Chapter 15: Others Like Us
The next day didn't feel normal.
Not after everything.
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Emily walked through the school gates, her senses sharper than before.
Not because of the system.
But because she was paying attention now.
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"…Something's off," she murmured.
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Daniel, walking beside her, didn't look surprised.
"Yeah," he said. "I feel it too."
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The air felt heavier.
Like something had changed overnight.
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Then—
Emily stopped.
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"Do you feel that?" she asked.
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Daniel nodded slowly.
"…Yeah."
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Across the courtyard—
someone was watching them.
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A girl.
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Leaning casually against a tree, arms crossed.
Her expression?
Unimpressed.
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But her eyes—
sharp.
Observant.
Dangerous.
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"…She's not normal," Emily whispered.
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Daniel exhaled softly.
"No. She's not."
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The girl pushed herself off the tree and walked toward them.
Slow.
Confident.
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When she stopped in front of them—
she looked directly at Emily.
Not curious.
Not surprised.
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Like she had been expecting her.
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"…So," the girl said, tilting her head slightly, "you're the one causing all this noise."
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Emily frowned.
"What are you talking about?"
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The girl smirked.
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"Two anomalies in one place?" she said. "Yeah… that tends to attract attention."
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Daniel's expression hardened.
"You shouldn't be here."
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The girl laughed softly.
"Relax, Daniel."
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Emily blinked.
"You know her?"
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"Unfortunately," Daniel muttered.
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The girl extended her hand toward Emily.
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"Name's Zara."
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Emily hesitated… then shook it.
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The moment their hands touched—
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Emily felt it.
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A sharp pulse.
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Not like the system.
Not like her own power.
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Something unstable.
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Zara's smile widened slightly.
"…Yeah. You're definitely interesting."
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Emily pulled her hand back.
"What was that?"
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Zara ignored the question.
Instead—
she looked at both of them.
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"You guys are in trouble," she said simply.
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Silence.
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Daniel crossed his arms slightly.
"We already know that."
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Zara shook her head.
"No… you don't."
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Her expression shifted.
Serious now.
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"You've been noticed."
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Emily's stomach dropped.
"By what?"
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Zara didn't answer immediately.
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Instead—
she looked up.
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At the sky.
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"…Hunters."
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The word felt worse than "Eaters."
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Emily's chest tightened.
"Another type?"
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Zara nodded.
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"They don't wait like Eaters," she said. "They don't watch."
A pause.
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"They act."
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Daniel's jaw clenched.
"How long?"
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Zara looked back at him.
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"…Not long."
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As if on cue—
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A sudden pressure slammed into the air around them.
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Students froze.
Mid-step.
Mid-conversation.
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Time didn't stop—
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But something else did.
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Sound.
Movement.
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Everything felt… locked.
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Emily's eyes widened.
"What is this?!"
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Zara's expression turned sharp.
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"They're here."
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Daniel stepped slightly in front of Emily.
"Stay behind me."
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"Not happening," Emily said immediately.
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But then—
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The sky above them darkened.
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Not with clouds.
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With something moving.
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Fast.
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Something dropped from above—
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Landing silently in the middle of the courtyard.
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Tall.
Covered in black, armor-like shadows.
Its face hidden—
but its presence overwhelming.
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Emily's breath caught.
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This wasn't like the Eater.
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This felt—
focused.
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Intentional.
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Like it had a mission.
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It slowly lifted its head.
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And then—
it spoke.
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Not in her mind.
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Out loud.
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"Target acquired."
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Emily froze.
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"…It's talking."
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Zara stepped forward slightly.
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"Yeah," she said.
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"And that's the problem."
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The creature's gaze locked directly onto Emily.
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"Anomaly one."
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Then—
it shifted slightly.
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Toward Daniel.
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"Anomaly two."
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Daniel's expression darkened.
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Zara cracked her neck slightly.
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"Well…" she muttered,
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"This just got worse."
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The creature took one step forward.
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And the ground beneath it—
cracked.
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"Capture protocol initiated."
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Emily's heart slammed against her chest.
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This wasn't a warning.
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This was a hunt.
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And they—
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Were the targets.