A few days passed, during which I couldn't figure out where to start. Neither Balthazar's note nor his words provided much to go on. Cody's name is everything—and at the same time, nothing.
Realizing that I've probably wasted too much time mulling things over, I finally decide to act. When Kaja leaves for soccer practice, I walk out of the bookstore with her. As we go, I rack my brain, trying to come up with a plan to further the search.
"Hey, you listening?" her voice cuts through my intense focus.
I glance at her, noticing her huge smile. Guilt pangs at me for not catching what made her so happy.
"Of course," I reply, though feeling a bit awkward.
That answer seems to satisfy her, and she continues. Before I get lost in my worries again, I pick up that she's talking about soccer. Kaja loves it—she always comes back from practice ecstatic, boasting about outplaying the boys' team.
Eleonora insisted that Kaja should go to school and have a life like other teens. She was only fifteen at the time, after all. Kaja is the only one of us who has a taste of normal life—the kind meant for people who don't hunt demons.
I'm not even sure if I graduated. I can't recall ever experiencing something as ordinary as school, which sometimes stirs a vague nostalgia. Secretly, I long for things I can't have.
We arrive at the school gates.
"No broken noses, please. Last time, Eleonora had a very awkward talk with the kid's parents." I give her shoulder a playful punch.
"Can't promise, but I'll try. Good luck with your mystery guy!" she calls as she jogs away.
I wave her goodbye, a slight smile tugging at my lips.
The bond I have with my teammates means everything to me. Even though I'm a bit detached from the world, I've never felt alone. As long as I have at least a few understanding souls beside me, I can handle anything.
*
I almost stumble over my own feet. The university building looms larger than expected, already filling me with irritation. Before coming here, I researched university programs and student life, hoping I might somehow blend in and find the one I'm looking for. But the mission already feels more complex than I'd anticipated, so I'm counting on some lucky coincidence.
As I step inside, the noise overwhelms my ears. The place buzzes with chatter and other sounds. Everyone seems wrapped up in their own world, paying no attention to an outsider like me, which helps me relax slightly.
I start observing my surroundings, wandering the corridors in search of clues. I even come across a few student lists, but they don't give me what I need. My only real discovery is that Cody isn't a freshman. The search feels like looking for a needle in a haystack.
I try to convince myself that I'll figure this out soon, but I feel increasingly frustrated. I've never liked puzzles. I prefer clear, straightforward tasks like hunting: detect, find, eliminate. Missions with messy unknowns? Not my forte.
Eventually, I take a break in the library. Leaning back in a chair, I close my eyes for a moment. The soft rustling of pages and the low hum of the air conditioning create a soothing background.
With a sigh, I open my eyes and glance around. The students here seem lost in their own worlds—some hunched over laptops, others engrossed in thick books, oblivious to everything around them.
After a while, I get up and head toward the door. I didn't expect to find Cody immediately, but I quietly blame myself for not getting anywhere. I promise myself that tomorrow, I'll dive back in fully committed.
Just then, out of nowhere, I feel a strong jolt against my back. My heart skips a beat, and I lose my balance. Were it not for my reflexes, I'd be flat on the ground. In the background, I hear a couple of solid objects hitting the floor.
I rise from my crouch, brushing dust off my jeans, and look around to see who bumped into me. A soft groan from below catches my attention.
Not far from my shoes, a guy, roughly my age and probably a student, is scrambling to collect scattered notebooks. There's something about him that instantly draws me in. As he quickly gathers his belongings, he straightens, and a pair of hazel eyes peek out from beneath wavy brown hair, locking onto mine. For a moment, I'm held in place, captivated. His warm, honeyed skin and gentle features could mesmerize anyone.
But it's his gaze that strikes me the deepest. It holds a certain sadness, and I find myself wondering what or who caused it.
"Be careful," I stutter, aware that my silent staring must look odd.
The stranger nods, glancing away as if he's about to slip past me.
"You know, it'd be nice if you at least apologized," I add.
I don't intend to offend him—something within me just wants to prolong this encounter a little longer.
He lifts his eyes to meet mine again, and in that shared gaze, I know I'll remember this moment forever. I can't fully understand it, but my soul recognizes the weight of it, as if time has stopped, leaving just the two of us suspended. Bound together in a moment where nothing else matters.
"I'm sorry," he says quietly.