Chapter 14

As Issac and Jaren continued their meal, chatting and laughing about mundane college life, a strange sensation prickled at the back of Issac's neck. It wasn't anything he could put his finger on at first, just a feeling—an instinct that something was off.

He glanced out the window to the courtyard beyond, his eyes scanning the area. The midday sun was bright, casting long shadows across the campus, and students were walking between buildings, some heading to the library, others to classes. It was just another ordinary afternoon. But then he noticed something—a cloaked figure standing near a bench in the distance, half-hidden by the shade of a tree.

The figure was too far away to make out any details, but something about the stance, the way they stood perfectly still, sent a chill down Issac's spine. It was as if the person was watching them, or perhaps waiting for something. The cloak they wore was dark, almost blending into the shadows, making it hard to get a good look. The silhouette was just ambiguous enough to make it hard to discern gender or any other defining features.

Jaren was busy with his food, laughing at a joke Issac had just made, and didn't seem to notice. But Issac's eyes kept darting back to the figure, drawn by a feeling he couldn't quite explain.

"Jaren," Issac said quietly, lowering his voice. "Do you see that guy outside? Over by the tree, near the bench?"

Jaren glanced up, following Issac's gaze. He squinted, not seeing anything at first. "Where? I don't see anyone."

Issac nodded toward the figure, a bit more tense now. "The person in the cloak. They've been standing there for a while."

Jaren finally noticed him, his expression faltering slightly. "That's... weird. It's not like anyone really stands still like that, not with all the people moving around."

Issac frowned, leaning back in his chair, his eyes still glued to the cloaked figure. "Something feels off about it. I don't know what, but..."

The figure shifted, stepping out from the shadow of the tree for a brief moment, and Issac saw the glint of something—possibly an emblem or a patch, though it was too far away to make out clearly. Before he could get a better look, the figure melted back into the shadows again, disappearing from sight.

"Maybe they're just waiting for someone?" Jaren suggested, still unsure.

But Issac wasn't convinced. The timing felt too coincidental, especially after everything that had been happening with his registration. A shadowy figure watching them like that didn't feel like a random student. Something about the way they had been standing so perfectly still screamed surveillance.

"Maybe," Issac said, though his tone was skeptical. "But it doesn't sit right with me."

Jaren set his utensils down, his expression now more serious. "You think it could be someone from the government? Watching you because of the registration?"

Issac bit his lip, feeling his stomach tighten. "It's possible. The government's been acting weird lately, and with everything going on, I wouldn't be surprised if they're keeping an eye on me."

Jaren nodded slowly, his brow furrowing. "We should probably keep an eye on that guy, just in case."

Issac glanced out the window once more, but the figure was gone, vanished without a trace. A sinking feeling of unease settled in his gut. "Yeah," he muttered, "But I doubt we're done with whoever—or whatever—that was."

As the cloaked figure disappeared, Issac and Jaren sat in silence for a moment, the weight of the mystery pressing on them. Jaren's hands fidgeted with the edge of his napkin, his mind racing. Issac could tell Jaren was contemplating what to do next. He knew his friend was trying to process everything—his own awakening, the mysterious figure, and now the sense that something much bigger was going on.

Finally, Jaren leaned forward, pulling out his phone with a determined look. "I need to call my dad again," he said, his voice steady but with a hint of urgency.

Issac watched as Jaren tapped through his contacts, dialed the number, and brought the phone to his ear. It only took a few rings before a deep voice answered on the other end.

"General Zarek," Jaren said, his tone serious, "It's me. We've got a problem."

Issac sat back in his chair, trying to seem calm, though his nerves were far from it. He glanced around the cafeteria, watching students bustle about, completely unaware of the tension hanging in the air. He didn't want to feel paranoid, but it was hard to shake the feeling that there were eyes on him.

Jaren's conversation continued in a low voice, making it impossible for Issac to catch all the details, though he could hear the urgency in Jaren's words. It was clear the general wasn't thrilled about the situation.

"Dad," Jaren said after a pause, "There was... someone outside just now. Cloaked, standing near the tree by the courtyard. I'm pretty sure they were watching us." He paused again, listening to his father's response.

Issac tried not to react visibly. He'd already known that the cloaked figure had raised suspicions for him, but hearing that Jaren was also on edge made his gut tighten even more. He kept his gaze on Jaren, whose eyes had narrowed slightly as he processed whatever his father was saying.

The pause lengthened before Jaren finally spoke again. "Right. I understand. I'll stay alert, but... I think we might need your help." There was a hint of frustration in his voice as he spoke, but also a note of vulnerability. Jaren wasn't one to ask for help easily, especially not from his father. "It's not just the guy outside. Something's off. I don't know if the government's got people tracking us or if it's something else, but... it's starting to feel like more than a coincidence."

There was a low murmur on the other end, and Jaren's brow furrowed. "Okay, thanks, Dad. I'll keep you updated. Yeah, I'll make sure Issac's safe too."

