The sun was still yawning over the horizon, shedding its remaining light through the basketball court windows. Zack's breaths came in short, rhythmic bursts, as he leaped and spun mid-air, the ball gliding effortlessly from his fingertips and through the hoop. The coach, arms crossed, gave an impressed nod.

"Alright, alright! That's enough showboating for one morning," Coach barked, a hint of a smile betraying his gruff demeanor. "Zack, Boon, Kristian, and Rob - you four are the freshmen joining the team. Good work today."

Boon beamed, slapping Zack on the shoulder, but Rob's expression was clouded with concern. He couldn't shake the feeling that there was something unnatural happening here, ever since Zack told him about the weird feelings he had been having. Zack's movements were too fast, his reflexes too sharp. If something really did happen to Zack then it all came back to the night they were separated in the woods, what was the mark on Zack's back?

"Hey, man, you okay?" Zack asked, noticing Rob had entered another one of his thought spirals.

"Uh, yeah. Yeah, I'm fine. Just...congrats on making the team, Zack," Rob replied, forcing a smile. But that voice in the back of his head was screaming that he had to find out the truth.

"Thanks, dude! You too!" Zack said, his blue eyes sparkling with excitement.

Later that day, in their shared dorm room, Rob sat hunched over his laptop, poring over articles on demonology and supernatural phenomena. What had started as a simple search for symbols and sudden powers had turned into a rabbit hole of theories and symbolism. He was determined to find some explanation for how Zack could hear things and feel things no one else could.

Zack returned from a run, sweat glistening on his muscular frame, and noticed Rob's intense focus. "Hey, what's got you so worked up?"

"Zack, have you ever heard of vessels?" Rob asked cautiously, his eyes not leaving the screen.

"Vessels? Like...ships?" Zack raised an eyebrow, confusion etched on his face.

"No, no. In some religions, a vessel is a person who's been possessed or imbued with powers from a higher being, like a demon or an angel," Rob explained as he continued to read. "I was thinking back to the night you looked so scared and had that symbol on your back and while I haven't found the exact symbol, this is what seems to come up in every Google search.."

Zack's face drained of colour, it couldn't have been a dream not if Rob had seen it too. He felt his stomach churn and his legs felt weak, as his mind tried to make sense of it all.

"Me? A vessel?" Zack scoffed. "You've been reading too many of those horror novels, man." He was desperate to convince himself they were both seeing things.

"Look, I know it sounds crazy, but they say the mark was associated with gifts of strength, health, and power. The only real documentation is over a hundred years old. It just all lines up with what you told me and what I saw," Rob said earnestly, finally looking up from his laptop and meeting his friend's gaze.

Zack hesitated for a moment, his easygoing nature giving way to the weight of Rob's words. He paced around the room, fangs and claws absent but his eyes flickering with a dim pink glow. Ultimately, he shook his head, unwilling to accept the possibility.

"Thanks for looking out for me, Rob, but I'm sure there's a rational explanation for all of this," Zack said, though uncertainty lingered in his voice. "Right now, let's just focus on the party tonight and forget about demons and vessels, alright?"

"Alright, but if this is real, then we need to be careful. Several myths claim that strong emotions can cause a vessel to lose control. " Rob explained, albeit reluctantly. He turned his laptop, hoping that Zack would take a look. Zack's eyes scanned the page taking in what it said but unsure if a single internet article could really be trusted, still the thought that all this could be true was now seeded in Zack's mind.

"Alright, let's say you're right," Zack said, a hint of annoyance creeping into his voice. "What am I supposed to do about it? Just cancel my date with Deb and hide in my room forever?"

"Actually, that might not be a bad idea, the canceling the date part, not the hide here forever part," Rob replied cautiously. "What if you lose control at the party? What if Deb sees? what if someone calls the police? What would the government do to you?"

"Are you serious?" Zack couldn't believe what he was hearing. "I'm not going to cancel on Deb just because you think I'm possessed or something, these are just myths, not facts."

"Look, Zack, I really think we should figure this out first, a date with Deb can wait," Rob explained, his concern outweighing any trepidation he felt about confronting him.

"Do you really believe that bullshit?" Zack's temper flared, and the dim pink glow in his eyes intensified. In an instant, his anger manifested in a telekinetic force that sent a chair hurtling across the room, smashing against the wall. The sudden display of power left both young men stunned.

"What the... Did you see that? The chair literally flew on its own through the air!" Rob exclaimed, his voice shaking slightly as he pointed to the wreckage of the chair. "You have telekinesis, that is insane!"

