*Chapter One: Life in Tumberville*
Tumberville wasn't a bad place to grow up. It wasn't particularly exciting either. For most, it was a town of routines—early morning commutes, weekend markets, and high school football games that drew the whole community. But beneath its everyday charm lay a quiet tension, an unspoken feeling that the town held secrets no one dared to question.
For the students of Tumberville High, life was about surviving another school day, dreaming of bigger cities, and trying to carve out a place for themselves in the sprawling town.
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*Ace Martin*
Ace adjusted his headphones as he crossed the front lawn of Tumberville High, the heavy bassline of his favorite song drowning out the chatter around him. Music was his armor against the world, a world that seemed to spin out of his control more with each passing day.
"Ace!" A voice cut through the beat, and he reluctantly slid one earphone off. It was Max, his best friend since third grade.
"You're late again," Max said, falling into step beside him.
"Yeah, slept in," Ace muttered, though that wasn't the truth. He'd been up for hours, listening to his parents argue over the phone. His dad was still in the house, but barely. His mom had taken an apartment on the other side of town, and they hadn't figured out how to split the time with him yet.
Max gave him a look but didn't press. "You ready for English? Mrs. Clarke's on a warpath today."
Ace sighed. He wasn't ready for anything today, but he forced a grin. "Yeah, let's do this."
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*Alice Creed*
At her locker, Alice Creed methodically rearranged her books, a habit she'd developed to avoid attention. Being invisible was better than being a target, and at Tumberville High, she'd learned that lesson the hard way.
"Hey, nerd!" The voice came from behind her, and Alice's stomach sank. She turned to see Craig and his crew smirking at her.
"Forgot your lunch money again?" Craig teased, holding out his hand like a caricatured bully from an old TV show.
Alice glanced around, but no help was coming. She shoved her glasses up the bridge of her nose and muttered, "Leave me alone, Craig."
"What was that? Speak up!" Craig leaned closer, and Alice flinched.
"Back off, Craig."
The voice came from the end of the hall. Jessy Stone stood there, arms crossed, her dark hair falling over one shoulder. Craig hesitated for a moment before scoffing and walking away.
Alice gave Jessy a small, grateful nod. "Thanks."
Jessy shrugged. "Don't thank me. Just don't let him see you sweat."
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*Jimmy Price*
In the cafeteria, Jimmy Price held court at the best table, surrounded by his usual crowd. He leaned back in his chair, flashing a grin as he told a story about his weekend adventures.
"...and then I told the guy, 'That's not a car—it's a golf cart!'" Laughter erupted around him.
Jimmy soaked it in, but his eyes flicked toward the clock. He had fifteen minutes before he had to call his dad's assistant. Another excuse about why he wouldn't be home for dinner. Again.
"Jimmy, you coming to practice later?" one of the football players asked.
"Maybe," Jimmy said with a lazy shrug. "Depends if I feel like showing off today."
The group laughed, but Jimmy's smile didn't quite reach his eyes.
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*Jessy Stone*
Jessy sat at the edge of the bleachers during lunch, eating a sandwich she'd packed that morning. She scanned the field below, watching as students mingled and laughed. The noise was comforting in a way—better than the silence that waited at home.
Her phone buzzed. A message from her mom: Can you pick up an extra shift tonight?
Jessy sighed, typing a quick reply. Yeah, I got it. She stuffed her phone back in her pocket and leaned back, closing her eyes for a moment.
"Stone, you daydreaming again?"
Jessy opened her eyes to see Ace standing in front of her, his ever-present headphones around his neck.
"Just resting," she said, smirking. "What's up?"
"Math homework. You done it yet?"
Jessy laughed. "Why, you want to copy?"
"Maybe." Ace grinned, and for a moment, Jessy forgot about everything waiting for her after school.
By the time the final bell rang, dark clouds had begun gathering over Tumberville. Students shuffled out of the building, grumbling about the sudden shift in weather.
As Ace pedaled his bike home, he glanced at the sky. A low rumble of thunder echoed in the distance, and for a moment, he thought he saw a flash of light near the old chapel on the outskirts of town.
Alice stayed late in the library, her notebook spread open as she sketched a new gadget design. The storm outside seemed to pull at her focus, the rumbling thunder almost like a heartbeat.
Jimmy drove his car toward the edge of town, music blasting as he tried to drown out the noise in his head. The storm felt oddly personal, like it was following him.
Jessy locked up the café and glanced at the sky. She had always loved storms, but tonight something about the air made her uneasy.
None of them knew it yet, but their lives were about to change forever.