“Skipping lunch?” Evan asked, nudging him. “Even loners need a sandwich, you know.”
Silas didn’t lift his head. “I have… business.”
“Business?” Evan echoed, skeptical.
Silas shrugged. “Check-in. Important.” Then he stood and walked toward the hall, hoodie swallowing most of his frame.
Evan tilted his head. “I’ll come with you,” he said, with the faintest smirk.
Silas didn’t answer. He didn’t need to. Every step he took was deliberate, every turn calculated. He noticed subtle echoes behind him, the way the floorboards creaked differently under someone else’s weight. Of course he’s following, Silas thought. I expected nothing less.
At the far end of the hall, the locked door waited. Silas crouched, picked the lock with practiced precision, and slipped inside. Evan followed, silent as a shadow, pressing against the wall.
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The room was dim, dust motes floating in sunbeams that cut through the blinds. Silas moved toward the donor board, scanning the neatly organized names and dates. His eyes locked on one entry:
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Eugene Goh — 15/1
He froze. Evan.
Silas’s jaw tightened, and his hands slid casually in front of the board, subtly blocking Evan’s line of sight. Every motion was deliberate. Evan tried to peek, but Silas’s position cut off the view.
Evan’s shoulders slumped slightly, but he didn’t protest. Silas could tell he was curious, eager, maybe even impressed by the secrecy.
After a few moments, Evan slipped away quietly, heading toward an empty classroom before Silas left the room. Silas watched, half-amused, half-irritated, as Evan ducked behind the slightly open door and disappeared from sight.
When Silas finally left the room, he noticed Evan peeking from inside the classroom. He narrowed his eyes.
“Following me again?” Silas asked, voice low, controlled.
Evan flinched. “I… I just wanted to see…”
Silas’s gaze sharpened. “Watching doesn’t mean understanding. Don’t follow me next time. You could get hurt.”
Evan nodded, ducking back into the shadows.
Silas stepped closer, voice quieter, almost a whisper. “Listen carefully. Tomorrow… stay home. Do not come to school. You’ll understand why soon enough.”
Evan’s eyebrows furrowed in suspicion, but he said nothing. Silas gave him a cold, unreadable glance, then turned and walked away, leaving Evan hidden in the classroom.
Tomorrow isn’t far, Silas thought, every muscle tight, every sense alert.