This was where decisions could end careers, shut down programs, or change lives forever. Inside a conference room sat a long table, sleek, modern, and intimidatingly clean. At one end sat the district investigator, Miss Alexandra Pierce, known for her calm precision and zero tolerance for misinformation. She had a reputation for uncovering truth even when institutions tried to bury it. Today her expression was unreadable.
Across from her sat Nadira back straight, hands folded gently, her breathing measured. She looked smaller than the room but stronger than anyone inside it. Next to her was a district-appointed advocate, quietly reviewing notes. At the opposite side of the table sat the Blaze jackets with their parents and a lawyer from a local firm known for representing athletes facing disciplinary action. Riker looked hollow.
Zayn jittered his leg non-stop. Trent wiped sweat from his temple. Milo stared down at the table, eyes bloodshot. Officer Ramirez stood by the door, arms crossed. Dean Marlo and Principal Rowan sat quietly along the wall, waiting to be called.
Miss Pierce opened a folder, clicking her pen twice. "Good morning. We are here to review the events from yesterday's rooftop incident, as well as evidence related to a previously concealed 2023 case. All individuals will speak one at a time. There will be no interruptions.
"Is that clear?" The room murmured. Yes, Pierce nodded sharply. "Let's begin with evidence." We require everything.
Rooftop footage, livestream files, student recordings, maintenance camera logs, written statements, medical notes, all of it. Dean Marlo stood, placing a thick stack of documents on the table. You'll find full copies here, including the rediscovered maintenance video. Pierce flipped through the pages, her eyes narrowing. "This is extensive and damning."
She turned to the boys. Riker Hail, Zayn Whitlock, Trent Duvil, Milo Ashford. You will now give your statements. Riker's lawyer leaned forward, whispering urgently. Riker tried to straighten his posture, but failed.
His voice shook. "She—she attacked us. We were defending ourselves." Nadira, she's stronger than she looks. We panicked.
It wasn't what it Pierce raised a hand. We have footage of you grabbing her, forcing her head into water, coordinating an assault and charging her near a ledge. "Do not insult my intelligence." Riker's mouth snapped shut. Zayn tried next, words spilling out too fast.
"It wasn't supposed to be like that," Riker told us. He said, "She Look, it just happened." Trent jumped in immediately. "No, Zayn's lying. He's the one who started it."
Shut up, Trent. You hit her with the bucket. At least I didn't try to shove her off the enough, Pierce commanded. Silence dropped like a blade. The boys slumped back, unraveling under pressure.
Miss. Pierce scribbled notes with exacting strokes, documenting every contradiction. Then she turned to Nadira. "Miss Cole, tell us everything." Nadira inhaled deeply, not nervously, purposefully.