The rain outside the shed slowly began to weaken. The loud thunder turned into distant rumbles, and the strong wind softened into a steady breeze. Inside, Group One remained quiet, thinking about what Daniel had just said.
"I'm hiding… myself."
Those words still echoed in the room.
Brian broke the silence first.
"So… when the storm ends… we'll still be stuck with homework, right?"
Renée laughed softly. "Brian, that's what you're worried about right now?"
Amani shook her head but smiled. "He's trying to lighten the mood."
Dimitris leaned against the wall. "Still… Daniel, that was brave."
Daniel stood near the corner, hands pressed against the sides of his box. He wasn't used to everyone looking at him like that—not with curiosity, but with respect.
Luna stepped a little closer to him.
"You don't have to rush," she said gently. "But… you don't have to stay hidden forever either."
Daniel nodded slowly.
Across the room, Odin watched silently. He didn't speak, but his thoughts were racing.
He's getting closer to her, Odin thought.
Closer than I expected.
---
After several minutes, the rain finally stopped.
Amani peeked outside through the door. "It's clearing."
Brian stretched his arms. "Finally! I thought we'd sleep in here."
Renée pushed the door open wider. Cool air rushed inside, fresh after the storm.
"Let's move before another cloud shows up," Dimitris said.
One by one, they stepped outside.
The ground was wet, and puddles reflected the cloudy sky. The air smelled clean, like fresh earth and grass.
Luna walked beside Daniel.
"You scared me a little back there," she admitted.
Daniel tilted his box slightly. "Sorry."
"Not in a bad way," she added quickly. "In a brave way."
Daniel stayed quiet, but inside, he felt something warm grow stronger.
---
As they walked back toward the dorms, Odin moved ahead slightly, hands in his pockets.
Brian splashed into a puddle on purpose.
"Oops," he said with a grin.
Renée groaned. "Brian!"
Dimitris shook his head. "You're impossible."
Amani carefully stepped around the puddles. "Some of us prefer dry shoes."
For a moment, laughter returned to the group.
But Daniel and Odin both stayed quiet.
Both thinking.
Both watching Luna.
---
When they reached the dorm building, Luna stopped near the entrance.
"Wait," she said.
Everyone turned toward her.
"I want to say something."
Renée crossed her arms. "Alright… go ahead."
Luna looked directly at Daniel.
"You don't have to show us everything today," she said. "But one day… I think you will."
Daniel froze slightly.
"Not because you have to," Luna continued, "but because you'll want to."
Daniel felt his heartbeat grow louder inside his ears.
Odin watched carefully, his expression unreadable.
"When that day comes," Luna added, "we'll be ready."
Brian nodded. "Yeah… we've already accepted the mysterious box guy."
Renée smirked. "You're part of Group One now. No escaping."
Amani smiled warmly. "We trust you."
Dimitris nodded once. "That's not easy to earn."
Daniel stood still, absorbing every word.
For the first time, the box didn't feel heavy.
It felt… temporary.
---
Later that night, inside the dorm, everyone settled into their beds.
Brian whispered across the room, "Today was insane."
Renée replied, "Storm, bridge, secrets… yeah, pretty insane."
Amani sighed. "Sleep. Tomorrow will be busy."
Lights went off.
Darkness filled the room.
But Daniel stayed awake again.
Not because of fear this time.
Because of a decision.
He slowly touched the edge of the box.
One day… I'll take this off, he thought.
Across the room, Odin also lay awake, staring at the ceiling.
His thoughts returned to Luna's voice.
Her kindness.
Her calm.
Her trust.
And something inside him shifted.
Not anger.
Not jealousy.
Determination.
I won't just watch from the side, Odin thought.
---
Meanwhile, Luna sat near the window in the girls' dorm, staring out at the moon.
She replayed the day in her mind.
Daniel's honesty.
Odin's quiet strength.
The storm.
The teamwork.
Her thoughts felt tangled.
Confusing.
But exciting too.
Something was changing.
Not just in Daniel.
Not just in Odin.
But in all of Group One.
---
Outside, the moonlight reflected on the wet paths of Will Stone Academy.
And inside Dorm 7B, one silent promise had been made:
Soon, the secret behind the box would be revealed.