Aurex had learned to defy sleep, a nightly ritual born of fear. Every evening, a silent, floating eye would appear, watching him. And every evening, Aurex would force himself to stare back, unblinking, until it vanished. He didn't know what it was, but he knew one thing for sure: falling asleep while it lingered meant something terrible would happen.
This morning, like every other, he woke up feeling unnervingly sharp, as if his body had subtly shifted since the eye's first appearance. He dressed, ate, offered the expected smiles, and followed his routine. But then, a new unsettling feeling emerged.
As he ate breakfast with his family, his gaze kept drifting to his sister's handbag, sitting by her chair as usual. This time, though, it felt different – like it was actively calling to him. A knot of unease tightened in his chest. It wasn't curiosity; it was a potent compulsion, a certainty that something vital, something he absolutely shouldn't see, was inside.
He tried to act natural. "Hey," he said, pointing, "You teach little kids, right? Is that where you keep their names and grades and stuff?"
His sister turned to him, her smile wide and a little too perfect. She paused for a moment before replying, "No, I remember all their names perfectly."
Aurex frowned. "Then what's inside it?"
She tilted her head, pondering. "Hmm. I don't know. I've never opened it." Then she giggled. "It's a secret i guess." She stood, brushing crumbs from her clothes. "Anyway, I'm late," she added. "See you later!" And just like that, she was gone.
Aurex watched her leave, his mind reeling. She's never opened it? It was her handbag. She brought it every day. But she didn't know what was inside? He pushed away his half-eaten toast and stood. I have to get out of this place.
School dragged on. Aurex went through the motions, blending in. At lunch, he sat alone until Torren appeared again, sliding into the seat across from him with a sheepish grin.
"I waited," Torren said quietly. "I didn't leave because I didn't want to leave you here alone. When you're ready, find me."
Aurex stared at him. The same face, the same voice. But now, he didn't trust it. "Okay. Thanks," Aurex replied, carefully. Inside, he was already pulling away. Today, he had a different plan.
He spent the rest of the day observing the crowd. Then he spotted Kaien, the boy who had noticed him days ago. When the final bell rang, Aurex followed him toward the gates.
"Hey," Aurex called out. "We need to talk."
Kaien looked at him and nodded once. "Let's go somewhere quiet."
They found a secluded spot behind the school, by the old utility shed no one ever used, far from prying eyes.
"You were looking at me today," Aurex began. "In the cafeteria. Did you… did you see anyone with me?"
Kaien didn't answer immediately. Then he asked a question that sent a chill down Aurex's spine: "Did you see anyone with me?"
Aurex's breath hitched. "No," he said slowly. "You were sitting alone."
Kaien nodded. "So were you."
Aurex blinked. "What are you saying?"
Kaien leaned against the wall, crossing his arms. "I think you're the only one who'll believe me. There was someone with me. A boy, around my age. He sat with me every lunch. Said we had to escape. Said this place was wrong."
Aurex's heart hammered in his ears. "His name was Torren," he blurted out before he could stop himself.
Kaien's expression remained unchanged. "I don't care about his name. But I know what he wanted. He wanted me to break the rules."
Aurex sat down. "Mine too. He kept pushing me to leave. To cross the fence."
"Persistent?" Kaien asked. "Wouldn't drop it?"
Aurex nodded. "He told me it was safe. That nothing would happen."
Kaien sighed. "They're clever. They pretend to be just like us. But they're not."
"How do you know?" Aurex asked.
Kaien's voice dropped lower. "Because this is my second place."
Aurex blinked. "Your what?"
"It'll make sense soon," Kaien said. "You're close. Just… stay awake. As long as you can. Every night. Until it happens."
"What happens?" Aurex asked, almost pleading.
Kaien offered a tired smile. "You'll get a call."
Aurex frowned. "A call?"
"Not like a phone call. You'll feel it. Like a pull. Like a door opening in your head."
Aurex hesitated. "So what do I do about him?" He didn't need to say Torren's name.
Kaien looked Aurex directly in the eye. "Play along. For now. He's not dangerous,not yet. He wants you to slip. Break a rule. Get erased."
"So he's not real?"
"He's not what you think."
A long silence stretched between them. Finally, Kaien stood. "You're awake, Aurex. Just keep your eyes open. Always. They're watching to see what you do next."
He turned and walked away, leaving Aurex in the shade, with more answers,and a thousand more questions.