Zack swallowed hard, the reality of his situation finally sinking in. But still, his loyalty to Deb and his desire to be with her won out. "I'll...be careful," he promised, avoiding Rob's gaze. "But I won't cancel on her. She deserves better than that."

"Just be careful, I am going to stay here and see if there is any way to reverse it," Rob said, he couldn't hide his worry.

---

As twilight fell and the campus buzzed with excitement for the party, Zack picked up Deb outside her dorm. Her short black hair framed her delicate features, and her glasses reflected the soft orange glow of the streetlights.

"Hey, Zack," Deb greeted him warmly, her curiosity piqued by the uncharacteristically serious expression on his face. "Are you alright?"

"Of course," Zack replied with a forced smile, unwilling to tell her about just how weird his life had gotten. All he could think about as they walked was how if that symbol was real then so was the creature that gave it to him, suddenly a familiar cold shiver ran through his body. As they turned the corner, he couldn't help but notice Ethel watching them from a distance, she seemed to radiate this dark energy. Zack slid his hand into Deb's and instinctively picked up the pace.

"Slow down, Zack," Deb chided gently, struggling to keep up with his long strides. "What's the rush?"

"Sorry," he mumbled, trying to maintain a semblance of normalcy despite the growing unease gnawing at him. He could feel something was off deep inside of him, but for now, all he wanted was to enjoy the night with Deb, free from the worry and fear that was seeping into his mind.

The party was in full swing, the scent of spilled beer mingling with the laughter and excited chatter of college students enjoying their newfound freedom. Boon and Ahmed greeted them at the door with beers and led them into the living room. The bass thumped through Zack's chest as he led Deb onto the makeshift dance floor, their bodies swaying to the rhythm of the music.

"Having fun?" Zack yelled over the noise, his heart racing as he tried to focus on Deb and not the gnawing sense of dread that threatened to consume him.

"Definitely!" Deb shouted back, her eyes shining with genuine happiness. He couldn't help but smile, pushing down his fears for just a little while longer.

But as the night wore on, Zack began to feel the first stirrings of his powers awakening within him. As he walked into the kitchen to get Deb a refill, he couldn't help but feel eyes fall upon him.

Finally, he caught the gaze of a girl with violet hair mixing a drink, "Nice colour contacts" she said looking directly into his eyes. "they look so life-like."

Zack panicked and caught a glimpse of himself in the reflection of the window, his eyes had changed from their usual blue to a pull pink. Shit why is this happening now! he thought as he felt a small surge of energy escape him, the red solo cup on the counter began to crumble. He knew he needed to get out of there fast.

He made his way back to the dance floor and handed her the drink, doing his best to hide his eyes. "Deb," Zack said urgently, his voice barely audible over the pounding music. "I think I need to get some air."

"Are you sure you're okay?" she asked, concern etched across her face. "Did something happen while you were in the kitchen?" She tried to search his eyes for answers but he kept looking away, trying to hide the fact they had changed colour.

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

"Sorry," he muttered, feeling a surge of frustration and guilt. "I'm fine. Just...give me a minute."

"I'll come with you," she offered, but Zack shook his head sharply.

"No, stay here. Have fun," he insisted, already turning away from her and weaving through the throng of partygoers. As he stepped out into the cool night air, his breath hitched in his throat, and he could feel his control slipping away. He looked down at his hands and saw claws begin to extend from his fingertips. "Please stop, stop, stop!" he yelled at his hands, praying the claws would go away.

"Zack!" Deb called after him, confusion painting her features as he broke into a run, he couldn't let her see him like this he thought as he retreated. Deb just stood in the yard, lost in confusion as she watched him disappear from view.

-----

Back at the dorm, Rob sat bolt upright in bed as the door slammed open, revealing a wild-eyed Zack, his breathing labored and his eyes glowing a faint pink." Rob, I...I can't control it," he gasped, clutching at the edge of the bed for support as an unseen force caused the textbooks on the floor to hover above there resting place.

"Zack, focus!" Rob shouted, leaping to his feet and grabbing his friend's shoulders. "You need to calm down, okay? Just breathe." He started to guide Zack through a breathing exercise. As Zack began to calm down and the books returned to the ground, a new look of panic spread across his face.

"Check on Deb," Zack pleaded, his voice trembling with fear. "Please, Rob. I left her at the party. I wasn't thinking, I just couldn't let her see me like this."

"Alright, just keep breathing and I am sure the whole claws and eye thing will go away," Rob agreed, his eyes full of determination as he raced out the door, grabbing his jacket as he went, leaving Zack to battle the darkness within him alone.

