"I'm going home," she said, trying to sound calm, but her heartbeat betrayed her. It was loud—too loud—drowning out her own thoughts. She could feel everyone's eyes on her. They had been staring since Alexander sat at her table, but now it felt like she was the center of everything.
She glanced back.
They were still coming.
Close.
Too close.
Their arms stretched forward in an unnatural way, as if to grab or choke her. She screamed and reached for her bag, but something else got to it first.
Something took it.
"No—!"
She struggled to pull it back, but the grip tightened. A cold hand—wrong, stiff—started crawling upward, reaching for her wrist.
Her breath caught.
Why? Why is this happening to me?
Even now, a strange part of her mind remained aware enough to question it. To observe it.
She looked around desperately.
No one moved.
No one even blinked.
They all sat there like statues—vacant,
distant—like they weren't truly present.
Something was wrong. It felt like a trance.
That makes it even worse… or maybe better?
A sudden tug snapped her attention back.
Something brushed her hand.
"Ah!"
She let go instantly, stumbling backward and falling to the floor.
Laughter erupted around her.
She looked up sharply.
Everyone was staring.
Everyone was laughing.
It wasn't the first time.
But it still hurt the same.
She pressed a hand to her chest, wishing the ground would just swallow her whole. As always, nothing happened.
Then she turned to Alexander.
He was watching her.
Expression unreadable.
He must be embarrassed… who wouldn't be?
But instead of leaving like she expected, he stood up.
Her breath stalled.
He's leaving.
But he wasn't.
He walked toward her.
The entire room fell silent.
Even Mariah leaned forward, eyes bright with anticipation.
Alexander crouched in front of her.
"Are you okay?" he asked, scanning her for injuries.
At least they didn't reach her…
His thoughts were sharp and conflicted.
'I need to train more. If I can't even block this level of intrusion, how am I supposed to protect her?'
Claire blinked at him, caught off guard by the concern in his voice.
Her chest tightened slightly.
"No," she admitted, then quickly shook her head. "I mean… yes. I'm fine."
She wasn't the type to show weakness. Not in front of anyone.
But somehow, with him… it didn't feel like weakness.
It felt safe.
Alexander helped her up.
"Come on. Let's get you cleaned up," he said gently.
She nodded and followed him.
The room stayed frozen in silence until they left.
Mariah looked like she might explode.
In the bathroom, Claire stared at herself in the mirror.
She looked messy—hair disheveled, face flushed, like she had just run for her life.
Which… she kind of had.
She exhaled slowly, washed up, and stepped out again.
Alexander was still there waiting.
He didn't ask questions.
That alone surprised her.
"Are you okay?" he asked again.
Claire almost laughed.
That might be the fifth time he's asked.
She gave a small smile. "Yeah. I'm okay."
And strangely… she meant it.
Normally, something like this would leave her shaken for days. But now, she felt… lighter. Like the weight wasn't sticking to her the same way it used to.
Maybe it was Cleo. Maybe it was something else.
Maybe it was him.
"Can you tell me what you saw?" Alexander asked suddenly.
She blinked.
No one ever asked her that.
No one ever cared enough to understand.
But he did.
Her throat tightened.
Before she realized it, tears slipped down her cheeks.
"Why are you crying?" Alexander asked, confused. He instinctively reached out, then paused mid-motion, as if unsure whether to touch her.
Claire touched her face in shock.
She was crying.
"I… I don't know," she admitted softly. "I guess I've just gotten used to people calling me weird… and no one ever asks me what actually happened. So I—"
"Got overwhelmed," Alexander finished gently.
She nodded.
He smiled faintly.
"You're a crybaby."
Despite everything, she laughed a little.
Then she told him everything.
Every detail. Every sensation. Every strange shift in the air.
While she spoke, she felt his thumb briefly brush under her eye again, wiping a tear she hadn't noticed falling.
Her voice faltered.
Since when do I cry this easily?
She glanced at him.
Warm. Steady. Unmoving like an anchor.
Maybe it's just… being around him.
A dangerous thought slipped in.
She imagined leaning on his shoulder. Crying without being judged. Being held together instead of falling apart.
Her eyes widened slightly at her own imagination.
No. That's insane.
She pressed her lips together, looking away.
Shadow stuff… mental barriers… and now emotional chaos? Great. I'm definitely losing it.