The morning air in Emberwood carried a subtle chill,but the town buzzed with excitement for the upcoming Festival of Lights. Ivy walked into school,her bag slung over her shoulder, her thoughts clouded by last night''s encounter with Logan in the woods.His cryptic warning lingered in her mind,replaying like a broken record.


    Emily caught up to her at the entrance,her curls bouncing as she grinned."You look like you''ve seen a ghost,"she teased."What''s up with you?"


    "Nothing,"Ivy said quickly."just tired."


    Emily wasn''t buying it,but before she could press any further, their attention was drawn to a group of students crowded around the bulletin board.


    "Its here!"someone exclaimed.


    Ivy and Emily pushed through the crowd to see the official participant list of the Festival of Lights Competition. Ivy’s name was near the top,followed  by other familiar names-including Logan Hayes.


    Emily let out a low whistle."Looks like your Competition just got a lot tougher."


    Ivy frowned her eyes lingering on Logan''s name.Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.


    They went straight ahead to their class and time strolled like air and soon it was time for lunch.


    The cafeteria  buzzed with chatter but Ivy''s mind was elsewhere.She poked at her food as Emily rattled on about her plans for the Festival.


    "You''re not listening, are you?"Emily said exasperated.


    "Sorry,"Ivy muttered."I''m just......distracted."


    Emily leaned in,lowering her voice."is this about Logan?Because you''ve been acting weird ever since his name appeared on the list."


    Ivy hesitated,debating whether to tell Emily about the woods.Finally,she said,did you know his house was one of the ones in the fire five years ago?"


    Emily''s eyes widened, "I''ve heard about it.They said it started in the woods ,but no one knows how."


    "That''s not all,"Ivy said."Last night, I ran into him in the woods.Hr warned me to be careful, but he wouldn''t say why."


    Emily''s expression shifted from curiosity to concern. "Do you think it has something to do with the fire?"


    "I don''t know, but he''s kind of ....creepy. "Ivy admitted. "But I think I should get some information cause this thing it''s not adding up."


    After school she noticed Logan waiting by the bike rack agai.This time,she didn''t avoid him,cause she needed some clarification about the whole issue with the fire saga.


    "What is it with you and cryptic warnings?"she demanded as she approached.


    Logan raised an eyebrow."You''re still thinking about that?"


    "Of course I am!You don''t just say something like that and expect me to forget."


    Logan sighed,running a hand through his hair."Look,it''s not safe to talk about this here.Meet me at the old greenhouse after sunset.I''ll explain everything.


    Ivy hesitated,uncertainty flickering in her eyes.


    "Trust me."Logan added,his voice softer,"You need to know"