In the dimly lit archives of the Dana Porter Library, Professor Bobby Dowding's eyes scanned over the dusty words on the pages of an old leather-bound book. The musty scent of worn paper filled his nostrils as he carefully turned each delicate page, engrossed in the history of the Waterloo Region. Suddenly, a soft scuttling sound echoed through the silent room, making him pause and look up, curiosity piquing.
"Who's there?" he called out tentatively, his voice sounding unnervingly loud in the quiet space. As he turned toward the source of the sound, his heart nearly stopped when he locked eyes with Gluttony, their glowing orange eyes locked on him. Terror gripped him like icy fingers around his throat, leaving him breathless and trembling.
"Give me that book," Gluttony demanded, his voice a guttural growl that made Bobby freeze on the spot. Desperate to escape this nightmare, the professor began to hand over the text when Ethel burst into the room, her dark eyes ablaze with determination.
"Leave him alone!" she shouted, snatching the book from Bobby's shaking hands. With a last glance at the terrified man, she raced up the stairs, Gluttony hot on her heels. Bursting through the library doors into the night, she was momentarily blinded by a powerful spotlight, and the authoritative voice of a police officer rang out.
"Freeze! You're surrounded! Surrender now!" the officer commanded. Confused and panting for breath, Ethel glanced back to see no sign of Gluttony. How had they disappeared? She didn't have time to ponder on the question, and with a surge of power, she paused time itself, allowing her to slip away to the parking lot, where Zack awaited her in the car.
"Step on it," she urged, slamming the door shut as Zack peeled out of the parking lot. "Gluttony was at the library as we suspected you sense them if you concentrate hard enough, and I think they tipped off the cops about my arrival. They can sense you like you can sense them, which makes sneaking up on them nearly impossible."
Zack's blue eyes flashed with frustration as he gripped the steering wheel a little tighter. "So how do we get close if they can see us coming and why was he at the library?" he asked, jaw set in determination.
"They wanted this old book for some reason," Ethel answered as she flipped through the pages. They raced down the street, and Ethel suddenly stiffened, sensing a familiar aura. "Jessica's after us," she muttered, just as the piercing wail of sirens filled the air and red and blue lights reflected in the rear-view mirror. Cursing under her breath, Ethel directed Zack down a narrow side road, hoping to lose their pursuers.
Once they were safely tucked into a dark alley, Ethel returned to flipping through the tome. She knew Gluttony wanted it for a reason, and she had to find it first. Flipping through the old pages, her eyes widened when she found it.
"This is why Gluttony was so interested in this book," she said, pulling out a scrap of paper with a strange symbol scrawled upon it. Zack glanced at it briefly, his eyes wide in recognition.
"I've seen that symbol before – on Deb's ring. The gold one with the blood moonstone in the center," he revealed, his instinct told him he needed to let Rob know. As they processed this new discovery, Ethel made a quick decision.
"Stop and get out," she ordered, Zack shot her a look of confusion. "We can't be caught together. I just had a vision and if you stay that is exactly what will happen." With a nod, Zack stepped out of the car and melted into the darkness, leaving Ethel to speed away alone.
---
Elsewhere, Boon sat on the cold, sterile examination table at the doctor's office, recounting his recent nightmares. The fluorescent lights above flickered, casting eerie shadows on the walls.
"They always start out so normal but then there are these glowing eyes that seem to be looking into my very soul," as he spoke, a sudden wave of fear washed over him, and the quiet office began to shift, he found himself struggling to breathe as the air in the office began to thicken.
The doctor turned around and Ethel stood before him, her eyes glowing with an unnatural green hue. Her face twisted into a snarl as her body began to twist, her fang grew out and claws extended from her fingertips. Boon tried to scream, but no sound came out. Just as she lunged for him, he jerked awake, gasping for breath. The doctor scribbled away on his notepad and looked to find Boon awake.
"Sleep paralysis," the doctor explained, scribbling something on his clipboard. "It can come with hallucinations." Boon's fingers curled into fists as he thought more about the strangeness going on around him - the article he read said that sins curse people with immense power in exchange for following them, Ethel seemed to truly believe she could stop time, she had glowing eyes just like the creature and she and Zack have been having secret meetings all semester. What if it was all real, then Zack's talent could be from being Ethel's vessel. It all made sense, the claw marks in the shower and the fact that Zack suddenly was better than everyone on the team but wasn't scouted beforehand. He decided he would have to find out for himself.
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---
It was dark as Zack approached his dorm, Boon emerged from the parking lot to confront him "Hey Dawson," he said casually, leaning against the wall, "You know I read something really interesting the other day."
Zack frowned, feeling a pang of unease. "What do you want, Boon?"
"Nothing, I just thought you might be interested in this article," Boon replied, his voice low and threatening. "It talks all about these weird creatures called vessels, they have powers including enhanced agility. Wouldn't it be crazy if they were real, they could turn a nobody into an all-star."
