"Shit, I almost forgot," he exclaimed, springing from his chair.
Hastily, he gathered everything scattered on the desk, including the book, and shoved it all into his bag.
The minutes were ticking away, and he knew he was late.
As he dressed quickly, Mars kept glancing at his phone, noting the date.
"I have to review their assignments and finalize a topic," he mumbled, reminded of his looming responsibilities.
Yet, a different thought flickered in his mind—a question he had been yearning to ask Summer about what was clouding his mind.
The anticipation had built over a week, and today was finally the day.
Stepping outside, Mars noticed the world seemed exceptionally vibrant.
The sun shone brightly, casting a warm glow despite the lingering chill in the air.
Even the music in his ears felt different; he was experimenting with new songs beyond his usual favorite, "Paper Crown." His spirits high, he walked briskly towards the college, greeting every student he passed, and they greeted him back with equal cheer.
Once at the college, Mars entered his personal cabin and placed his bag on the desk.
He took a moment to collect himself before heading towards the classroom, the very first one he had been introduced to as guest faculty.
This was Summer's class, and he felt a familiar surge of eagerness as he approached the door.
The students greeted him warmly as he entered, their chatter subsiding into attentive silence.
His eyes scanned the room, pausing on Warrin and Liam, who seemed to be in high spirits, evidently back from their trip.
But then his gaze fell on the seat by the window—Summer's usual spot—it was empty.
A ripple of concern passed through him.
Summer was never late, and she always arrived with her friends. What could have happened?
Suppressing his unease, Mars began the class as usual.
His mind, however, kept drifting back to Summer's empty seat. About ten minutes into the lecture, a knock on the door interrupted the flow of his lesson.
"Come in," Mars called out, trying to keep his voice steady.
The door creaked open, and Summer stepped in. She looked noticeably worried, her usual confident demeanor replaced with apprehension.
Bowing her head, she apologized for her tardiness.
"It's okay, take your seat," Mars responded gently, his concern deepening.
Summer hurried to her usual spot by the window, avoiding eye contact with everyone.
She sat down, her head bowed, clearly troubled. Mars wasn't the only one who noticed; Warrin and Liam exchanged worried glances too.
Something was definitely wrong.
As Mars continued the lecture, he couldn't help but steal glances at Summer, who remained unusually quiet and withdrawn.
His initial plan of discussing assignments and posing his question to her seemed trivial now compared to the evident distress she was in.
He could see the shadows under her eyes, the slight tremor in her hands, and the way her gaze seemed to dart around the room, as if she were seeing things that weren't there.
As soon as the lecture ended, Summer walked out of the classroom instantly, her movements almost mechanical.
Liam and Warrin, who had been observing her with concern, exchanged worried glances and quickly followed her.
They caught up to her near the stairs, where she was leaning against the railing, breathing heavily and looking scared.
Students passing by glanced at them with confusion, but no one stopped.
"Summer, what's wrong?" Warrin asked, his voice filled with concern as he gently held her shoulders to steady her.
"It's back, Warrin, it's back," Summer spoke heavily, her voice trembling.
Liam looked at her, confused, wondering if she was referring to her nightmares.
But as Summer shook her head in denial, he realized it was something more.
"I'm seeing things again, my illusions, they're back," she said, her eyes wide with fear.
Liam's eyes widened in surprise.
He had known Summer since the beginning of college, but he had never heard about her illusions.
Warrin, on the other hand, knew all too well what she was talking about. He had seen it before, and he was deeply concerned.
"Do you want to go home, Summer? You can leave the classes today. We can talk to the dean," Warrin suggested, his voice gentle and reassuring. But Summer shook her head again.
"No, I just needed to breathe. On my way here, I saw him," she said, referring to the animal she always saw in her illusions.
It was a creature that haunted her dreams and her waking moments, a specter that symbolized her deepest fears.
"I think I'll need my medications again."
"Did you tell Jake?" Liam asked, his voice soft. Summer shook her head, a look of sadness crossing her face.
"He'd come right away if I told him. I don't want to ruin his life. He has started his new life; let him be in peace. Anyway, Mom is back for a few days. I think I'll be fine," Summer said.
Her mother had returned because she knew that after Jake left, Summer would be all alone. She had come to cheer her up, to provide the support that Summer desperately needed.
Warrin looked into Summer's eyes, seeing the fear and vulnerability there.
