Every creak of the benches and every shuffle of a foot felt amplified, threatening to draw the attention of the strangers who prowled closer with each passing moment.
The strangers were methodical, sweeping their gazes across every corner as if they knew we were there, even if they couldn't yet see us.
"We're running out of time," Yike whispered, his voice calm but urgent. His hand rested lightly on my arm, as though he could physically anchor me to the moment.
I wanted to demand answers, to shake him and force him to explain how he knew so much about what was happening. But there wasn't time. Not now.
As one of the strangers paused near the edge of the stage, their head tilting slightly as though listening for something.
My heart skipped a beat. Had they heard us? Baihe's grip on my arm tightened, her fear radiating through her trembling fingers.
The stranger turned abruptly and started up the stairs toward the seating area.
Their movements were precise, almost robotic, and it sent a chill down my spine.
They weren't like normal people—that much was clear. Their blank expressions and the unnatural way they moved made them seem more like living shadows than humans.
"Move," Yike hissed, his grip on my arm pulling me sharply out of my paralysis. "Now."
We ducked low, crawling toward the far side of the amphitheater where the shadows were deepest.
The others followed, their movements hesitant and uneven.
My pulse thundered in my ears as we made our way toward the exit, every step feeling like an eternity.
But then, as we neared the edge of the seating rows, one of the younger students stumbled.
The sound of their fall—a muffled thud—cut through the stillness like a gunshot. My breath caught, and for a moment, the world seemed to hold its breath.
The stranger turned sharply, their gaze snapping toward the noise.
They began moving toward us, their steps quick and purposeful. Panic surged through the group, and Zichen let out a soft curse under his breath.
"Go!" Yike commanded, his voice low but firm. "Run!"
As we bolted for the exit, our movements frantic and chaotic. The sound of footsteps—ours and theirs—echoed through the amphitheater, a cacophony of fear and pursuit. My legs burned as I sprinted, Baihe close on my heels.
I glanced back to see the strangers closing in, their movements unnervingly fast and unrelenting.
One of them reached for Zichen, their hand brushing against his shoulder as he stumbled. He let out a cry, twisting away and narrowly avoiding their grasp.
My chest tightened as I watched, the distance between us and them shrinking with every step.
"This way!" Yike shouted, leading us toward a side door that opened into the school building.
The door creaked as we pushed through, slamming it shut behind us. The sound reverberated through the empty halls, and for a moment, we were enveloped in silence.
But it didn't last.
The muffled sound of footsteps outside sent a fresh wave of panic through the group.
"They'll find us," Baihe whispered, her voice trembling.
"What do we do?"
Yike's gaze was steady, his expression unreadable.
"We keep moving. They're not the only danger."
I stared at him, my frustration bubbling over. "What do you mean? What else is out there?"
He didn't answer, instead motioning for us to follow. I clenched my fists, forcing down my anger as I fell into step behind him. The group moved cautiously through the halls, the oppressive silence broken only by our uneven breathing.
The large double doors loomed before us, the rows of untouched books visible through the glass. Yike pushed the doors open, motioning for us to step inside. "We'll hide here for now," he said.
The group hesitated, their fear palpable. "Is this really the best idea?" Zichen asked, his voice tinged with doubt. "What if they find us?"
"They won't," Yike said firmly. "This place is safe."
Safe. The word felt hollow, but we had little choice.
The group filed into the library, their movements hesitant and wary. I stayed close to Baihe, her presence grounding me as we slipped between the shelves.
I turned to him, my frustration spilling over. "Yike," I said, my voice sharp. "You need to start talking. What's going on? Who are those people?"
His gaze met mine, his expression unreadable. For a moment, I thought he might brush me off again, but then he spoke.
"They're not people," he said simply.
The words sent a chill down my spine. "What do you mean?"
"They're part of it," he continued, his voice low. "The eclipse shift. The constellations that we learned, its movement and histories. It's all connected."
Yike's expression darkened, his cryptic demeanor only adding to my frustration. "I can't explain it all now," he said. "But we don't have much time. We need to move."
Before I could press him further, the sound of footsteps echoed through the halls outside. The group tensed, their fear palpable as the noise grew louder.
"They're here," Zichen whispered, his voice trembling.
"And you said it is safe here,"
Panic surged through me again as the footsteps drew closer.
We couldn't stay here. Hiding was no longer
an option.
The others looked to Yike for guidance, their expressions filled with uncertainty. But he wasn't moving.
I clenched my fists, a surge of resolve replacing the fear that had been threatening to paralyze me.
Enough was enough.
"Listen to me," I said, my voice cutting through the tense silence. The group froze, their eyes snapping to me.
"We can't stay here. This isn't safe, and they're going to find us if we keep waiting around. We need to run. Now."
Zichen shook his head, panic clear in his eyes. "Run? And go where? They'll catch us!"
"Home," I said firmly.
"Go home. Be with your families. That's where you need to be."
Baihe stared at me, her expression conflicted. "Taryn, what about you? What if they catch you?"
I met her gaze, my chest tightening. "Don't worry about me," I said, my voice steadier than I felt. "I'll be fine. But you all need to get out of here. Now."
The group hesitated, their fear holding them back, but I wasn't giving them a choice. "Go!" I commanded, my tone sharper than I intended.
"You don't have time to argue. Run!"