[A few minutes earlier]
Something felt off.
Elana muttered under her breath as she crossed the eastern stretch—wide open, empty, and completely devoid of obstacles.
Her gut told her she'd made the wrong move. But her plan was airtight, covering every region where the Professor could be hiding.
Pushing the unease aside, she sprinted toward the northern tip, thinking Aries and Brendon might have been attacked.
But when she arrived—
"…What the hell are you two doing here?" she demanded, eyes narrowing at the sight of Aries and Brendon moving toward her.
"I… uh… wait—fuck!" Aries blurted, realizing the truth at the same moment Elana did.
Brendon spoke it aloud. "Our backup is under attack!"
No more words were exchanged. The three of them bolted toward the southern tip—their starting point.
Elana's mind reeled. The Professor had done the one thing she didn't expect—not hunting anyone down, but lying in wait to strike at the group that least expected him.
