Jared Alonzo didn't like waiting.
Waiting meant uncertainty.
And uncertainty—
Was inefficient.
"…you've been staring at that screen for ten minutes," Iris said.
"…nine minutes and forty-two seconds."
"…that's not the point."
They sat in the library.
Quiet.
Still.
Too still.
Jared's laptop displayed a series of timelines.
Movement logs.
Camera snapshots.
Three individuals—
Repeating.
Again.
And again.
"…they're consistent," Jared said.
"…in what way?" Iris asked.
"…location overlap without purpose."
"…that sounds like a fancy way of saying they're creepy."
"…accurate."
Jared highlighted the data.
Three faces appeared side by side.
Different times.
Different places.
Same behavior.
Watching.
"…they're not students," Iris said.
"…no."
"…so what are they?"
Jared paused.
"…observers."
Silence.
"…I don't like that word."
"…noted."
Jared leaned back.
Eyes narrowing.
They appear.
They watch.
They don't act.
Conclusion: incomplete pattern.
"…they're waiting," he said.
"…for what?"
"…a trigger."
Iris frowned.
"…like… something happens and then they move?"
"…yes."
"…so we just… don't trigger it?"
Silence.
Jared's gaze returned to the screen.
If they wait forever…
Then nothing changes.
"…no," he said.
"…no??"
"…we trigger it."
"…WE?!"
"…controlled activation."
"…that sounds like a terrible idea."
"…it's efficient."
"…IT'S DANGEROUS."
"…risk acknowledged."
Jared's fingers hovered over the keyboard.
One command.
Simple.
Precise.
"…what are you even doing?" Iris asked.
"…removing concealment."
"…you were HIDING?!"
"…partially."
"…WHY WOULD YOU STOP—"
ENTER.
The command executed.
Silent.
Invisible.
But—
Decisive.
Jared exhaled slightly.
"…trigger set."
Silence.
Nothing happened.
One second.
Two.
Three.
"…maybe nothing—"
"…wait."
Jared's eyes shifted.
"…movement."
"…where?"
"…left corridor."
Iris turned.
Three figures.
Walking toward them.
No hesitation.
No disguise.
"…you did that," Iris whispered.
"…yes."
"…I REALLY don't like when you're right."
The three stopped a few meters away.
Watching them openly now.
One stepped forward.
"You're smarter than expected," he said.
Jared stood.
"…response confirmed."
"…you triggered us on purpose?" the man asked.
"…yes."
A pause.
Then—
A small smile.
"Interesting."
The air shifted.
No more observation.
Only engagement.
Jared's mind processed rapidly.
Trigger → Response.
Response → Escalation.
Which meant—
This wasn't random.
It was the start.
"…sequence initiated," he muttered.
"…can you NOT sound like a villain right now?" Iris whispered.
"…noted."
But he didn't look away.
Because now—
They weren't watching anymore.
They were involved.
And once something is triggered—
It doesn't stop.
"…this is the point," Jared said quietly.
"…what point?"
He didn't hesitate.
"…where everything begins."