The school bell rang sharply, signaling the end of the day. Rose leaned against the lockers, her hazel eyes scanning the hallway for her best friend, Kayla. The chatter of students echoed through the building, but something always felt off to Rose about Ridgewood High. It wasn't the peeling paint or the outdated architecture—it was something… beneath.
Kayla appeared, her dark hair swept into a ponytail, her face etched with excitement. "You're not gonna believe what I found in the library." She waved an old, dusty book.
Rose frowned. "What is it this time? Another ghost story?"
Kayla's grin widened. "Not just a story. Proof. This school was built over a graveyard."
"Shut up," Caston said, leaning against a nearby locker. His sharp blue eyes narrowed at Kayla. He always found a way to insert himself into conversations, especially when Kayla was involved. "You believe everything you read, don't you?"
Kayla rolled her eyes. "At least I read. Unlike you, Mr. Basketball Star."
Before Caston could retort, Marina and Laura joined the group. Marina, always the peacemaker, raised her hands. "Guys, can we not fight for once? What's this about a graveyard?"
Laura, quieter but with a sharp mind, adjusted her glasses. "If this is true, why hasn't anyone talked about it before?"
"Because they don't want us to know," Kayla said, lowering her
voice. "But I found maps, old documents. There's something seriously wrong here."
Rose hesitated. She'd always trusted Kayla's instincts, but this sounded far-fetched. Still, curiosity gnawed at her. "So what's the plan?"
Kayla grinned. "We're going to the graveyard tonight. The part they didn't cover up."
As the group exchanged uneasy glances, Caston scoffed. "This is ridiculous."
Kayla smirked. "Scared?"
"Of you? Never."
Marina sighed. "Well, if we're doing this, we need flashlights. And maybe shovels."
"Shovels?" Laura asked, her voice rising an octave.
"Just in case," Marina replied, though she sounded uncertain herself.
"Just in case," Marina replied, though she sounded uncertain herself.
The sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the school. The five teenagers stood at the edge of the woods behind Ridgewood High, flashlights in hand. The air grew colder, the silence more oppressive.
As they stepped into the graveyard, their bickering faded into nervous whispers. The ground felt soft under their feet, almost as if it were alive.
"Where do we start?" Rose asked, her voice barely audible.
Kayla held up her flashlight, revealing crumbling tombstones hidden among the overgrowth. "Here," she said.
But as they began to dig, they uncovered something far more horrifying than they ever imagined—a truth that would not only test their courage but also their bonds with each other.
Because the dead weren't resting in peace. And neither would they.