Rob jogged through the dimly lit campus, his breath fogging in the crisp air as he made his way toward Boon's party. His footsteps echoed on the pavement, the sound only fueling his anxiety. He couldn't help but feel like he needed to get back to his friend and help him find answers to what was really going on. Bursting through the door Rob walked right into Ahmed.

Ahmed swayed for a moment before catching himself and turned to meet Rob's gaze. " Can I help you?" he slurred.

"Deb! Have you seen her?" Rob asked, his eyes scanning over the partygoers as they stumbled by.

Ahmed thought for a moment before his brown eyes lit up with realization. " Oh, she went home with Ethel."

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Rob felt a wave of relief wash over him, he quickly left the party and called Zack.

"Deb got a ride home with Ethel," Rob panted when Zack answered the phone, sweat beading on his forehead. "She should be safe."

Zack, still struggling to regain control of his powers, stared at his phone intently. That strange coldness filled his body again, like a warning every time Ethel was around "Ethel... she can't be trusted," he whispered, his voice hoarse. "I can feel it, her energy is so cold and uncaring. Deb could be in danger!"

"Alright, let me confirm that Deb is safe," Rob said, his heart pounding in his chest. He couldn't afford to waste any time. Summoning all his energy, he sprinted down the street once more, following the path Zack sent to Deb's dormitory.

The moon cast eerie shadows across the campus, making Rob feel as if unseen eyes were watching him. Every dark corner seemed to hold a lurking threat, and each rustle of leaves was a specter ready to pounce. The weight of the unknown pressed down on him, but Rob pushed forward, driven by his hope to help Zack through it.

Reaching Deb's dorm room, Rob rapped sharply on her door, his knuckles white with tension. To his surprise, it was Father Bill who opened the door, his brows furrowed in confusion.

"Father Bill?" Rob stammered, taken aback. "What are you doing here?"

"Rob, isn't it?" Father Bill asked, studying him closely. "I was just checking up on Deb. She seemed quite shaken after the party. What brings you here?"

"Is she okay? Can I see her?" Rob asked urgently, worry gnawing at his insides.

"Of course, come in," Father Bill replied, stepping aside to allow Rob into the room. Deb was sitting on her bed, her knees pulled up to her chest and her eyes red from crying. When she saw Rob, a flicker of relief crossed her face.

"Rob! You came to check on me," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I'm okay, just... scared."

"Zack was worried about you," Rob explained, his chest tightening with guilt for his friend's pain. "He wanted me to make sure you were safe."

"Tell him I'm alright," Deb said softly, offering a weak smile. "And thank him for checking up on me. But I want to know if everything is ok with him, he just ran off and that isn't like him."

"No he is.... he just was really sick. I am sure he will tell you all about it when he is feeling better," Rob promised, turning to leave the room. As he did, he caught a glimpse of Father Bill watching him closely, his blue eyes unreadable. It was clear that the priest had been listening in on their conversation, Rob shook off his discomfort logging away his questions for another day.

"Deb is safe," he thought as he raced across the moonlit campus, his footsteps echoing his resolve. "Now it's time to help Zack regain control."

-----

As Rob rushed back to the dorm, Zack's heart pounded in his chest. He couldn't shake the feeling that Ethel was somehow involved in all this. His newfound abilities heightened his senses, allowing him to pick up on Ethel's unique aura. It was a mixture of uncaring and something darker, more dangerous. Following the trail, he found himself in Waterloo Park, surrounded by the darkness of night and the whispering of leaves.

"Ethel!" Zack called out, his voice echoing through the empty park. "I know you're here! We need to talk!"

A rustle from behind a nearby tree caught his attention, and Ethel emerged, her dark eyes flashing with caution. "What do you want, Zack?" she asked quietly, stepping into the moonlight.

"Are you like me?" he demanded, clenching his fists at his sides. "Did you turn me into this?"

"Zack, I—" Ethel began, but her words were cut off by the sudden appearance of three strangers entering the park. Their presence filled the air with an oppressive energy that felt suffocating. Among them, was a tall woman Zack thought he had seen on campus once, her curly hair framing her determined face.

"Run!" Ethel hissed, grabbing his arm. "I am like you, and we need to get out of here!"

Zack hesitated for only a moment before his instincts kicked in, and he sprinted alongside Ethel. The two of them dashed through the park, their breaths coming in short, desperate gasps as they tried to stay ahead of the pursuing strangers. Trees blurred past them in the darkness, and Zack could feel the adrenaline pumping through his veins, fueling his speed.