He remembered the last time her illusions had taken over, how difficult it had been for her.
He felt a surge of protectiveness and knew they had to act quickly.
"Okay, we'll take it one step at a time. We're here for you, Summer," Warrin said firmly. "Let's go find a quiet place to talk, and we'll figure this out together."
Liam nodded in agreement, his usual carefree demeanor replaced by a serious and determined expression.
"Yeah, you're not alone in this. We'll get through it, like we always do."
The hallway was filled with the muted buzz of students moving between classes, but Liam and Warrin only left Summer's side when they were sure that she was okay, even if it meant they reached a little late for their music class.
Summer had a free period again and headed towards the library.
Unlike any other days, the library was unusually busy today, maybe because the mid-semesters were approaching.
She scanned the room, trying to spot an empty seat to just sit and relax.
Finding one near the large windows, she settled in, feeling the weight of her thoughts pressing down.
She didn't have her book to read, so she took out her notebook and started scribbling.
Her hand moved almost automatically, pouring out the chaos in her mind onto the paper.
She was writing something about being in the dark, capturing her nightmares in vivid detail.
Her other hand trembled as she penned down every word. She knew she had to meet her doctor as soon as possible; the nightmares were becoming unbearable.
Just when she thought she had lost it and was about to tear up, her phone dinged. It was a message from Caleb.
Just a mere look at his name calmed Summer down. She felt a wave of relaxation wash over her as she took a deep breath, put her pen down, and picked up her phone.
**Caleb:** Hey, are you free after our gym session? I want to take you somewhere.
Summer smiled at the text, feeling warmth spread through her chest.
She quickly typed her response, her fingers moving with a newfound lightness.
**Summer:** I'll go anywhere with you.
She closed her notebook, the scribbled nightmares still there but no longer holding the same power over her.
Maybe she just needed Caleb by her side and not the therapist, she thought.
The idea of spending time with him made her feel hopeful, a stark contrast to the darkness that usually clouded her mind.
The library's usual hushed environment, filled with the rustle of pages and muted whispers, now felt less oppressive.
Summer leaned back in her chair, watching the other students. Some were frantically studying, while others seemed to be lost in their own worlds, much like she had been moments ago.
She knew the comfort Caleb brought was something special, something that could help her through the rough patches.
Summer entered the bustling canteen, her eyes immediately searching for her friends, Warrin and Liam.
The familiar clatter of trays and the hum of chatter surrounded her, a comforting daily routine.
She spotted them at their usual table, deep in conversation over their laptops.
Warrin's brow was furrowed in concentration, and Liam was typing furiously.
"Hey, guys!" Summer greeted them cheerfully as she sat down.
Warrin looked up with an apologetic smile. "Hey, Summer. We need to talk."
Liam nodded, closing his laptop momentarily. "Yeah, we can't hit the gym today. We've got to work extra hours on our theses. Deadline's approaching fast."
Summer's face fell slightly. "Oh, no! I was looking forward to it. But I get it, you guys have to focus."
The mention of their theses jolted her memory. "Oh my God, I almost forgot! I have to finalize my thesis topic today after class."
Warrin gave her a sympathetic look. "You'll be fine, Summer. Just stay focused."
As they finished their lunch, Warrin and Liam quickly busied themselves with their work.
Summer made her way to a vacant room where she would meet Mars, her thesis advisor.
She was joined by her two project partners, Leah and Jane. Summer's nerves were on edge, not just because of the impending thesis discussion but because of Mars.
She prayed for a short session, eager to meet Caleb at the gym afterward.
She glanced at her wristwatch, feeling the minutes tick away.
Suddenly, the class doors slid open, and Mars entered, adjusting his glasses. His presence commanded attention.
He smiled warmly at his students, his eyes briefly meeting Summer's before she looked away.
"Good afternoon," Mars greeted them, and the students responded in kind. "I've reviewed your submissions. Leah, you did a great job, although you need to work on your structure. Everything else is fine."
Mars detailed how Leah's thesis should be framed, pointing out areas for improvement.
Summer kept checking her watch, her anxiety mounting. Mars noticed.
"Do you have somewhere to be, Miss Summer? You keep looking at your watch," he asked, his tone curious but stern.
Summer quickly shook her head. "No, Professor Mars."
"Alright," he said, moving on. "Jane, let's review your assessment. Leah, you can go and start working on your topic."
Leah thanked Mars and left, leaving Jane and Summer with him.
