"Let him see his sister. Take the girl away from their mother. That'll be enough."
"…Yeah," Clyde said after a pause. "That can be arranged."
He let out a quiet breath.
"But we'll have to move fast. While I still have at least some authority left."
"What do you mean?"
"Don't worry about it." He gave a slight shrug. "Complications. I'll deal with them."
He stood.
Then walked toward me.
Too close.
My body reacted before I could think.
I stepped back.
A quiet huff.
"Are you afraid of me?"
"N-no," I said automatically, and immediately winced.
"I won't hurt you," he said.
His hand lifted.
Stopped just short of my face.
Didn't touch.
"Go," he said, turning away abruptly. "Get some rest. The hard part starts now."
I didn't argue.
I left.
Too fast, almost colliding with a girl carrying coffee and snacks.
"Sorry," I muttered, already moving past her.
Why am I reacting like this?
Why does his presence—
No.
Is it fear?
Do I fear him?
…No.
I know what fear feels like.
And suddenly, the basement came back.
Sharp. Clear.
I squeezed my eyes shut until white burst behind them, trying to erase it.
Erase him.
The one who got away.
The one still walking these halls.
That's fear.
This…
This is something else.
I shook my head hard.
Not now.
I needed a plan.
The restricted building.
The exhibition fights.
Demons.
If I walk in blind, I die.
I need to know something.
Anything.
And then a thought surfaced.
Alma.
Recon.
If anyone might know something, it's her.
But…
Should I even go to her?
We hadn't spoken since that day.
She avoided me.
And I didn't try to stop her.
…Still.
I don't have the luxury of ignoring leads.
I pulled out my phone.
Dialed.
The ringing stretched.
What do I want more?
For her not to answer…
or to pick up?
"…Alan?"
Her voice.
Uncertain.
"Did something happen?"
"Sorry," I said quickly. "I know this is sudden, but… can we meet? Just talk."
"Now?" she asked.
"Only if you want—"
"No," she cut in quickly. "I'm glad you called."
A pause.
"The seating area near the dorms?"
"I'll be there in five."
I hung up.
Hope.
That's what moved me.
Stronger than the awkwardness.
Stronger than the shame.
At least until I saw her.
She sat alone on the far bench.
My body almost turned away on its own.
But she looked up.
Too late.
I walked toward her.
"Hey," I said, forcing a smile.
"Hi," she said.
Just as unsure.
The tension between us felt physical.
I sat down.
Took a breath.
Not yet.
Not straight to the point.
We had to break this first.
"How are you?" I asked. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah," she said softly. "I'm okay."
A pause.
"I was worried about you."
Her gaze dropped.
"…This happened because of me."
"It wasn't you," I said immediately. "And in case you forgot, we were both dragged into it."
"I wasn't hurt because you—"
She stopped.
Then forced it out.
"Alan… even if they had done what they planned… it wouldn't have mattered…"
"Stop."
My voice came out sharp.
"Don't say that."
"Just because people hurt you before doesn't make it normal. Or acceptable."
Silence.
"What happened…" I hesitated. "…we can't change it."
"So let's just…"
I exhaled.
"Close it."
"…Okay."
A pause.
"…But, Alan… I really didn't look."
I nodded.
And something inside me loosened.
She meant it.
"So… we're still…" she hesitated, "…friends?"
I knew how hard that was for her to say.
And I didn't know how to answer.
Could we be?
Should we?
As I looked at her, something shifted.
Why am I even hesitating?
I like Alma.
I always did.
We could be friends.
Maybe even—
Pain.
Sharp.
My head throbbed.
I squeezed my eyes shut.
And saw—
Black eyes.
Lips.
His lips.
Andrew.
How can I even think about this when my head is full of him?
A man.
"If that's what you want…" I said slowly, opening my eyes, "and if you're okay after everything…"
"I'd like that."
"To stay friends."
I smiled.
Even I didn't fully understand how I managed to say it.
"I'm glad," Alma said.
But I saw it.
That flicker.
Not quite relief.
Something else.
"I don't want to lose you," I added quickly.
"Oh—right! Congratulations!" she said suddenly.
"For what?"
"For the exhibition fights."
"You have no idea what kind of chaos that caused."
"Three first-years selected—and two already under contract."
"That's not because of me," I grimaced. "If I hadn't become a bodyguard, I wouldn't even be there."
"You really underestimate yourself," she said.
"…Anyway," I said, forcing myself back on track before I drifted again.
Her eyes.
The way she smiled.
That small dimple in her cheek—
I shut my eyes briefly.
Focused.
"Alma… you're still specializing in reconnaissance, right?"
"Of course," she said. "I've never felt more useful."
A small smile.
"Do you need help?"
"I wanted to ask…"
"What do you know about demons?"
"Demons?" she blinked. "Same as everyone, I guess. Is there something specific?"
I exhaled.
Of course.
What was I expecting?
She can't know what's deliberately hidden.
"…No," I said. "Just trying to understand more."
"Oh—wait," she added. "Iverson mentioned something."
"You know there's another building?"
"The one for Specials?"
"Yeah," she nodded. "Advanced control training."
"It's restricted."
"Only certain people have access."
"Strange, isn't it?" I said. "Why isolate it like that?"
"It helps them focus," she said.
"I wanted to see it," I admitted. "Think it's possible to slip in at night?"
"No," she shook her head immediately. "There's security and a barrier."
"You touch it, they'll know."
"You won't get through without access."
"And I assume you need to show that access to guards?"
"I don't know," she said. "Even most instructors don't have it."
"Do you know who does?"
"I never checked," she said. "Why are you so interested?"
"I don't know enough yet," I smiled. "Everything's interesting."
I stood.
"It was good seeing you."
A pause.
"And I'm glad it's not… awkward anymore."
That part was true.
Then her hand.
The way she pulled her phone out.
And without thinking—
"Maybe we could hang out this weekend?"
"With pleasure," she smiled. "I've wanted to spend a whole day with you."
"Me too," I said—
and froze.
…What the hell am I doing?