Breaking and Entry into Eight

The faint hum of an approaching vehicle cut through the night air. A sleek, black hover car descended just beyond the academy's perimeter, its underlights casting a faint blue glow on the pavement. At the same moment, hurried footsteps echoed from the corridor leading back to the dorms.

Micah.

Breathless, slightly disheveled, but here.

"Alright, I'm good," he huffed, jogging up to them. "Told you I wouldn't ditch."

Lucas shot him a sharp look. "You sure? Stomach isn't acting up anymore?"

Micah scoffed. "Don't push it, Lucas."

The others ignored the banter as the car settled just outside the high-tech gates. The security interface scanned the vehicle, cross-referencing its registration with the temporary clearance the gate guard had arranged. A few seconds later, a discreet beep signaled approval, and the gates slid open just enough for them to step through.