Mars continued with Jane's assessment, providing feedback and deciding on her thesis topic.
Once he was done, he allowed Jane to leave as well.
Now it was just Summer and Mars. She hated being alone with him, his piercing gaze making her uncomfortable.
"So, Summer, I read through your assessment…" Mars began, standing and approaching her.
Summer tensed as he stood beside her, arms folded. "I'm impressed at how detailed your work was," he said.
Summer managed a small smile at the compliment.
"Too detailed for a commoner to know."
"What do you mean?" she asked, her voice wavering.
"Last I remember, certain areas in the north castle are off-limits to visitors, yet your assessment includes details of them," Mars said, placing the printed papers on her desk.
He had underlined the suspicious segments.
"I read it somewhere," Summer replied, trying to stay calm.
"Okay, can you provide the references?" Mars asked.
"I…I forgot."
"No issues. Tell me when you remember," Mars said, returning to his desk. "I've decided on your thesis topic. You'll work on my thesis, the one I've been working on for years but haven't concluded. I believe you have the potential to finish it. The topic is 'The 4 Kingdoms of Amarias: The Legacy of the Purple Leaves'."
Summer stared at the board where Mars had written the topic.
She didn't say anything, overwhelmed by the turn of events.
"You can leave now, Miss Summer," Mars said.
Summer quickly gathered her things, eager to escape the room.
As she reached the door, Mars's voice stopped her.
"By the way, how was your trip to the north?" he asked, a hint of suspicion in his tone.
Summer paused, her hand on the door knob. She glanced over her shoulder. "Refreshing," she said, then hurried out of the room, her heart pounding.
Mars wanted to ask her something else too, but he stopped himself. He picked up his own belongings and went to his own cabin, quickly opening the book he had paused reading.
Settling into his chair, he picked up where he had left off and started to read.
Suddenly, something caught his eye. He picked up the printed assessment in front of him and scrutinized the book again.
Every writer has a distinctive pattern and style, and as he looked closely, his suspicions were confirmed.
The book was unmistakably written by Summer.
Mars remembered that Summer was once hailed as the Literature Queen when she wrote a book with Miss Nada's assistance.
He was now 100% sure that this was the same book.
But why was it signed as anonymous? The question gnawed at him, and he knew the dean might have the answers.
Mars hurriedly went to the dean's office, knocking on the door and entering once the dean allowed.
"I'll ask it straight, and you have to give me a straight answer. Promise me," Mars demanded as soon as he stepped inside.
The dean, taken aback by Mars's urgency, nodded.
"The Mighty Cliff—did Summer write that book?" Mars asked. Though he was certain, he needed confirmation.
The dean nodded in response.
"I knew it," Mars said, sinking into a chair across from the dean. "But I don't understand why it's signed as anonymous. If it's just a fantasy book, why does it feel so real? I don't understand how she knew about San," Mars rambled, his mind racing with unanswered questions.
"Mars, even if I tell you everything right now, you wouldn't understand. So, I suggest you don't walk faster than time. Let it uncover itself. You will find the truth. It is more complicated and horrendous than we can think, so please just go slow," the dean replied,
concern etched across his face.
"That means you know everything," Mars stated more than asked.
"I know some parts, but not everything. Like you, I've been itching to find the whole truth. The book you are reading is part of the truth—one segment of the coin. The other part, only you can find out," the dean said, his tone more serious than ever.
Mars sat back, processing the dean's words. The revelation about Summer and the cryptic nature of the book opened up a labyrinth of mysteries.
The dean's cautionary advice hung heavy in the air, suggesting that the answers Mars sought were intertwined with deeper, darker secrets.
As he retreated to his cabin, pondering various possibilities, he noticed the door was ajar.
He cursed himself under his breath and stomped inside, a sinking feeling growing in his gut.
The book, which he was certain he'd left on the desk, was gone.
Frantic, Mars searched every corner of his cabin.
Drawers were yanked open, shelves inspected, and every shadowy nook and cranny examined, but the book had vanished.
It meant only one thing: someone or something didn't want him to read further or uncover the truth.
Mars sighed, frustration boiling inside him.
He had been so close to finding at least a part of the truth, only to have it snatched away.
"Who could do this?" he mumbled, convinced that something sinister was afoot.
He sat down at his desk, running a hand through his hair in frustration.
"Whoever did this knew exactly what they were doing," he muttered.