Hungry Room [Part 1]

Aziz's eyes darted around the room, his sharp senses picking up every detail. He recognized no one at first, just a collection of wary, bloodied faces, their gazes flicking nervously between one another.

Some looked too young for what they'd endured, others were visibly hardened, carrying the kind of scars only war could leave.

And then, in the farthest corner of the room, he saw a familiar figure perched on a top bunk. Marcus.

"Glad to see you, Master Ghost," Marcus whispered as he slid off the bunk and approached. His tone was calm, but Aziz caught the relief in his voice.

Aziz nodded, grateful to see a familiar face amidst the sea of strangers.

"Likewise," he muttered. His shoulders relaxed just a fraction.

But the reprieve was short-lived.

The other teens stared at them, their whispers barely audible but unmistakable.

"Is that him? Ghost?"

"S-rank."

"And the other one's A-rank…"