The rest of the night after the letter felt stretched out, like time was moving in slow motion. Classes happened, people talked, the bell rang normally, but none of it reached Maliya properly. Everything around her felt crazy, like she was underwater and the world was somewhere far above her.
The moment she stepped back into the dorm after prep, closing the door behind her, the weight she'd been carrying all day finally pressed harder.
Khadija was lying on her bed reading, but her fingers stopped when she saw Maliya's expression.
"You look like someone told you Ridgeway is closing down," she said lightly.
Maliya didn't answer at first. She just sat on the edge of her bed, fingers fiddling with the hem of her hoodie. Then she let out a small breath.
"Khadija… something about this whole thing is weird."
Khadija rolled over to face her fully. "Weird how?"
"I don't know," Maliya said, shaking her head slowly. "I've been trying not to think too much, but I just… I can't shake it off. Something feels wrong."
Khadija sat up straight. "What exactly? The letter? The car? Cordell? Deciding our whole future without asking? Because personally, I'm still stuck on that part."
"No," Maliya said. "I mean… yes, all of that too. But it's more than that." She hesitated before saying it. "It's Matteo."
Khadija blinked. "Matteo?"
"Yes." Maliya looked at her hands. "When he saw the envelope, he changed. Like instantly. One moment he was fine, the next he was just… quiet. Off. And today he barely talked to us. Even Leo said hi and Matteo just looked straight ahead like he didn't hear him."
Khadija frowned. "Huh."
"And when we were in the cafeteria," Maliya continued, "he was sitting right there, but he looked far. Like he was thinking of something he doesn't want us to know."
Khadija sighed. "Maliya, babes, maybe he's just stressed? I mean, we all are."
"I thought that too," Maliya said softly. "But it feels like more. Like he already knew about all of this. Or like he's connected somehow."
Khadija's eyes widened a little, but she tried to hide it. "Ah ah, no now. You're overthinking. Matteo? Connected to some billionaire company? If he knew anything, he would have told us. He's not the type to hide something big."
Maliya wanted to agree, but the discomfort sat stubbornly in her chest. "Maybe. I don't want to think he'd hide anything. But something is off. I can feel it."
"Look," Khadija said, scooting closer, "you're stressed. We're all stressed. Your brain is doing overtime. Just breathe. Matteo is fine. He's just scared."
But even as she said it, a tiny flicker of worry passed through her eyes — and Maliya caught it.
"Khadija…" Maliya whispered. "You feel it too, right?"
Khadija looked away for a moment, biting her lip. "Maybe I just… noticed he was weird today. Just small. But it doesn't mean anything. Don't let your mind run wild. Please."
Maliya nodded slowly. "Okay. I'll try."
They both lay back on their beds, the silence settling between them — but not peacefully. It was heavy, like the silence was listening.
Minutes passed before Khadija spoke again, much softer this time.
"You know… if Matteo is hiding something, we'll find out. Maybe not today. But soon."
Maliya swallowed hard. "Yeah."
Lights-out came, but neither of them fell asleep quickly. The darkness made everything louder — the ticking of the hallway clock, their breathing, the echo of Maliya's thoughts.
The next morning arrived way too fast.
Ridgeway buzzed with its usual Friday noise, but something different filled the air: parents arriving, staff moving around with clipboards, students rushing to clean their lockers before they were seen.
Visiting Day.
At first Maliya wondered if the school would cancel it because of the letter. But no — everything was happening normally, almost suspiciously normal.
When they gathered in the assembly hall, the principal stood on stage with the polite smile he saved for parents.
"Good morning, Ridgeway families," he said warmly. "Today is a special day for reconnecting, reflecting, and celebrating our students."
Maliya glanced around the hall, watching parents wave as students ran to them. Some were carrying bags of snacks, others homemade food. The warmth made her heart twist a little — she loved visiting day, but this time everything felt overshadowed by the number "48."...Like they just had freaking 48 hours which was the next day.
Then she saw Leo hugging his mum like a koala. Amir's parents smiling proudly. Khadija's mother already scolding her for not oiling her hair properly. It made her laugh.
But Matteo… stood alone.
He was off to the side, hands in his pockets, staring at the doors. His jaw was tense. He wasn't pretending everything was okay — he wasn't pretending anything.
Khadija nudged Maliya. "His parents aren't here?"
"No," Maliya whispered.
The principal walked up to Matteo after a while, speaking quietly to him. Matteo nodded once, expression unreadable, then stepped away.
A few minutes later, the principal made an important announcement specifically to the four parents that whose childrenwere involved. He didn't mention Cordell directly — too risky with parents around — but he said:
"There is an important program your children have been selected for. All parents have been informed and have approved."
Maliya's mum squeezed her hand, smiling. "We're proud of you."
Maliya's stomach flipped. Proud? They didn't even know what this was.
For Matteo, the principal explained separately that his parents were unreachable, but his aunt had given consent. The woman was apparently very excited. Almost too excited.
Leo whispered, "That's suspicious, right? Right?? Just me?"
Amir elbowed him. "Shh."
When Visiting Day ended, the five of them were told to go back to the dorms and "prepare for the program." That did not make anything better.
The sun had already started to set by the time the black car arrived at the school gates — sleek, silent, and intimidating.
The principal walked them down personally, smiling like he was sending them to a summer camp.
"Don't worry," he said gently. "This is an opportunity that could change your lives forever. You are safe. Your parents are informed. Everything is under control."
None of them believed him fully.
The car door opened automatically.
Leo whispered, "This is how horror movies start oh."
Khadija swallowed. "Why am I suddenly feeling mafia energy? OMG. If we enter inside and see a man with dark glasses and a tattoo, I'm running. What if they kidnap us? Oh my God, are we entering a mafia headquarters unknowingly??"
Amir tapped her lightly. "Please. Be serious."
"I am serious," she said — but not really. She was half-joking, half-panicking.
Leo nodded dramatically. "Honestly, I agree with her. Something is giving… mafia vibes."
Maliya didn't laugh. She kept watching Matteo as they got in. He was stiff, not saying a word, eyes fixed forward. She couldn't tell if he was scared or hiding something.
The drive felt long. Too long.
But the building made them forget everything else — tall, glass, massive, glowing with blue lights. It didn't look like a corporation.
It looked like a place where secrets lived.
Inside, everything was even more intimidating — white marble floors, huge screens, staff in grey uniforms with the winged circle symbol.
Maliya felt a cold shiver run down her spine.
She leaned toward Khadija. "I don't like this. Something is wrong."
Khadija whispered back, "My sister, I feel the same. Why do I feel mafia energy around?? Why does this place scream criminal laboratory? Oh God, are they cloning children here??"
Leo covered his mouth to hide a laugh. "Honestly… same."
They were led to a waiting room with glass walls and silver chairs. "The president will see you shortly," a staff member said.
They sat. For a while, no one spoke.
Then Leo, unable to stay quiet, blurted suddenly:
"Matteo… you're Italian. You should know these things. Is this a mafia lab? Or secret criminal headquarters? Am I right or am I right?"
It was a joke — a stupid joke — but Matteo didn't laugh.
He didn't even smile.
He turned and looked at Leo with a cold expression that made the room feel smaller. His eyes were sharp, unreadable, and too serious.
Khadija gasped. "Bro… what the hell? It was a JOKE."
The look broke. Matteo blinked hard, like waking up from a trance. "I'm sorry," he said quietly. "I didn't mean to— I'm just… not comfortable here."
They all stared at him.
No one said anything else.
They didn't need to.
Because they all felt it now — something was wrong.
Very wrong.
And whatever was coming next…
they weren't ready for it.