The next move—
Wasn't subtle.
Jared felt it immediately.
"…change," he muttered.
"…what now?" Iris asked.
"…pressure increase."
"…I don't like that phrase."
"…accurate."
They walked down the hallway.
Students around.
Normal.
But—
Something was off.
Too many eyes.
Too many pauses.
"…they're here," Jared said.
"…WHERE."
"…everywhere."
"…THAT DOESN'T HELP."
A student bumped into him.
Hard.
Too hard.
"…intentional," Jared muttered.
"…HEY—"
The student didn't apologize.
Didn't even look back.
Just kept walking.
"…okay that's creepy," Iris said.
"…coordinated behavior."
"…YOU KEEP SAYING THINGS THAT MAKE IT WORSE."
Another student blocked their path.
"…excuse me," Iris said.
No response.
Just standing there.
Watching.
"…they're using others," Jared said.
"…you mean those people aren't normal?!"
"…influenced."
"…THAT'S WORSE."
Then—
Jared's phone buzzed.
He checked it.
Message.
Same unknown source.
He opened it.
Silence.
Iris leaned closer.
"…what now."
Jared read it.
Eyes slightly narrowing.
"…first warning."
"…READ IT."
He turned the screen.
"Stop."
Silence.
Iris blinked.
"…that's it?"
"…no."
Another line appeared.
"You're not ready."
The hallway suddenly felt colder.
"…I really don't like this," Iris whispered.
"…they're adjusting pressure."
"…CAN YOU STOP SAYING THAT."
"…accurate terminology."
"…I DON'T CARE."
Jared stared at the message.
Stop.
You're not ready.
A pause.
Then—
He typed a reply.
Iris grabbed his arm.
"…DON'T."
"…necessary."
"…JARED—"
SEND.
Silence.
"…what did you just do."
"…response."
"…WHAT RESPONSE."
Jared showed the screen.
"Define ready."
Silence.
Iris stared at him.
"…you're challenging them."
"…yes."
"…YOU'RE ACTUALLY CHALLENGING THEM."
"…inevitable."
A few seconds passed.
Then—
The reply came.
"You will learn."
Silence.
Iris stepped back.
"…I don't like that at all."
"…expected."
Jared locked his phone.
Eyes focused.
Because now—
It was clear.
This wasn't just observation.
Or testing.
It was escalation.
And he—
Triggered it.
"…sequence continues," he said quietly.
"…I want off this sequence."
"…not possible."
"…I'M GOING TO CRY."
"…inefficient."
"…I DON'T CARE."
Jared looked ahead.
Calm.
But inside—
Everything was accelerating.