--: Author's POV: --
The morning air was crisp as the entire Section E collective marched toward their classroom. Keifer and Jay Jay walked at the center, flanked by Rory, CiN, and David. Behind them, Mayo, Kit, Drew, and Denzel kept a watchful eye, while Edrix, Eman, Eren, and Josh discussed last-minute theories. Calix, Felix, and Blaster brought up the rear.
They reached the door of their classroom, but as the first few members stepped inside, the line came to a grinding halt. One by one, the members of Section E froze, their expressions shifting from focus to pure, unadulterated shock.
Sitting at a desk in the far corner, looking as composed as ever, was Yuri.
--: Jay Jay's POV: --
My heart plummeted into my stomach. My breath hitched, and I felt Keifer's hand tighten around mine until it was almost painful.
Yuri.
The last time his name carried weight was during the pendrive incident. Kaizar had told me—boasted, even—that Yuri was the one who revealed my location. He was supposed to be with the enemy. He was supposed to be a traitor to the family. To see him sitting here, in our sanctuary, felt like a physical blow.
"You've got a lot of nerve," someone hissed, from behind. Mayo and Kit moved forward instinctively, their faces darkened with betrayal. The room was thick with a sudden, violent tension.
--: Keifer's POV: --
I felt the heat rising in my chest. I took a step forward, my eyes locked on Yuri's calm face. I wanted to drag him out of that chair. I wanted to demand why he had played both sides. I wanted to know how deep his involvement with Kaizar really went.
"Yuri," I growled, my voice vibrating with a threat. "Give me one reason why I shouldn't—"
"Settle down! Everyone, in your seats!"
Sir Alvin's voice boomed through the room as he entered, carrying a thick stack of exam booklets. He didn't miss the standoff, but he didn't care.
"We are on a strict schedule. If you are not in your assigned seat in ten seconds, you will be barred from the first paper. Move!"
We had no choice. I shot Yuri one final, murderous glare before sitting down. Jay Jay was trembling slightly beside me. I reached over under the desk, squeezing her hand for a split second before the exam started.
--: Author's POV: --
The exam was a blur of scratching pens and ticking clocks. For three hours, the only sound was the rustle of paper. But for Jay Jay, the silence was deafening. Her mind kept drifting to the back of the room. She could feel Yuri's presence like a shadow.
When the final bell rang, Sir Alvin collected the papers and exited. The second the door clicked shut, the silence exploded.
--: Jay Jay's POV: --
Before Yuri could even stand up, the entire Section E had circled him. We were like a pack of wolves, trapping him in that corner desk. Josh, Calix, and Blaster blocked the exit, while others stood at the front.
"Where have you been?" I demanded, my voice trembling with a mix of anger and hurt. "Why did you leave me there that night, Yuri? Do you have any idea what Kaizar said about you?"
Yuri didn't look up immediately. He stared at his empty desk, his expression unreadable.
"Why are you in contact with Kaizar?" Keifer's voice cut through the noise, cold and sharp.
The room went dead silent. I felt the air leave my lungs. I looked at Keifer, then back at Yuri. "Contact? Keifer, what are you talking about?"
Yuri finally looked up. He didn't look guilty; he looked exhausted. A slow, sad smile touched his lips as his eyes met mine, then Keifer's. "You've been busy, Keifer. Checking phone logs? Tracking signals?"
"Answer the question," Keifer stepped into the circle, his aura suffocating.
--: Author's POV: --
Yuri didn't answer. Instead, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, crumpled piece of paper.
He didn't hand it to Keifer; he slid it across the desk toward Jay Jay.
As Jay Jay picked it up, Yuri leaned forward, his voice a barely audible whisper that only those closest could hear. "I can't tell you anything."
Jay Jay opened the paper. Her eyes widened as she read the hurried, jagged handwriting:
Do not react. Kaizar's men are watching the windows from the North building. They are waiting for me to 'break' you. If I don't prove I've turned against you today, the sniper on the roof has orders to take out the first person who leaves this room. Act like you hate me. Make it violent.
--: Keifer's POV: --
I saw Jay Jay's face go pale. She looked at me, then flickered her eyes toward the windows. I understood instantly. We weren't just in an exam; we were in a glass bowl.
"You're pathetic, Yuri!" Jay Jay suddenly yelled, her voice echoing off the walls. She reached out and slapped the desk, her face contorting into a mask of rage. "How could you sell us out?!"
I caught on. I stepped in, grabbing Yuri by the collar and slamming him against the locker. "You think you can just come back here after what you did? Get out. Now!"
I leaned in close to his ear, my back blocking the view from the windows.
"How many?" I whispered.
"Two scouts, one shooter," Yuri breathed back, his voice a ghost of a sound. "Kaizar thinks I'm his pawn. The 'Hitlist' starts with the Watsons and ends with each and everyone in Section E. I'm buying time.And I'll try to inform you through any signal whenever I can....Now, Hit me, hit me Keifer. Make it look real."
--: Author's POV: --
Keifer pulled back and swung a fist—landing it just shy of Yuri's jaw, but Yuri threw his head back as if the impact were real, stumbling into the desks. The rest of Section E, sensing the play, joined in with shouts and insults, creating a chaotic "commotion" that would look like a total falling out to anyone watching from a distance.
Yuri scrambled up, his lip bleeding (he had bitten it on purpose), and spat on the floor. "I'm done with all of you! Kaizar offers a future—you guys just offer a grave!"
He shoved past Blaster and Felix and ran out of the room.
Jay Jay slumped into her chair, fake-crying into her hands to hide her shaking, while Keifer stood over her, looking like a vengeful protector.
----After sometime ----
"Is he gone?" Rory whispered, moving to block the window view with his body.
"He's not a traitor," Jay Jay whispered through her fingers. "He's trying to protect us, he is being our shield"