Chapter 27: I’ve seen that face before…
The scent of roasted beans hung in the air as Miles sat alone at a corner table, nursing a cup of black coffee—silent, still, unreadable.
Across from him, at a separate table near the windows, Celina, Becky, and Rose sat together with trays of half-touched lunch. The buzz in the cafeteria wasn’t about assignments or weekend plans today.
It was all about one name.
"The Paradise Club."
Whispers slithered between students like smoke.
"Did you hear? It burned down last night."
"I saw pictures online—nothing but ashes."
"Someone said it was targeted. Like, a real hit."
"Do you think it’s connected to that gang violence from last year?"
Celina quietly sipped her juice, eyes occasionally darting toward Miles. Becky leaned closer and whispered, "Hey... isn’t this the same club we were at last night?"
"Shhh—don’t say it out loud," Celina whispered back.