The academy gates stood behind us, and the unsettling events of the alley lingered in the back of my mind like a bad aftertaste. I still wasn't sure how long we'd been gone, but one thing was certain: we were caught in something far bigger than an everyday stalker. Time didn't just stop for no reason.
I glanced at the White Mannequin Witch. She hadn't moved a muscle since we left, her eyes locked on her notebook like it held the secrets of the universe. She didn't even seem phased when we walked back into the academy grounds. If I hadn't known better, I'd think she'd been frozen in place. Or maybe she was just that focused.
I sighed internally. This was turning into a headache.
"Alright," I muttered, more to myself than anyone else. "Let's figure this out."