As Jelo walked through the corridor, he could feel the smooth coldness of the mask rubbing against his back. He'd tucked it under his shirt to keep it hidden, and the ceramic surface pressed cool and hard against his skin with every step he took.
He reasoned inwardly that this wasn't the best of plans. Not even close. It was crude, hastily thought out, full of holes. Under normal circumstances, he would have spent more time planning, more time preparing. He would have scouted Xino's routines, found the perfect moment, the perfect place. He would have been smarter about it.
But at the moment, he wasn't fully himself.
It was like something primal had taken over him. Something raw and angry and unstoppable. His mind was focused on one thing and one thing only, taking down Xino. The rational part of him, the part that usually hesitated and second-guessed, had been pushed aside. All that was left was the burning need for revenge.
So this crude plan would have to do for now.
Jelo continued walking, his footsteps quiet against the polished floor. The corridors were still relatively active, with students moving between areas, some heading to the cafeteria, others toward the common rooms. He passed a few groups without drawing much attention. Just another student wandering the halls.
He turned a corner and headed toward the common room. It was one of the larger social spaces in the academy, with couches, tables, and screens where students could relax between classes. If Xino wasn't there, Jelo would check the gym next. And if not the gym, then the training halls. Somewhere. He'd find him somewhere.
When Jelo stepped into the common room, his eyes immediately scanned the space.
There were maybe a dozen students scattered around. Some were sitting on couches, talking quietly. Others were huddled around a screen, watching something. A few were alone, reading or tapping away at their wrist devices.
And then his eyes locked with Mira's.
She was sitting on one of the couches near the center of the room, a tablet in her lap. Her eyes widened slightly when she saw him, clearly surprised. Surprised that he was standing. Surprised that he was moving around so quickly, looking almost normal after the beating he'd taken just hours ago.
Jelo looked away immediately. He didn't have time for questions. He had to find Xino.
He swept his gaze across the room once more, searching for that short blonde-haired figure. But Xino wasn't there.
Jelo turned and headed back out into the corridor without a word.
Where could he be?
He thought about it for a moment. The gym. That was a likely place. Xino seemed like the type who'd spend his free time training, showing off, flexing his strength in front of others. It made sense.
Jelo headed in that direction, moving through the corridors with purpose now. His heart was beating steadily, but it wasn't nervousness. It was anticipation. Focus.
As he walked, he kept his eyes sharp, scanning every hallway, every corner.
And then he saw him.
A short boy with blonde hair, walking in front of him, maybe thirty feet ahead.
A smile crossed Jelo's face. He'd found Xino.
Xino was walking alone, his hands in his pockets, his posture relaxed. He seemed engrossed in thought, distracted. His head was slightly tilted down, and his eyes didn't scan his surroundings. He wasn't paying attention to anything around him. Not the other students passing by. Not the corridors branching off to the sides. Not even the faint sound of footsteps behind him.
He was completely unaware.
Perfect.
Jelo slowed his pace slightly, keeping his distance. He didn't want to get too close yet. Not until they were somewhere more isolated. Somewhere no one would stumble across them.
He began to stalk Xino, following him through the winding corridors. Xino turned left, then right, then down another hallway. Jelo stayed behind him, always just far enough back to avoid suspicion, close enough to keep him in sight.
After a few minutes, they reached a quieter part of the academy. The corridors here were narrower, darker. Fewer lights. Fewer students. The walls were older, the floor less polished. This was one of the older sections of the building, the parts that weren't used as much anymore.
Jelo's pulse quickened. This was good. This was exactly what he needed.
He reached back and pulled the mask out from under his shirt. The cool ceramic felt solid in his hands. He lifted it up and slipped it over his face, adjusting the straps until it fit snugly. The jade eyes lined up perfectly with his own, and the fangs jutted down menacingly.
Now he was ready.
He continued trailing Xino, his footsteps even quieter now. The mask made him feel different. Stronger. More dangerous. Like he'd shed his old self and become something else. Something that Xino should fear.
They walked for a while longer, deeper into the old section of the academy. The air here was cooler, the silence heavier. The faint hum of the academy's systems was barely audible.
And then, finally, they reached it.
A dark staircase.
It led downward, into what looked like a maintenance area or storage basement. The kind of place students didn't go unless they had a reason. The kind of place where no one would hear anything.
Perfect.
Jelo began to move closer, his body tensing as he prepared to make his move. His hand flexed at his side, ready to strike. His breathing was controlled, steady. This was it. This was the moment.
But then Xino suddenly burst into a chuckle.
The sound was low and mocking, echoing faintly in the empty corridor.
Jelo froze.
Xino stopped walking and spoke without turning around, his voice calm and amused. "You know, Jelo," he said, "you should have attacked me much earlier. Long before we reached here."
Jelo's eyes widened slightly behind the mask.
How did he…?
Before Jelo could react, two other boys suddenly stepped out from the shadows of the staircase. They moved into view smoothly, like they'd been waiting there the entire time. Their faces were familiar, the same boys who'd been with Xino earlier.
And then Xino turned around.
He was smiling. A wide, confident smile that made Jelo's blood run cold.
Now there were three boys advancing on Jelo, their footsteps slow and deliberate, their eyes locked on him.
Xino's smile widened. "Did you really think I wouldn't notice you following me?" he said, his voice dripping with amusement. "Come on, Jelo. I expected better."
Jelo's heart pounded in his chest. His mind raced.
This was a trap.
He'd walked right into it.