Chapter 17

The moment their eyes met, Jerry knew.

The new "student" walking the hall wasn't human. It wore the face of a teenager—maybe sixteen, sharp features, perfect posture—but Jerry could smell it.

Burnt ozone. Wet stone. Death hiding behind a smile.

The thing nodded politely at a passing teacher, then gave Jerry a look.

It didn't speak.

It didn't need to.

I see you.

Jerry stepped backward.

A low growl curled in his throat before he could stop it.

Careful, little predator… eyes are watching.

Second Floor – Science Wing

The bell rang. Students flooded the hall.

Jerry's heart thundered as he blended into the crowd. He moved fast, eyes scanning every reflection in glass, every locker shadow. But the thing wasn't following.

No—waiting.

He reached the empty chemistry lab and closed the door behind him. Tried to calm his breathing.

"Think… just think—"

The lights flickered.

Then the door behind him creaked open.

He turned.

The fake student stood in the doorway. Its smile was gone.

"You're unstable," the thing hissed in a voice not made for humans. "The flesh rejects the gift. You'll shatter long before you ascend."

Jerry stepped back. "What are you?"

The creature stepped forward—its body rippling like ink.

"I am the first of many. The Abyss stirs. We are sent to harvest the false-born."

Jerry's fingers curled into fists.

"I'm not false."

"No," the creature said, now fully shifting—skin peeling back into a multi-limbed predator. "You're just unfinished."

And then it attacked.

The Fight – Inside the Lab

The monster lunged, claws raking through metal tables, glass beakers exploding into shards.

Jerry dodged—but only barely.

His transformation triggered mid-air—not full, but enough.

Abyssborn arms burst from beneath his jacket, veined with violet-black glow. His eyes flashed predatory yellow.

He caught the next strike and slammed the thing through a lab table.

"You picked the wrong school," he growled.

The creature laughed—its tongue a serpent's tail. "No… we picked the only one."

Jerry felt it then.

Not just one Echo. Two more.

Outside the room.

They weren't alone.

The monster twisted in his grip and vomited acid across Jerry's chest. He screamed, his skin burning—monster or not.

He staggered.

The creature used the moment to pounce again—slashing across Jerry's ribs. Blood sprayed against the walls.

Jerry roared. Shadows erupted from his back—phantom limbs of energy, lashing like whips. He pinned the monster mid-air and ripped its arm off.

"Go back to the dark you came from."

And with a final surge of strength, Jerry hurled the creature through the window—glass shattering as it plummeted into the school courtyard.

Outside – Courtyard Chaos

Students screamed.

The injured monster writhed on the ground, snapping bones back into place.

Jerry leapt down after it—landed in front of dozens of phones and cameras pointed right at him.

He didn't care anymore.

He stood tall—bleeding, fanged, monstrous.

"I said—go back."

And with one final strike, he drove his claws through the monster's chest.

The body evaporated into a cloud of violet ash.

Silence.

Dozens of terrified students staring at him.

One girl fainted.

Another dropped her phone.

Jerry looked up—and saw Emily in the crowd.

Eyes wide.

Lips parted.

Heart broken.

She had seen everything.

Somewhere Far Away – Watching Through a Device

A hooded figure watched the livestream of the courtyard chaos.

The video cut out just as Jerry's face turned toward the camera.

The figure smiled.

"Found you."

(To be continued...)