The classroom was silent.
Only the monotonous voice of the math teacher could be heard, along with the faint scraping of chalk against the board.
—…and if we isolate the variable…
I wasn't paying attention.
Not at all.
My gaze was fixed on the window.
But my mind…
Was somewhere else.
Morris County.
Something had entered.
Something that wasn't there before.
I closed my eyes slightly.
The future vision still lingered in my mind.
The two girls.
The trunk.
The earth breaking apart.
Their bodies… deformed.
—They weren't normal.
Not like the "skinless."
Not like anything I had seen before.
This…
Was different.
—Real supernatural entities…
I rested my chin on my hand.
—But they're incomplete.
Unstable.
As if someone had tried to create them…
And failed.
My fingers tapped lightly against the desk.
—So there's another player.
That was what mattered.
Not the creatures.
But who made them.
—…
I looked forward.
The teacher kept talking.
—It doesn't matter.
Basics first.
Three counties.
I only control three.
The rest…
Is unknown territory.
And that…
I don't like.
—But tonight…
A faint smile formed on my lips.
—That changes.
At that moment—
RIIING.
The bell rang.
Finally.
I stood up without rushing.
---
Cafeteria
The noise hit instantly.
Voices.
Trays.
Laughter.
Normality.
A perfect façade.
I grabbed my food and sat down.
It didn't take long to spot them.
Madison.
Chloe.
I raised my hand slightly.
They saw me.
And came over.
As always.
They sat across from me.
—How were your classes? —I asked.
—Boring —Chloe said, resting her cheek on her hand.
—Normal —Madison added.
I nodded.
Of course.
They were good students.
Nothing new.
Madison looked at me directly.
—Are you really joining the football team?
—Yeah.
Simple answer.
Chloe raised an eyebrow.
—Do you even know how to play?
Silence.
I thought for a second.
Of course not.
But with this body…
It would be ridiculous to lose.
—I know the basics —I said finally.
Madison opened her mouth to say something…
But stopped.
My smile.
It stopped her.
—…
—I'll support you from the stands —she said instead.
—Me too —Chloe added.
—Thanks.
We kept talking for a while.
Light conversation.
Normal.
But I wasn't fully there.
Because…
—…
I could feel it.
Faint.
Distant.
But present.
Something moving.
Inside my territory.
---
After Classes
Time passed slowly.
As always.
But eventually…
It ended.
I said goodbye to Madison and Chloe with a simple gesture.
They smiled back.
Normal.
---
On the Way Home
The sky was beginning to darken.
Shadows stretched along the ground.
And the air…
Felt heavier.
—…
Something didn't add up.
I had felt it in the morning.
Clearly.
But now…
Nothing.
I frowned slightly.
—Did they hide?
I kept walking.
—…
—Interesting.
---
Night
My room was silent.
Dark.
Calm.
I slowly stood up.
—Alright…
My eyes turned cold.
—Time to work.
Clown suit.
Mask.
The night air felt cold against my skin.
I held the string of a balloon as it floated gently above me.
From below, a few pedestrians looked up.
Confused.
Others laughed.
—…
—Pathetic.
I disappeared.
---
Above
I floated.
Watching.
The city stretched beneath me like a board.
Lights.
Streets.
Shadows.
—…
I closed my eyes.
Focusing.
Searching.
Feeling.
—…
Nothing.
I slowly opened my eyes.
—That doesn't make sense.
I felt it this morning.
Clearly.
But now…
It was as if they had vanished.
Or worse…
—As if someone was hiding them.
My smile widened slightly.
—This just got more interesting.
---
The Hunt Begins
I snapped my fingers.
The sound was swallowed by the night.
—I guess this will be…
I tilted my head.
—A game of cat and mouse.
The wind moved my clothes slightly.
—But there's a problem.
My eyes glowed faintly.
—I'm not the cat.
Pause.
—I'm something worse.
---
Decision
I exhaled slowly.
—First…
—The girls.
If this escalates…
They'll be in danger.
And even if I don't care that much…
—They're spectators.
And my show…
Must not be ruined.
—…
—Besides…
My voice lowered.
—That lunatic hasn't called me yet.
---
Deeper Darkness
I looked toward the horizon.
—Real supernatural entities…
My eyes darkened completely.
—If I can capture one…
Pause.
—Or sacrifice it…
A faint laugh escaped me.
—The power I could gain…
Silence.
The wind blew stronger.
—…
—Then come.
My voice was low.
Cold.
Inviting.
—Show yourselves.
—Step into my territory.
—Break it.
A smile slowly returned.
More dangerous.
More real.
—Because when I find you…
I tightened my grip on the balloon string.
—There won't be a second chance.
---
Somewhere in Morris County…
Shadows moved.
The two figures advanced through alleyways.
Their deformed bodies twisted with every step.
Their heads moved erratically.
Searching.
Hating.
Following something.
Or someone.
And in the distance…
Something else was watching them.
Something hidden.
Something human.
Or maybe not.