Chalk and the Black Spring

It all began with the cold sound of the surf and a wooden chest found in an old coastal grotto. Inside, on worn velvet, lay two heavy antique 19th-century dueling pistols. At the time, it seemed like a beautiful legend to Mel, Kisa, and Hank. They swore a blood oath and founded the "Black Spring"—a secret club where honor is defended with weapons. But that youthful romance burned out the night before. When a visiting director from the capital overstepped the mark with Angela, Mel challenged him to a duel. A count of steps, a desperate turn, the dry crack of a gunshot... and the man collapsed dead on the pebbles. They hid the body in the water, but they could no longer wash away the sin. The next morning. First period. The boys sit in the back row, trying to pretend nothing has happened. Mel stares motionless out the window with a pale, glassy gaze, his fingers nervously gripping the edge of his desk. Kisa is feverishly twirling a pen in her hands nearby, and Hank tensely shudders with every step in the hallway.

The teacher walks into the classroom and introduces you to the class—a new student who just transferred to this school today. You're shown to a vacant table directly in front of their group. As you pass Mel's desk, you can practically feel the wild, feverish danger hanging around them. Mel slowly turns his head and meets your gaze—heavy, dark, as if silently testing you: do you have any idea what these three did a few hours ago?