The air was thick with curiosity as the group gathered in the university courtyard. The sky had begun to turn dusky, casting long shadows over the concrete benches and rustling trees.
Rose: "He won't go there. No one with a sane mind would."
Harry (stepping forward defiantly): "I'm not afraid of anyone. I'll go."
Noah: "They say… shadows of jinn roam that place. It's cursed."
Henry: "I don't believe in jinn. Ghost stories don't scare me."
Oliver (grinning mockingly): "The sneaky group is always like this…"
Oliver and Henry had once shared a class in university, but their friend circles never mingled—Oliver belonged to a louder, more daring group, while Henry preferred peace and clarity.
Rose (snapping): "Hey! Don't call us cowards, banana peels!"
Oliver (smirking): "Then prove it. Go to Ravenshade Manor."
Rose: "If you're so curious, why don't you go?"
Henry: "Wow… nice comeback."
William (confused): "Wait, what's happening? Someone explain."
William and Lucas were Henry's close friends.
Noah (rolling his eyes): "You two don't need to worry. You're only good at eating and sleeping."
Lucas: "What the—"
Oliver (stepping in): "Midnight. Go to Ravenshade Manor. Face the shadows. Then you can say you're not cowards. It's a challenge."
Henry (without hesitation): "Challenge accepted. I'll go. I'm not afraid of anyone."
Rose (worried): "No, Henry! He's setting you up. That place... it's dangerous—especially at night."
Henry: "I don't care. I'll go, but I have one condition."
Oliver: "What?"
Henry: "If I complete this challenge, you have to accept whatever I say."
Oliver: "Fine. But I'll take you there myself."
Henry: "Alright. We'll meet tonight at midnight—right here."
Oliver: "Deal."
The group began to disperse.
Rose (softly): "Why did you say yes?"
Henry: "Because I'm not afraid. I want to prove it."
Noah: "You're insane, you know that?"
Henry: "No. That's why I'm going."
Henry left with a confident stride, but behind that front, unease crept in.
Rose (sighing): "This boy has lost his mind."
Henry (under his breath, to himself): "You're right. But now I can't back down."
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