Chapter 41 - Midnight Spy Mission Part I

Chapter 41: Midnight Spy Mission Part IThe cool night air hit Sevi's skin as he stepped out of his room and into the darkened hallways of the academy.The academy was nearly empty, the only sounds were the distant creaks of the old building and the soft rush of the wind outside. Everyone was either asleep or too preoccupied with their own concerns to notice him slipping through the shadows.Sevi adjusted the black face wrap once more, ensuring it covered his hair and face.The moon hung high in the sky, barely visible through the dense number of trees that surrounded the academy. Sevi quickened his pace as he made his way toward the edge of the grounds. The west woods were a distance away, and he couldn't afford to be late.As he neared the western side of the academy, he slowed down, his senses alert to any movement. The academy grounds were still, the only sound being the occasional rustle of leaves in the breeze. Sevi kept close to the shadows, moving swiftly but quietly.'Hell, the academy's woods are too vast, there are so many places they could meet,''"Behind the woods," the female had said, but what did that mean, exactly? Behind the woods could refer to so many locations in this vast area. 'His eyes flickered over the darkened trees, trying to find a landmark or clue that would tell him where to go.'Okay, think,' Sevi told himself, forcing his mind to focus.He stepped cautiously into the woods, keeping his back pressed against the academy walls as he moved forward. He needed to assess his surroundings carefully. The path ahead was narrow, the ground soft and littered with fallen leaves that crunched underfoot. Sevi paused for a moment, listening. The usual sounds of the forest were absent—no animals, no rustling leaves, nothing.Taking a few more steps, he squinted into the darkness, trying to make out any faint markers or landmarks. There were no obvious trails or signs to guide him. Sevi stopped in his tracks as he noticed a faint clearing ahead. It wasn't a large area, but it was distinct enough to catch his attention. 'The ground here was a bit firmer, the trees thinner, and the shadows lighter... ' He crouched low, watching for any signs of movement, but it seemed too quiet.His eyes scanned the area carefully. 'There were no signs of the Red Crescent yet, but the clearing seemed like a plausible meeting point. I could be wrong, but for now, it was the best lead I have.'Minutes passed. The only sound was the occasional rustling of leaves, disturbed by a passing breeze. Sevi's stomach tightened.'But.. is it sure that they are meeting here? Or maybe it's somewhere further along the woods, deeper in the darkness?'The female had said midnight sharp, but he didn't know how exact they were about timing.He stood up again, trying to calm his breathing. He had been crouched for too long, and his legs were starting to cramp. With a careful glance around, he moved slightly further into the woods, but only by a few feet, just enough to get a wider view of the surrounding area. His gut told him this was the spot. But he still wasn't sure. There were no signs of the Red Crescent yet. He stayed low, blending into the shadows as best as he could.Sevi adjusted his bag and pulled out the small vial of sleeping powder he had packed just in case. His eyes darted over the ground again, searching for any signs—footprints, broken branches, anything that could confirm he was in the right place. But so far, nothing.'What if they don't come here? What if this isn't the place? ' The thought made his stomach churn, but he shook it off. He had to stick to his gut feeling, even if he wasn't entirely sure.Just as he began to lose himself in his thoughts, a soft rustle broke the silence. His heart skipped a beat. A figure emerged from the trees, followed by another. It was them.The Red Crescent members had arrived.============================