Adrian stormed out of the organizers’ office, his mind still racing with frustration. The echo of the door slamming behind him lingered as he made his way back to the festival grounds. His sharp gaze swept across the bustling activities, but his thoughts were fixed on Elena and what could have happened if he hadn’t acted in time.
The festival’s lively energy seemed at odds with the storm brewing inside him. The smell of fried snacks and the distant cheers from the football field blended into the background as Adrian’s long strides carried him toward the medical tent.
Elena sat on a chair inside, her arms wrapped around herself as a nurse cleaned a small scrape on her elbow. Her eyes were distant, and her normally lively expression was replaced by exhaustion and unease.
Adrian paused at the entrance, watching her silently for a moment. She looked small and fragile, and despite himself, his anger shifted into something softer concern.
“Elena,” he called, his voice steadier now, though it still carried an edge of authority.
She looked up at him, startled. “Professor,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
Adrian stepped closer, his hands in his pockets as he tried to keep his tone calm. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m fine,” Elena said quickly, though her trembling hands betrayed her.
Adrian raised an eyebrow. “You don’t look fine.”
Elena bit her lip, avoiding his gaze. She hated feeling weak, and admitting she wasn’t okay felt like giving in to everything Mia and her group wanted.
The nurse finished tending to her and gave Adrian a small nod before leaving the tent, giving them some privacy.
“Elena, look at me,” Adrian said, his tone firm but not unkind.
Reluctantly, she lifted her eyes to meet his.
“I need you to be honest with me,” he said. “What happened on that climbing wall wasn’t an accident. Someone tampered with the ropes.”
Her eyes widened in shock. “What? Are you sure?”
Adrian nodded. “Yes. I don’t have proof yet, but I’ll find it. Until then, I need you to stay alert. Don’t go anywhere alone.”
Elena’s heart sank. The realization that someone had deliberately put her in danger was almost too much to bear. “Who would do something like that?”
Adrian’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t answer. He had his suspicions, but he didn’t want to alarm her without evidence.
“Just trust me on this,” he said instead. “And if you notice anything strange, tell me immediately.”
Elena nodded slowly, her mind spinning with thoughts of who could be behind it. Deep down, she had a feeling Mia might be involved, but she couldn’t bring herself to say it out loud.
Adrian straightened, his expression softening slightly. “You should rest for now. The festival is still going on, but you’ve been through enough for one day.”
“I don’t want to leave,” Elena said firmly, surprising herself with the determination in her voice. “I’m not going to let whoever did this scare me away.”
Adrian studied her for a moment, his lips pressing into a thin line. “You’re stubborn,” he said, almost to himself.
“Is that a problem?” she shot back, a flicker of defiance in her eyes.
A small, almost imperceptible smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “No. Just don’t push yourself too hard.”
With that, he turned and walked out of the tent, leaving Elena alone with her thoughts.
Outside, the festival continued as if nothing had happened. Students moved between events, their laughter and chatter filling the air. Adrian’s eyes scanned the crowd, searching for any sign of suspicious activity. His mind kept replaying the moment Elena fell, the sound of the snapping rope, and the way her fear had mirrored his own panic.
He spotted Marcus and Andrew near the football field, discussing the day’s events. Without hesitation, he approached them.
“Adrian,” Marcus greeted, his expression a mix of concern and admiration. “How’s Elena?”
“She’s shaken but okay,” Adrian replied. “I just came from the organizers’ office. This wasn’t an accident it was sabotage.”
Andrew’s eyes widened. “Sabotage? Are you sure?”
“Positive,” Adrian said firmly. “The rope didn’t fray on its own. Someone tampered with it.”
Marcus’s face darkened. “Who would do such a thing? This is supposed to be a safe event.”
Adrian’s gaze flicked toward the crowd, landing briefly on Mia, who was surrounded by her usual group of followers. She was laughing, her expression carefree, but Adrian didn’t miss the way her eyes darted toward him when she thought he wasn’t looking.
“I have my suspicions,” he said quietly, his tone cold.
Andrew followed his gaze and frowned. “Mia? Do you really think…”
“I don’t think,” Adrian interrupted. “I know. But I need proof before I can do anything about it.”
Marcus nodded. “Let us know if you need help. This kind of behavior can’t go unpunished.”
“It won’t,” Adrian said firmly.
As the evening approached, the festival grounds became even livelier. The final rounds of competitions were drawing closer, and the air was thick with anticipation. Elena decided to stay near the main stage, where the awards ceremony would later take place.
Despite Adrian’s warning, she felt a sense of stubborn pride. She didn’t want to be seen as weak or scared. But every time she thought about the climbing wall, a shiver ran down her spine.
Adrian stayed nearby, keeping a close eye on her from a distance. He wasn’t the kind of person to hover, but he wasn’t taking any chances either. His sharp instincts and years of experience told him that whoever had sabotaged the rope might not be done yet.
As the sun dipped lower in the sky, the festival’s lights began to glow, casting a warm, golden hue over the grounds. Music played in the background, and the atmosphere grew even more festive. But for Adrian, the day wasn’t over until he had answers.
He watched as Mia moved through the crowd, her laughter grating on his nerves. Her act was convincing, but Adrian wasn’t fooled. He caught her eye briefly, and she quickly looked away, a flicker of guilt crossing her face.
Adrian’s jaw clenched. The festival might be about sports and camaraderie, but for him, it had become something else entirely a battle to protect one of his students from an unseen enemy.
And he wasn’t about to lose.