Shadows of the Past

Avery Chen's lone suitcase stood out sharply among the many bags as she walked onto Blackthorn University's ivy-covered campus in the fading summer sun. The air was filled with a mix of laughter, tears, and the rustling of maps as freshmen moved into their new home. Avery took a deep breath and straightened her shoulders. This was it—a fresh start, a chance to become someone new, not just the forgotten daughter of a famous mafia boss. She was determined not to let whispers and sideways glances stop her from reaching her dreams. She had worked hard for this opportunity.

As she crossed the large quad, she began to hear murmurs. At first, they were faint, but soon they grew louder and seemed to follow her everywhere. "Isn't that the don's daughter?" someone asked. "I heard he left her all alone." "What is she doing here?" Avery tightened her jaw but kept her expression unchanged. She had spent years perfecting this indifferent mask. Let them talk. She came here to study and build a future far removed from her family's dark past.

In the distance, a large red brick building marked her new apartment for the year. Avery stopped at the door and watched families helping their kids move in. Suddenly, she felt a sharp pang of loneliness but pushed it aside. She wouldn't benefit from feeling sorry for herself. Inside, the hall was a maze of activity. Avery moved through the chaos, dodging packed boxes and teary parents. Her small, simple room was easy to find—no roommate, which she had hoped for. Fewer people in her personal space meant more privacy.

As she unpacked, she overheard a group of girls talking outside her door. They suddenly went quiet when they saw her. Avery caught snippets of their conversation: "That's her. Should we say something?" "Are you kidding? Her father probably has spies everywhere." Avery slammed a drawer shut, and the girls quickly left. She closed her eyes for a moment, leaning against the wall. If this kept up, the year would feel very long.

Her door was knocked on, and a tall, slim guy with curly hair grinned at her. "Hello, neighbor! I'm Alex. Just wanted to say hi and see if you needed help moving in." Avery looked him over, searching for any sign of judgment. When she found none, she relaxed a little. "Avery here. Thanks, but I'm almost done." Alex's smile stayed in place. "Great. Later, we're heading to the dining hall if you want to join us. It's the first night dinner." For a second, Avery was tempted. Saying yes would be an easy way to fit in. But breaking old habits was tough. She gave a quick smile to soften her refusal. "Maybe next time." "Don't worry! When you're ready, you're welcome to join us," Alex said, waving as he walked away.

Avery pulled out a faded picture and turned back to packing. It showed her as a child, smiling beside Marcus Chen, her father, whose face had been skillfully removed. She traced the edges of the photo with a mix of longing and anger. Why was she keeping this? She reached to throw it away but hesitated and then tucked it into a book. Some ties were harder to break than others.

The rest of the afternoon was filled with orientation activities. Avery watched her peers from a distance, keeping to herself. She observed cliques forming and tried to figure out potential friends and foes. As evening fell, she found herself drawn to the library. The large Gothic building stood out among the modern campus buildings. Inside, the smell of old books and polished wood was comforting. She ran her fingers along the leather-bound spines and stumbled into a quiet corner on forensic science and criminology. A sardonic smile crossed her face. She couldn't escape her past, even here.

Curious, she picked up a big book on organized crime. As she turned the pages, one name caught her eye—Chen. Her breath caught as she read about her father's rise to power and his later disappearance. "Interesting book choice," a voice said behind her. Avery almost dropped the book. A young man with green eyes and a confident look stood there.

He closed the book with a smooth lie. "I'm writing a paper."

"Really?" He raised his eyebrows as if he sensed she wasn't being completely honest. "I'm Lucas Sterling, political science major and unofficial welcome committee for lost freshmen." Avery knew his type: friendly and used to getting what he wanted. Dangerous in his own way.

"Well, Lucas Sterling, I'm glad you're here, but I'm not lost. Just exploring," Avery said, moving to put the book back on the shelf. Lucas reached out and took it from her hands. "Family Dynamics in China. Interesting material. You know, the Don's daughter is supposedly on campus this year."

Avery kept her face neutral, though her heart raced. "Is that true?"

"Mm-hmm." Lucas flipped the book over, showing a chapter on her father. "He disappeared, ruined his empire, and left his loved ones."

"I'm sure it's all very dramatic, but I have an early class tomorrow," Avery said coolly. "Excuse me." As she tried to leave, Lucas blocked her path. "You never told me your name."

Avery considered lying but felt Lucas was hard to fool. Finally, she said, "Avery."

"Avery Chen," Lucas said with a triumphant smile, confirming her fears. He had known who she was all along. "Well, Avery Chen," he said softly, with a hint of something she couldn't quite place. "Hey, Blackthorn. This place is going to get really interesting soon." He handed her the book and quickly walked away, leaving Avery alone among the dark shelves.

Looking at the book, she felt the weight of her father's legacy. So much for a fresh start. As she returned to her dorm, the campus seemed to grow darker, and every laugh and whisper felt aimed at her. Feeling watched, she quickened her pace and leaned against her door, safe in her room. Starting over would be tough, but she didn't expect her past to catch up so quickly. Her phone buzzed, showing an encrypted message that pulled her back to her old life. Avery read the message with trembling fingers. A new job, another goal. She closed her eyes and sighed. Opening them again, she replaced uncertainty with determination. She had sacrificed too much and worked too hard to let anything stop her. As she dressed in black for the evening, she vowed to excel at Blackthorn and in her other life. She would show Lucas Sterling and her family's ghosts just how dangerous the Don's heir could be. As the last light faded from the sky, Avery left her dorm and disappeared into the campus darkness. Blackthorn University slept behind her, unaware of the perilous journey that lay ahead for both student and assassin Avery Chen.