Chapter 14

The next morning, I ate breakfast to the sound of the reports and my family's conversations. I concentrated on my food, too tired from studying and lying awake the night before. The image of the man at the window had haunted me through my dreams and chased away any semblance of sleep.

The reporter on the broadcast device droned on in the background. My mother stopped talking and glanced at it when she heard the guy mention the Valdemaras Region Student Resource Center at midnight.

"Miranda," she said, her voice a warning tone.

"I wasn't there at midnight," I said.

The reporter's voice kept going. "Nearby, a convoy of material trucks delivering supplies to a facility in Valdemaras was derailed last night by an unknown figure wearing only black. We believe this incident is linked to the restaurant incident, and Hex Officials are currently searching their records for a potential suspect."

"What material?" my father asked. Of course, the broadcast device didn't answer him. He sighed and shook his head. "How are we supposed to believe we're safe in Incipio if the government can't do their job? Unknown figure this, searching their records that. They should have eliminated any sort of threat by now."

I kept silent. I didn't want to add that I had seen this unknown figure last night, that he had appeared to me before the window in the student center. Wouldn't that implicate me? Incipio citizens were supposed to report anything that didn't seem right.

But then again, wouldn't it make me look like I was hallucinating?

I stood up from the table. The report about the supply vehicle derailment had been the final report, and - "I should get to class."

"Be careful," my mother said again, warning eyes flashing.

"I will," I answered.

All morning, the forest eyes of the black-clothed man haunted me. Two questions kept surfacing on the roiling sea of my thoughts. First of all, why had he bothered to make such conscious, deliberate eye contact with me both times he'd appeared? And second, why did I feel that disquieting sense of familiarity when he looked into my eyes?

I made it through my morning classes, though I struggled to focus on the assignments and lectures. Everywhere I went, there were those striking green eyes: phantom images worn on the faces of people I knew, vanishing after a heartbeat. During our lunch period, I escaped into the cafeteria with my five classmates from Third Level, hoping they'd take my mind off the incident.

But they didn't. Kalle was sullen, poking at her food and complaining about how she had too much homework. Cas hardly said anything. Elen gave up trying to make everyone feel better and sat on the opposite side of the table, her gaze flicking from one person to another. Shiri and Tristan kept sharing looks that I couldn't decode.

The screen at the front of the room, which until now had showed a static blue screen, flickered. Several heads turned at the sight, but even Shiri didn't look up at our table. I kept my eyes on the screen and watched as the crest of the System's Council appeared, followed by an image of the Premier Chancellor, Nero Randall, sitting at a desk, hands folded in front of him. He wore the same navy blue as all of the rest of us, but somehow his outfit looked cleaner and more professional. His graying hair was cut close to his skull, and he had a stern, unforgiving face, lined by the years heading the office but smoothed over by whatever techniques they used to eliminate signs of aging.

"Greetings, citizens of Incipio," he said. "This is an essential announcement, which means we require you to stop what you are doing."

When his voice split the air, more eyes turned in the direction of the screen. People even stopped eating. Most of the gazes cast upon the screen were curious, but when I glanced across at Kalle, I saw suspicion clear in her eyes. Distrust. Something we weren't supposed to feel toward the Council, let alone show. It seemed most of us lately were feeling things we shouldn't.

"I'm sure that recently you have heard the reports of an unidentified criminal. The Council wanted to further inform you on these reports," he said, his eyes never leaving the camera. "Unfortunately, we have neither identified nor located him yet. However, the System's Eliminators and Officers have been tasked with finding him, and they will do so soon. In the meantime, we issue a warning to all of you. If you do encounter anyone wearing black or anyone involved in suspicious activities, we highly encourage you to report such sights to whomever you can." He nodded. "Thank you. This concludes the announcement."

Nero Randall disappeared from the screen, and slowly, the cafeteria around us fell back into a normal noise level. People resumed their conversations, likely forgetting the Chancellor's announcement. To them, Incipio was safe.

At our table, there was one collective response.

"Shit."

We all stared at each other, food momentarily forgotten. None of us had to speak. We'd seen this criminal, and we remembered this criminal, neither of which was supposed to happen. We'd thought this was a one-time incident, but now, weeks later, the unidentified man had committed another infraction against Incipio and even Chancellor Nero Randall had to address the problem. We'd all thought Incipio was safe and protected against those who would break the law.

This was a breach in their defenses.

No one spoke for the rest of the lunch period. In fact, none of us really touched our food. As I departed for class afterward, Kalle gave me a short wave, but I heard nothing from anyone else. We couldn't deny that, even though Nero Randall's face refused to betray it, something was very wrong.