she's different.

"We can't let Zoe spread panic," Jess mutters, almost to herself. Her next words freeze me in place. "Someone needs to shut that bitch up."

The horror of the situation begins to dawn on me. This isn't the Jess I know. My heart races as I realize I'm speaking to a stranger wearing Jess's face.

"Jess, what the fuck are you talking about?" I stammer, taking a step back. "Why would we shut Zoe up? I know she's not our friend but still that's messed up."

But Jess doesn't respond, at least not in a way that eases my growing terror. She just stares at me, her gaze unsettlingly intense. "Zoe knows too much. We can't have that."

Panic sets in, my mind racing. This isn't just about Mr. Henderson anymore. There's something far more sinister at play, and somehow, Jess is caught up in it.

"I...I gotta go," I manage to say, turning to flee. Jess's final words echo in my ears, a warning or a threat, I can't tell which.

As I distance myself, my thoughts are a jumbled mess. What's happened to Jess? And what did Zoe actually see? The halls of Crestwood High, once familiar and safe, now feel like a maze of shadows and secrets.

I need to find Zoe, to warn her about Jess. But more than that, I need answers. The darkness that's taken hold of Jess, and possibly Mr. Henderson, is spreading, and if we're not careful, it might consume us all.

The laughter and chatter of students around me sound distant, unreal, as if I'm hearing them from underwater. The reality of my situation is crystal clear, though: we're in danger, and whatever's happening, it's bigger and more horrifying than any of us could have imagined.

As the day drags on, my resolve hardens. Zoe, Zack, and I need to confront this evil, to save our friends and ourselves from the darkness that's infiltrating Crestwood High. But first, we need to survive.

The final bell rings, releasing me from the day's pretense of normalcy. I rush out, determined to find Zoe and Zack, to piece together the puzzle before it's too late.

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