Staring at each other for what seemed like minutes, neither of us spoke. There was tension in the air, though from what I could not say. I felt like I should know the man but he was a stranger to me. I might've assumed him a student, but his clothes didn't seem like something you'd catch someone wearing from this school. He looked like he had been dressed for desert combat but instead decided to venture into the city. An odd mixup.
The stranger spoke, and for whatever reason, I listened. Despite his strange appearance, the man made me feel a strong longing for something I could not identify, "Thank you for meeting me. Appearing in public isn't safe anymore, so I thought we might talk in private, given the lack of options."
I responded, only one question coming to head as he finished his gratuitous explanation. My voice trembling as I spoke. "Who ... are you?" I looked him in the eyes and he seemed to smile. His youthful face crinkling just a little in unrestrained amusement. "I see. Maybe that's for the best."
The man breathed in, then out. Those eyes of his seemed to bore right into me with a seriousness not seen today, but in contradiction, his smile was as light as a soft drizzle. I could not make out what he was thinking as he continued to speak. "Do not worry yourself over who I am, James. All that matters is we speak. You see, I have wanted to meet you for a very long time. An unimaginable amount of time."
There was a silence following his words, and I spoke through it after a few seconds. Unsure of what to say to this. "Uhm ... okay." The man laughed, recognizing the mood he'd created in the room as he spoke, "Sorry. I forget what time we live in now, and my words tend to get away from me. But I have a warning I've come to deliver as well. I did not just come here to visit. Will you hear it?"
I shrugged in acceptance. Speaking my response to the stranger, "If you came here at risk of being spotted, it must be important. Besides. You have the door, so I don't have much choice." I leaned against the bed frame assuming this might turn into a lecture, "Go ahead."
He nodded in appreciation and began, and either I was crazy or he had started to glow. "Within the span of two years, a formidable evil will arise somewhere in Egypt. I have seen it, and nothing can sway these events. You must warn your Headmaster. Renco Subaru, was it? I'm sure he will know that which I speak of. You in particular, young James. You must begin training in earnest. You will be needed to combat this threat."
The room seemed to get much colder as the stranger stepped out from the way of the doors handle. He spoke in continuation as he moved for the hallway, "You've already come so far. I have no doubt you'll be ready when the time comes. Thank you for listening, James. I have places to be, but be assured we will meet again soon." He disappeared around the wall, heading for the exit. I was about to dash after him but remembered the girls sleeping in the next room over, and given his promise, my questions could definitely wait.
I hugged the bed with my backside, lost in thought. The silence returning to the dorm as I thought on the encounter. Had I seen him in a dream? The thought was hazy. If I had, that would explain the feeling I got. After all, everyone else I knew since waking up to this wonderland introduced themself as a student or faculty here at Renco, so what else could it have been?
I pushed the thought aside, looking to the time and seeing how late it was. 9:56, almost Ten o'clock. If I was to get any sleep, I needed to get a move on it. "But first ... don't they keep spare blankets in the dorm rooms?" I spoke to myself as I started to rummage around the room. Ah! Found it. I pulled out some light sleeper blankets. Draping them over my shoulder and making my way out to the others crashing on my sofa.
As I passed through the hallway and stepped up to the couches backside, I draped the first one over Melanie, then moved towards the two slumped against each other as they slept in a half-cuddle harmoniously. Covering them gently in the remaining blanket, I turned and was about to head for the hills when I spotted Melly, awake and staring at me.
I spoke under my breath, hoping to avoid the awkward exchange I knew might be coming. "I thought you three might get cold." Melanie nodded, seeming still somewhat sleepy. She got to her feet and yawned, rubbing her eye as she spoke. I began to walk towards my room when she grabbed my sleeve and held me back, speaking softly. "Take me with you~"
It didn't sound like one might think, but I flushed hard as I put a hand on her back to steer her towards my bedroom. "Alright, c'mon." I said as we headed for the sheets with little on our minds but sleep.
I thought to myself as we closed the door. It's fine, I have extra comforters and blankets. She had woken up enough by the time we'd gotten to the bedside and had little need for my help as she slipped into the covers. "It's soft." was her only comment as she got comfortable. The lights had been set to dim when you got into bed, and to turn off after thirty minutes. So there was little need to get up and turn them off because they'd already done so on their own. I slipped into the other side and turned to the wall to give her any privacy she might desire as my eyes flickered.
No scheming tonight, no craziness. I should have still been rested from earlier this afternoon, but I felt exhausted regardless. It wasn't long before my eyes began shut on me.