A Secret

Rumors and speculation swirled among the students, each one grappling with the grim reality of the incident.

The once-safe haven of the academy was now tainted by the darkness of violence, leaving everyone in a state of unease.

Lucienna couldn't help but wonder if the mysterious cat's sudden disappearance and the murder were connected in some way.

The timing of it all felt too uncanny to be a mere coincidence. She decided to keep a vigilant eye on the developments, determined to unravel the unknown that seemed to be closing in around her.

As the day wore on, Lucienna found herself caught between the desire to uncover the truth and the need to maintain her secret identity as a member of a family full of superheroes.

The world around her had become more problematic and unsteady, and she knew that navigating these treacherous waters would require all the skills and perseverance she could muster.

'If only I could be as powerful as my parents...'

Lucienna sighed in distress. 

'Classes weren't canceled even if the death of one of the school's guards spread throughout the city. The academy is truly powerful.'

'I also saw no parents coming here to check on their children. That's more impressive! The amount of trust people give...'

Lucienna walked from the cafeteria to the school grounds. 'The elite society must be mostly composed of busy or cold-hearted people, parents to some extent. They cared too little for their children. I doubt they'd care if these kids die or survive in society!'

'Wait, those are my...'

Lucienna's day took an unexpected turn when she spotted her mother and second brother, Devan, standing on the school grounds. Her initial surprise gave way to curiosity as she approached them, her brother offering a friendly wave.

"Second Brother, why are you here?" she inquired, her brows furrowing in puzzlement.

"Mom is planning on donating a building to the school. She wants to check where they can start the project," Devan replied with a pat on Lucienna's head. His voice dropped to a soft whisper as he leaned closer. "You already know why we're here, kiddo."

Lucienna couldn't help but feel all kinds of emotions. Her mother's philanthropic initiatives often brought her to various locations, making her presence at the school seem like just another coincidence.

She mused, 'Mother must be visiting the scene of the crime. She's not here for me, similar to how many coincidences she makes to save people in different emergencies.'

Devan continued their conversation. Worry was etched in his voice. "Is your class done?"

Lucienna shook her head. "Not yet. I might get home late. I still have a dance practice, Brother. I'll get going..." She lied because she didn't feel like going home. 

Before she could depart, Devan offered a brotherly reminder, his protective nature shining through. "Do not go home past your curfew. It's too dangerous outside, especially with a new death case inside your school. Don't forget to call me if something happens."

"I brought my car with me, and Grandpa let me go without guards today. Please don't tell Mom, Brother. I'll take care of myself."

"Okay, I'll trust you once."

With her brother's words echoing in her mind, Lucienna made her way to the gymnasium hall of their school, her backpack slung over her shoulder.

She found a spot on the bleachers where she could watch the senior and junior students engage in their spirited basketball games.

The passage of time saw the day withered, and as the clock neared 6:00 P.M., Lucienna decided it was time to grab a meal outside the school. 'The council must be busy with the preparations for the upcoming acquaintance party.'

'Ah... It's freezing today. Will there be a low-pressure area hitting the country?' The corridors were nearly deserted, and the chilly wind ruffled her attire. It was then that an idea struck her.

She suddenly wanted to investigate the crime scene. 'Don't heroes go out to do crazy things at night when the weather is bad?'

Lucienna made her way to one of the comfort rooms, changing into an attire that would conceal her identity. 'Being a ghost doctor and wearing different kinds of disguises truly helps me, especially in times like this!'

She donned a hat and a mask and tied her hair up, concealing its actual length. With practiced accuracy, she tucked her bag into her space button, a considerate gift from her grandfather given the day before her sixteenth birthday.

'I look like a celebrity ready to escape some harmful paparazzi! Should I stop being a ghost doctor and enter the entertainment industry instead? Money is not bad doing that job, and I think with this face, I can debut immediately...'

"Grandpa is very thoughtful of me, though. He gifted such an expensive gift," she mused as she checked her disguise one last time, her confidence bolstered by the intelligent device.

With a stealthy decision, she ventured toward the scene of the crime, where caution tapes still hung, and the mysteries of the academy's recent tragedy beckoned her to solve their secrets.

'It's too muddy in here. Maybe rainwater flows in this area. There should even be less evidence to collect. I'll just try my luck!' With the intent to leave no trace behind, Lucienna meticulously prepared herself for her undercover investigation.

She donned disposable gloves, ensuring that her hands wouldn't leave any inadvertent proof behind, and covered her shoes with mops to avoid any telltale footprints. Her decision to unravel the mysteries surrounding the crime scene was headstrong.

Moving closer to the scene, Lucienna scanned the area for any potential pieces of evidence that might offer a clue to the tragic murder.

Her trained eye soon spotted something peculiar, and she carefully retrieved it. "An animal's fur?" she whispered to herself, her mind racing to understand its significance. 

Before she could delve further into her discovery, a group of armed individuals arrived at the scene, clearly better prepared than Lucienna. Panic briefly flickered in her eyes as she realized the situation's difficulty.

She swiftly retreated to the shadowy corners of the crime scene, observing the newcomers with caution. 'Who are they?' she wondered, her curiosity piqued.

'Are they here on behalf of a secret organization? But I don't remember any large clan or organization in the city bearing those insignia! Could they belong to a new power?'

Her anxiety intensified as she watched these individuals actively engage in cleaning the area, effectively erasing any potential evidence that might have remained.

Lucienna couldn't fathom their intentions. 'Why are they destroying the site?' she questioned silently, her instincts urging her to take swift action. 'They must be from the murderer's faction!'

In a calculated move, Lucienna made her escape from the crime scene, moving as quickly and discreetly as possible.

She found refuge in an empty room, where she changed back into her previous attire, leaving no trace of her activities behind.