The conversation ended with Jaren hanging up, running a hand through his wet hair as he let out a deep breath. "Dad says to stay on alert, but he's sending a few people to check out the area. He doesn't like the idea of us being watched—especially not with everything going on."

Issac nodded, trying to suppress the knot of tension that had formed in his stomach. "Good. It's probably smart to have some backup. But I still don't know why the government's interest in me is so strong."

Jaren gave him a sidelong glance, his tone soft but serious. "Maybe they know more than we do. Maybe they've figured something out that we haven't."

A sudden chill ran through Issac, not from the cold of the cafeteria but from the implications of Jaren's words. He had always known that the government had secrets. But now, it seemed like those secrets were closing in on him.

Jaren glanced around the cafeteria, his eyes scanning for any signs of trouble. "I'll stay with you for now. If anything happens, we'll stick together."

Issac nodded, grateful for the reassurance. But he couldn't shake the thought that whatever was coming next, it was going to be worse than they could imagine. The cloaked figure, the increasing government pressure, and the sense that things were spinning out of control—it all pointed to a larger, more dangerous game.

"I'm going to be watching my back," Issac said, almost to himself, as they finished their food. "It's not just about being an Esper anymore. It's about staying one step ahead."

Jaren nodded in agreement, his jaw tightening slightly. "We have to stay one step ahead. If we don't, we might not get the chance to make any moves at all."

The tension between them was thick, the air around them suddenly heavy. The cafeteria was bustling with the usual chatter, but Issac couldn't shake the feeling that someone, or something, was watching them, even without the cloaked figure in sight. The suddenness of the situation, combined with the uncertainty of his own status, left him on edge.

They left the cafeteria and began walking back toward their dorms, the sound of their footsteps almost drowned out by the noise of the students around them. But even as they kept up a casual pace, Issac felt a sense of urgency driving him. The government was making its move, and somehow, he was caught in the middle of it.

"Jaren," Issac started, breaking the silence. "You ever thought about just leaving all this behind? The government, the dungeons, everything. Get out of the country or something?"

Jaren glanced at him, surprised. "What? You mean run?"

Issac nodded, his hands stuffed in his pockets, his voice low. "If the government wants us so badly, we're never going to be left alone. Maybe we should think about getting away, for real."

Jaren thought for a moment, eyes scanning their surroundings as if the walls themselves might be listening. "I've thought about it... but you know as well as I do, running isn't an option. Not if we want to change things. If we run, they'll just find someone else. We can't let them win."

Issac exhaled, frustrated, but there was a sliver of agreement in Jaren's words. He knew the fight wasn't over, not by a long shot. He just wished he knew what they were fighting against.

"Still, we need to keep our heads down for now," Jaren added as they reached their dorm building. "Maybe we can figure something out. Get a few leads, maybe even talk to my dad again."

Issac nodded, but as they stepped into the building, he felt a strange sense of unease. He had been living his life in the dark for so long, and now the walls seemed to be closing in on him. This was different than before—the stakes were higher, the government more relentless, and whatever they wanted from him, it wasn't just about his Esper powers anymore.

Inside the dorm, they parted ways to go to their respective rooms. Issac stood in the doorway of his room for a moment, still deep in thought. He needed answers. He needed to know why the government was so invested in him, and what they were planning to do next.

Just as he was about to close the door, he heard a soft knock. Startled, Issac opened the door to find Jaren standing there, looking more serious than usual.

"Hey," Jaren said quietly, "I forgot to mention something."

"What is it?"

Jaren glanced around, checking the hallway before leaning in slightly. "My dad might have an idea about how they're tracking you. It's not just about your Esper registration. There's more to it. He's working on it now."

Issac frowned. "How do you know?"

"I overheard him talking with a few of his officers. They're concerned about the frequency of dungeons opening up near the college, and the connection to newly awakened Espers. My dad thinks they might be using the dungeons to track us, especially the ones who are still unregistered."

That made Issac's stomach churn. The idea that they could be using the dungeons themselves to monitor him—and other Espers—was terrifying. It wasn't just about running or hiding anymore. The government had built a web of surveillance, one that was designed to catch Espers the moment they stepped out of line.

"Do you think your dad can help us?" Issac asked, his voice tight with the weight of the situation.

Jaren nodded slowly. "He's working on it. But for now, we need to stay under the radar. We can't trust anyone at the registration center, and we need to figure out a way to get some more information before we make any moves."

Issac nodded, his brain racing with possibilities. The pressure was mounting, and every decision they made would have consequences. The more he thought about it, the more he realized that this wasn't just about survival—it was about taking control of the situation.

"I'll stay low," Issac said. "And I'll keep my eyes and ears open. But if anyone tries to make a move, we'll need to act fast."

Jaren's expression softened, his eyes locked onto Issac's. "We're in this together."

Issac's lips pressed into a thin line as he nodded, but deep down, he couldn't shake the feeling that they were only just beginning to unravel the web of secrets the government had spun around them. The shadows were closing in, and he had no idea who—or what—was pulling the strings.