The academic wing stretched in long rectangular halls, bright lamps lined into the ceiling in neat intervals.
Bulletin boards clung to the walls, most covered in fresh notices and semester schedules. The faint hum of air vents and the occasional shuffle of footsteps gave the corridor its atmosphere.
Don and Charles walked side by side, the silence between them casual, not strained. They'd split earlier to register for their classes, and now that it was done, their talk returned to where it had been left.
Charles walked with his hands in his pockets, his silver hair shifting slightly with each step. Don walked looser, arms down, eyes occasionally glancing over the passing rooms.
"No matter how I look at it," Charles began, his voice low, "this whole thing feels off. I find it hard to believe my family is unaware and didn't inform me. Either this truly is a unique opportunity… or we're being played."
"Are you skeptical of joining?" Don asked.
