As the world resumed its usual rhythm, I stared at her, waiting for Ashley to speak.
"So, what do you want to say, Soren?" Ashley asked.
"Yes, umm... I forgot. Well, forget about it," I replied, a bit flustered.
"Hey, you can't just change the subject like that!" she exclaimed.
"Yeah, yeah, but anyway, did you hear? School is tomorrow. Are you thinking of going?" I questioned, eager for her response.
"Yeah, I wasn't planning on it, but I have to—I have a test," she said.
"See, I'm going because I need to meet a friend I haven't talked to in a while," I added.
"Can you shut up? It's too early in the morning for you all to be talking at this time," Fang grumbled as he stepped out of his room, dressed in a simple grey hoodie and sweatpants, his human form devoid of the tail and scales he usually wore.
"You know you can always leave, right?" I shot back.
"Never mind. Talk as much as you want. I'm just going to eat," Fang said, stepping away toward the doorway.
As the thought crossed my mind, I asked, "What time is it?"
"It's currently 8:00 AM, and don't you and Ashley have school tomorrow?" Fang replied as he opened the door.
"I guess you're right. Well, I better get ready. Oh, and Ashley, you can stay here and maybe we can go out to watch a movie or something. And yes, Fang, you can join us," I suggested.
"Glad you know movies are my type. Well, I've got to go now. See you all later!" Fang said with a wave as he closed the door behind him.
"Well, Ashley, want to go for a walk?" I proposed.
"Yeah, sure. Let's go; I have nothing better to do," Ashley replied with a hint of enthusiasm.
"Sweet!" A small smile crept onto my face.
At the Movie Theater
Everything went perfectly. We watched a movie, wandered around, and nothing felt out of place during the day.
Yet, something nagged at me—the Covenant hadn't attacked in a long while. Perhaps the Architect was preparing for something big. But what could it be?
I tried to brush off the unsettling feeling. However, I wasn't entirely accurate in my assumption.I noticed a man with white hair, around my age, dressed in a white shirt and black pants. He bore a symbol [♤] on his attire, and his eyes were obscured by sunglasses—creepy, considering it was a rainy day with no sun in sight.
He seemed to follow us, but I could see his shadow, a technique I had learned from Umbros. The atmosphere felt dark, suggesting danger.
I had no idea who that man might be, but one thought echoed repeatedly in my mind:
STAY AWAY.
Just as I turned around, he seemed to vanish. The evening rolled on smoothly, but my mind remained restless.
The Next Morning
I woke up to the sound of my alarm blaring and Fang's snores echoing throughout my mind. Despite the chaotic start, I knew I had to prepare for school.
I quickly went through my morning routine, opting for a simple black shirt and pants.
As I gathered my belongings, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. The encounter with the mysterious man lingered in my mind, and I felt a sense of dread about returning to school.
After a quick breakfast with Fang, who was still half-asleep, we both headed out the door. The sky was overcast, mirroring my mood as I walked alongside Ashley, who seemed oblivious to my unease.
"Are you ready for today?" she asked, trying to lighten the atmosphere.
"As ready as I can be," I replied, forcing a smile.
Little did I know, the day would hold more than just tests and classes. The ominous presence I'd sensed yesterday was still looming, and my instincts warned me that the return to school was merely the beginning of something far more significant.
As we arrived at the school gates, the familiar sights and sounds enveloped me, but beneath it all, an unsettling tension simmered.
I glanced around, half-expecting to see the white-haired man lurking in the shadows.
"Hey, Soren, are you coming?" Ashley called, snapping me back to reality.
"Yeah, I'm right behind you," I said, pushing my worries aside for now. After all, I had friends to rely on, and together, we could face whatever challenges lay ahead.
But as I stepped through the school doors, I couldn't shake the feeling that the calm before the storm was about to break.
The School Day Begins
As I stepped through the school doors, the familiar cacophony of chatter and laughter engulfed me. Students rushed past, some heading to their lockers, while others congregated in small groups, animatedly discussing their plans for the day.
I took a deep breath, trying to shake off the unease that clung to me like a shadow.
"Let's find a spot in the cafeteria," Ashley suggested, pulling me along. Her enthusiasm was contagious, momentarily distracting me from my worries.
As we entered the cafeteria, the scent of breakfast lingered in the air. We grabbed our usual seats at a table near the window, where sunlight filtered through the glass, casting warm patches on the floor.
"Did you study for the test?" Ashley asked, her eyes sparkling with a mix of excitement and apprehension.
"A little. I'm mostly good with the material, but I could use a refresher," I admitted, taking a sip of my orange juice.
Just then, Fang joined us, plopping down with a tray piled high with food.
"You guys ready for the most epic day ever?" he declared, his mouth half-full.
"Sure, if by 'epic,' you mean a day filled with tests and lectures," I retorted, rolling my eyes playfully.
"Come on! It's not all bad. We'll survive, and then we can hit the movies again!" Fang replied, grinning.
As we chatted, I couldn't help but glance around, scanning the cafeteria for any sign of the white-haired man. Anxiety gnawed at me, but there was no trace of him. Perhaps I was overreacting, letting my imagination run wild.
The First Class
The bell rang, signaling the start of first period. I gathered my things and headed to history class with Ashley and Fang.
The teacher, Mr. Thompson, was known for his engaging lectures, but today, I found it hard to concentrate. My mind kept drifting back to the man I had seen the previous day.
"Earth to Soren!" Ashley whispered, nudging me. "You with us?"
"Yeah, sorry. Just thinking about… stuff," I replied, forcing a smile.
Suddenly, the classroom door creaked open, and in walked a substitute teacher.
The moment I saw his white hair and dark sunglasses, my heart raced. It couldn't be—could it?
"Sorry for the interruption," he said in a calm voice. "I'll be substituting for Mr. Thompson today."
I exchanged worried glances with Ashley and Fang, who seemed oblivious to my alarm.
The substitute introduced himself as Mr. Aris and began passing out papers for an impromptu quiz.
As he moved closer to my desk, a chill ran down my spine. I could feel his gaze on me, and I fought the urge to look up.
"Are you ready for the quiz, Soren?" Mr. Aris asked, his voice smooth but laced with something unsettling.
"Uh, yeah. Sure," I stammered, trying to maintain my composure.
He smiled slightly, but there was something predatory in that smile which made my Crimson Stone light up in my bag which isn't normal
The Lunch Break
Once the class ended, I quickly escaped to the cafeteria, my mind racing.
"I swear he's the same guy from yesterday!" I exclaimed to Ashley and Fang.
Ashley raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure? It could just be a coincidence."
"No, it's not! He was wearing the same sunglasses, and his hair is—"
Before I could finish, the cafeteria doors swung open, and Mr. Aris walked in, his eyes scanning the crowd.
The Aftermath
As the day progressed, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being watched.
After school, I shared my concerns with Ashley and Fang as we walked home.
"If he's really connected to the Covenant or the Architect, we need to stay alert," I said.
"Sounds like a plan," Fang agreed.
Ashley nodded. "Let's keep our heads down and try to act normal for now."
With a newfound sense of determination, we walked home, ready to face whatever challenges awaited us.
But i spent the whole without seeing Maya and her friends