His thoughts raced as fast as his feet. How had Ethel become a vessel and did she know about the creature? Why were these people after them? And why could he seem to control his powers now and not at the party?

"Split up! I wish I could explain this to you but these people are exorcists and they hunt people like us." Ethel explained, her voice barely audible over the pounding of their footsteps. "I'll try to lead them away from you!"

"Wait!" Zack called out, but it was too late, as Ethel vanished into the shadows. He hesitated for a moment, torn between following her and escaping on his own.

"They went this way!" The woman's voice rang out behind him, snapping him back into action. He veered off the path, ducking behind a large oak tree and holding his breath, praying that he wouldn't be discovered.

As the exorcists rushed past him, the woman among them, Zack felt a flicker of relief. They had narrowly escaped capture, but so many questions remained unanswered. Allowing himself a moment to collect his thoughts, he moved cautiously through the park and made his way back to the dorms.

"Zack! Where the hell have you been? Are you okay?" The urgency in Rob's voice was palpable as Zack entered their room, his heart still racing from the chase."Deb's safe but seriously dude it has been hours," Rob continued, watching Zack closely. "What happened? Where were you?"

"Ethel," Zack panted, collapsing onto his bed. "She's like me, a vessel. She was going to tell me more but then we got interrupted... there were these people there and she called them exorcists."

"Exorcists?" Rob frowned, concern etched across his face. "Like robe-wearing, cross-wielding, priests?"

"Well they did have crosses," Zack replied, closing his eyes and trying to remember their faces. His exhaustion wouldn't allow him to form their features. "I can't remember what they look like exactly, I am just too tired. We can't do anything if we're too exhausted to think straight."

"Right," Rob agreed with a small yawn. As the two friends lay in the darkness of their dorm room, Zack couldn't help but replay the night's events in his mind. The mysterious connection to Ethel, the determined pursuit by the exorcists, and the nagging feeling that something was being hidden from him – all of these questions swirled around, threatening to ensure he wouldn't be sleeping that night.

"Tomorrow," he vowed silently. "Tomorrow, we can figure more out."

-----

The morning sun cast long shadows across the campus, a new day mirroring Zack's hope of a fresh start. Zack stood outside Deb's dorm room, his heart pounding in his chest. He knew he owed her an explanation for his abrupt departure from the party, but there is no way to explain growing claws and causing things to float with your mind he thought. Taking a deep breath, he knocked softly on her door.

"Zack! I wasn't expecting you this early," Deb said, opening the door and revealing her thin frame wrapped in a fluffy pink bathrobe. Her short black hair combed and parted to the right, accentuating her glasses and giving her an air of studious curiosity.

"Hey, I just wanted to apologize for last night," Zack began, his blue eyes earnestly searching hers. "I, uh, had some bad shrimp or something... food poisoning. It hit me really hard, so I had to bolt."

"Food poisoning?" Deb raised an eyebrow as she considered his explanation. "That doesn't sound pleasant. I hope you're feeling better now?"

"Much better, thanks," Zack smiled, mentally cursing himself for the weak excuse. But it was all he could muster under the circumstances.

"Good," Deb nodded, accepting his apology. As they exchanged a few more pleasantries, Zack couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that had settled over him. His newly heightened senses were on high alert, the world around him alive with sounds, smells, and emotions that he'd never experienced before.

A sudden rush of suppressing familiarity washed over him as he noticed a figure approaching them from down the white hallway. It was the woman, one of the exorcists who had pursued him the previous night. Her dark curly hair bounced with each step, and her brown eyes seemed devoid of any recognition when they met his.

"Deb!" The woman called out, waving enthusiastically. "I've been looking for you! We need to go over your schedule for the semester."

"Zack, this is Jessica," Deb introduced her as she joined them. "She's my student mentor."

"Nice to meet you," Zack said cautiously, extending his hand. As they shook hands, he couldn't help but notice the firmness of her grip, a strength that belied her heavy-set frame.

"Likewise," Jessica replied, offering a warm smile. She seemed completely unaware of their encounter the night before, leaving Zack to wonder if it was all an act or if she really didn't notice him last night.

"Hey, I should let you two get going," Zack said, reluctantly breaking the connection. "Deb, we'll catch up later, okay?"

"Of course!" Deb agreed, her dark eyes softened with relief at his explanation for the night before. "I'm just glad you're feeling better."

"Me too," Zack murmured as he watched them walk away, his thoughts consumed by the strange turn of events. Ethel's words echoed through his mind and the look of fear that was on her face when the exorcists arrived, could Jessica really be that dangerous?