She chuckled softly. "I knew you were that type of person..."
I settled into a chair beside Lenna, watching as her fingers danced across the pen tablet, creating vibrant designs on the screen. The atmosphere in the room was a strange mix of the ordinary and the extraordinary. The students worked diligently on their projects, unaware of the hidden world that existed just beyond their perception.
Meanwhile, my mind was still racing with questions. I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being watched, that the Harbinger was lurking somewhere nearby, observing my every move.
"So," I asked Lenna, breaking the silence, "what kind of design are you going for?"
She looked up from her work, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "I was thinking of something bold and eye-catching," she explained. "Something that really captures the spirit of the festival."
I nodded, intrigued. "What kind of elements are you incorporating?"
"Well, I'm using a lot of bright colors and dynamic shapes," she said. "I also want to incorporate some a unique cultural flair."
I was impressed by her creativity and vision. "It sounds amazing, I can't wait to see the final product."
She blushed slightly, her fingers returning to the tablet. "Thanks," she mumbled, a shy smile on her face.
"So... why do you go to school here?" I asked, trying to steer the conversation away from the sensitive topic of powers.
She paused her drawing and looked at me, a thoughtful expression on her face. "Oh, it's just because it's closer to my house."
"Oh... so you live around here?"
"Yep!" She nodded and returned to her drawing, her focus seemingly unwavering.
"That's convenient," I remarked, a bit awkwardly. "I live a bit further away, so I have to take the bus every day, or wait for someone to pick me up."
"That must be a pain," she sympathized, glancing up at me briefly. "But at least you get to see more of the city, right?"
I shrugged. "I guess," I replied, not really feeling the same enthusiasm. "Although, lately, I've been seeing a lot more than I bargained for."
Lenna stopped drawing again, her eyes meeting mine. "You mean... the Harbinger and the spirits?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.
I nodded slowly, my heart sinking. "And the flying fish."
A look of understanding passed over her face. "I know it's scary," she said softly, her voice filled with empathy.
I looked at her, a wave of conflicting emotions washing over me. She was my enemy's descendant, yet I couldn't bring myself to hate her. After all, it wasn't her fault what happened centuries ago.
"Um... what do you think about our ancestors?" I asked, testing the waters.
"Our ancestors?" Lenna echoed, tilting her head in confusion.
"Yeah," I explained, my voice barely above a whisper. "Your ancestors were Seers, right? And mine were the Unveiled..."
Her eyes widened in surprise. "Wait, so we share a common history?" she asked, her voice hushed. "I thought your family was completely different..."
I shrugged, feeling a wave of unease wash over me. "Well, I'm not sure... Maybe there's more to our families' stories than we know," I mumbled, feeling flustered under her intense gaze.
"Forget about it," I added hastily, hoping to change the subject.
She chuckled softly at my awkwardness, a glimmer of amusement in her eyes. "Alright, Senior," she said, her voice teasing. "Whatever you say."
As we basked in the relative quiet of the student council room, the rhythmic tapping of keyboards and the soft scratching of Lenna's pen providing a soothing background noise, a sudden scream shattered the tranquility.
"AAAA!"
Both of us jumped, startled by the unexpected sound. We exchanged wide-eyed glances, then quickly scanned the room to gauge the reactions of the other students.
No one seemed to have noticed the scream. They continued working, oblivious to the chilling sound that had echoed through the room.
I looked at Lenna, a silent question in my eyes. Had it been a ghost?
"I'll go investigate," I said, my voice barely a whisper.
She nodded, a worried expression clouding her features. "Be careful," she urged.
I rose from my seat and made my way towards the door.
"Xian, where are you going?" Luna asked, looking up from her computer.
I paused, my mind racing for a plausible excuse. "Going to the bathroom," I replied, hoping my voice didn't betray my growing unease.
She nodded, seemingly satisfied with my answer.
I slipped out of the room, my heart pounding in my chest.
I quickened my pace, following the sound of the scream back to its source.
Was it a ghost? I wondered. Or just someone playing a prank?
If it were the latter, surely others would have reacted. But the scream seemed to have been heard only by Lenna and me.
My footsteps echoed in the empty hallway as I rounded a corner, my senses on high alert. The scream had come from somewhere near the art room...
The art room door stood open, a sliver of light escaping into the dimly lit hallway. I hesitated, unsure of what awaited me inside.
Is it here…?
Taking a deep breath, I pushed the door open slowly, my eyes scanning the room.
The art room was empty, save for a lone figure standing in the center, their back turned towards me. I cautiously approached, my footsteps muffled by the thick carpet.
"Hello?" I called out, my voice barely a whisper.
The figure didn't respond. It simply stood there, motionless, its silhouette outlined against the afternoon light streaming through the windows.
As I drew closer.
Is it an art kid?
But something was different. Her body seemed to shimmer, her edges blurring as if she were not entirely present in this world. And then, I saw it: the dark aura surrounding her, a faint echo of the Harbinger's oppressive presence.
My heart pounded in my chest. "Are you... a ghost? Or some kind of guardian?"
Slowly, the girl turned to face me. Her features were contorted in a mask of pain and anguish. "Why... Why didn't you save me?"
< Chapter 017 > Fin.