The afternoon sun poured through the classroom windows as Professor Carter continued his lecture.
"...Human behavior is often influenced by emotions people don't even realize they have."
Stacy Bennett rested her chin against her hand, scribbling notes in the corner of her notebook.
For the first time since arriving at Blackwood University...
Life felt normal.
Assignments.
Classes.
Friends.
Maybe university really wouldn't be so bad.
Beside her, Emma leaned over.
"Want to grab lunch after class?"
Stacy smiled.
"As long as you're paying."
Emma gasped dramatically.
"I bought coffee yesterday!"
"And now it's your turn again."
The two quietly laughed before returning their attention to the lecture.
Across campus...
Lucien Ashford wasn't listening to his professor.
He couldn't.
Something felt...
Wrong.
It started as a faint pressure in the back of his mind.
Then it grew stronger.
His fingers tightened around his pen.
His breathing slowed.
His heartbeat accelerated.
Ethan, sitting beside him, noticed immediately.
"...Lucien?"
No response.
Lucien slowly looked toward the classroom window.
His eyes narrowed.
"...No."
Ethan's expression immediately became serious.
"You feel it too?"
Lucien stood.
Without asking permission.
Without saying another word.
He walked out of the classroom.
The professor didn't even stop him.
Meanwhile...
Stacy suddenly froze.
The words on the whiteboard blurred.
A sharp pain shot through her head.
"...Ah..."
She pressed a hand against her temple.
Emma turned immediately.
"Stacy?"
"I'm..."
"...fine."
She wasn't.
Every sound inside the classroom suddenly became louder.
Pens scratching paper.
Students whispering.
Chairs moving across the floor.
Everything echoed inside her head.
It was unbearable.
"I need..."
"...some air."
Without waiting for the lecture to end, Stacy hurried out into the hallway.
The cool breeze outside helped.
A little.
She leaned against a stone pillar, taking slow breaths.
"What was..."
"...that?"
The pain slowly faded.
Just as quickly as it had appeared.
Not far away...
Hidden behind the old science building...
Lucien stood completely still.
His sharp blue eyes scanned the empty courtyard.
The pressure was stronger here.
Much stronger.
A familiar voice spoke behind him.
"You came."
Lucien didn't turn around.
"I had no choice."
A tall man stepped out from the shadows.
Dressed entirely in black.
No student uniform.
No university badge.
Only a silver emblem shaped like a wolf.
"The Sentinel is losing control."
Lucien frowned.
"Who?"
"The details don't matter."
"The priority is containment."
At that exact moment...
Stacy wandered into the old courtyard.
She had no idea where she was.
She had only followed the quiet paths, hoping the fresh air would clear her head.
Instead...
She heard voices.
Curious, she stepped closer.
"...Lucien?"
The two men turned instantly.
The stranger's expression changed.
"...A civilian?"
Lucien's eyes widened.
"No."
He immediately walked toward Stacy.
"What are you doing here?"
She looked confused.
"I could ask you the same thing."
"I told you before..."
His voice was quieter than usual.
"...You shouldn't wander around this part of campus."
Before Stacy could answer
A violent roar echoed from somewhere deeper within the abandoned buildings.
The ground trembled.
Birds exploded into the sky.
Stacy's eyes widened.
"What was that?"
Lucien didn't answer.
His gaze remained fixed on the darkness ahead.
The stranger beside him whispered,
"...It's started."
Lucien looked back at Stacy.
For the first time...
There was genuine urgency in his voice.
"Stacy..."
"...Run."