"Boon, you're crazy," Zack snapped, trying to hide his shock. "You are not making any sense!" Without another word, he slipped inside the building, leaving Boon seething outside.
As he entered their dorm room still reeling from the conversation with Boon, Zack found Rob hunched over his desk, studying folklore about fairy folk. "I want to be prepared for anything," Rob explained, sensing Zack's curiosity. "Besides, I might have a plan, but it involves Deb's ring you texted me about."
"Her ring?" Zack's heart sank. "I haven't really talked to her since we broke up. I don't think I can just ask her for her ring."
"Then maybe it's time you tried, I looked into those symbols and we really need that ring" Rob suggested gently. "Reach out, mend things, or at least try to be friends."
Zack swallowed hard, he had just let her go and now he needed to be friends with her again. His heart sank as he thought about what he had to do, he wasn't ready but he felt like he had no choice. As Rob filled him in on his plan to stop Gluttony, Zack felt like he was standing in a vacuum lost in his twisted feelings.
---
The next day in biology 101, Zack's heart pounded as he glanced nervously at Deb sitting a few rows ahead of him. He took a deep breath and tapped out a message on his phone, "Can we talk? I have been thinking about us a lot lately and I miss you." attaching a couple of pictures they had taken together before things fell apart. He hesitated for a moment before pressing send, hoping this small gesture might get her talking to him again.
As soon as the message reached her, Deb's face turned pale, her eyes widening in shock. She shot Zack an accusatory glare before hurriedly gathering her belongings and storming out of the classroom. Heartsick, Zack followed her into the hallway.
"Deb, I'm sorry," he stammered, feeling a weight bearing down on him. "I just thought—"
"Zack, stop." Deb's voice trembled with emotion. "I know what you're trying to do, but I need more time. I can't be friends with you right now."
"Deb, please—" Zack pleaded, but she turned away from him, disappearing around the corner. The sound of her footsteps echoed through the empty hallway, leaving him standing alone, his heart sinking like a stone.
Meanwhile, Boon was watching Zack closely, determined to prove his theory. As Zack retreated to Campus Pizza for lunch, Boon lurked nearby, knowing that only a vessel could hear every word he said. "I know you kissed my girlfriend, Zack, maybe I should return the favor," he muttered under his breath, the venom clear in his voice. "I'll take Deb away from you. Wouldn't that just be poetic?"
Zack clenched his fists, anger boiling within him as he overheard Boon's words. Boon watched his reaction and saw Zack's body tense, for Boon it was enough to confirm his suspicions. Zack refused to respond, even if it meant putting his relationship with Deb further at risk.
"Leave me alone, Boon," Zack whispered fiercely to himself, biting into a slice of pizza with a sense of defiance. "I won't let you get mixed up in this."
----
Boon strode across the campus, determination etched across his face, the brisk autumn air nipping at his cheeks. Gold and red leaves swirled around him as he searched for Deb, his plan to win her over swirling in his mind like a whirlwind. He found her sitting on a bench under an old oak tree in the quad, absorbed in a thick book that obscured her delicate features.
"Hey, Deb," Boon greeted casually, sliding onto the bench beside her. The corners of her mouth lifted in amusement as she looked up from her reading.
"Hi, Boon," she replied, eyes twinkling behind her glasses. "What brings you here?"
"Ah, nothing much," he said, trying to sound nonchalant. "Just thought I'd hang out with you for a bit. How's it going?"
"Going well, thanks." Deb marked her place in the book and closed it, giving him her full attention. "How about you? How are things with Leona?"
Boon hesitated for a moment before answering, a shadow passing over his face as he recalled the recent confession. "Actually, we broke up. She told me she kissed Zack after you guys split, so I ended it."
"Really?" Deb's eyebrows rose in surprise, concern flickering in her eyes. "I'm sorry to hear that, Boon."
He shrugged, feigning indifference. "It's fine, honestly. I just thought you should know."
Deb nodded, processing the information. After a brief pause, Boon changed the subject, a playful grin spreading across his face. "So, We have a basketball game coming up. Want to come watch? I've missed you cheering me on."
"Sure," Deb agreed, a small smile gracing her lips, though she had been doing her best to avoid Zack, she did miss the energy of the crowd at the games. "But just as friends, okay? I want to make that clear."
"Of course," Boon said, his grin widening as he pretended not to notice the distinction. "Just friends."
"Great," Deb said, her tone firm yet friendly. "I have to get to class now, but I'll see you at the game."
"Sounds good," Boon replied, watching as she hurried off towards her next lecture.
As Deb disappeared from view, Boon leaned back against the bench, a triumphant smirk playing on his lips. He reveled in the thought that his plan was beginning to take shape. He knew this would make Zack angry, hopefully, angry enough to let something slip, and then he would have actual evidence of vessels. As he thought more about it his mind began to wonder about having that kind of power himself.