While feeling the compartment, Maline responded to the professor, “I was just a bit dazed. I daydream sometimes.” Composing herself, she turned to the professor and asked, “What were you saying?”
After a moment, he continued, “I was only recounting your purpose for being here.”
He looked at her, still at a loss, before introducing himself. “My name is Emil. Professor Emil. I’m here to administer your exam.”
As he spoke, Maline focused on predicting which words came after which, discerning whether or not this was a falsity.
Almost every word she thought would come out of the professor’s mouth ended up coming out and in almost exactly the same cadence. This caused her to go silent, thinking of what exactly was happening.
This silence mirrored what had happened in her daydream, prompting the professor to walk over to her desk, unclipping a paper from his clipboard. “I won’t attribute the lack of students in this room to the…”
As he laid the paper on her desk, Maline continued to finish his sentences in her mind. Up until she asked him for materials, all of his actions were the same.
“I see you’ve already found the compartment under your desk. I’d already forgotten where they were. Keen eye.”
He then went on to explain the proceedings and instructed her in almost the same way, though with some dissimilarities.
Once he was finished explaining, Maline looked over to her paper, unsurprised to see that the questions were the same.
She was at a loss, unsure of what to make of the situation. Although she knew which answers she picked in whatever event had transpired, she still tried her best, untrusting of a daydream to give her a cheat sheet.
In the end, only one of her answers had changed in this new version, her findings further confounding her. She finished up and poured the dull ink into its jar.
When she was done, she rose to give the paper to the studious professor. Struck with a sudden realization of what may be lurking outside, she inquired about taking a tour around the institute.
Professor Emil was surprised, saying, “Although it looks like you did well, tours and the like are only available to newly admitted students. It would also take a very long time, not to mention that they are usually scheduled for groups of students.” He continued, “Do you have any other needs, or are you ready to leave?”
Maline answered in the negative before standing, silent.
She was waiting. Observing the professor’s actions to see if he would open the door for her as he did in her daydream.
They remained silent, staring at each other for a few moments.
Clearing her throat and removing her gaze from his, Maline thought for a moment before saying, “I think I may have dropped something outside, is it okay for me to check? I’ll only be a moment.” The professor agreed, although unsure why she would need to come back.
Closing the door, Maline took in the view of the corridor. No torches were lit apart from the chandeliers, although they were present. She began to walk toward the entrance, slowing her strides when nearing. Placing her hands on the door, she pushed outward.
Light peeked in from the opening, making a thin line on her face. She gave a nervous smile and peeked out from the inside.
Surprisingly, waiting on the steps was Yivenne, who had noticed Maline’s head peeking out from the building. One of her eyebrows shot up as a smirk grew on her face. “Are you afraid of the sun?” She said as their eyes locked.
Maline’s nervousness immediately flushed away as she pushed the door open completely.
Thinking of an excuse, she blurted out, “The door was heavy and I have small arms. I was just checking how long I took in there.”
Yivenne gave a slow nod as if to say she’d barely bought the story. She asked, “You ready to go?”
Maline looked behind her before replying, “I still have something to do. It won’t take long.”
Nodding in understanding, Yivenne watched as Maline walked back into the institute, purposefully keeping the door open.
After a few moments, Maline emerged, a smile on her face as she gazed directly at the sun.
Yivenne was taken aback, “Did you do that well? You’ll melt your eyes off! We wouldn't want that before you even start your studies!”
Maline looked at her and back, replying, “The professor said I did okay! The results won’t come until tomorrow, though.”
They began walking down the stairs, making casual conversation. Yivenne pointed to a peculiar statue in the courtyard. "That's the supposed founder of the institute," she said with a grin. "Legend has it, he could write a thesis in the time it takes to brew a cup of tea."
Nearing the gate, Yivenne asked, “Do you need me to escort you to your home?”
Maline considered, before replying, “No, I’ll be fine on my own. Thank you, though.” Nodding, Yivenne led her out of the gate.
Maline was surprised to see that Theo, the short-haired guard, along with the other two were not present. They had been replaced with four guards of similar uniform that stood guard.
It appeared that Yivenne had stayed past her shift.
As Maline turned around, she noticed that one guard, in particular, had disdain evident in his expression when looking at her. She tried her best to pay him little mind as she addressed Yivenne.
“I might not be able to see the results tomorrow, I’ll be preoccupied all week.”
Nodding, Yivenne responded, “That’ll be no problem, your results won’t be going anywhere.”
Bidding farewell, Maline hurriedly left the vicinity. As the distance grew, her smile faded into a numb and confused expression, unable to keep up her facade. Although she was happy about her results, she was now certain that something was wrong. The events that transpired were far from normal, something that she could never dream of experiencing.
As she walked, she began to question her sanity. She would regularly experience moments of false prescience, as many others would. It was a trick of the mind. This was something different.
Consciously predicting someone’s words and actions, confirming things that she would have had no prior contact with, was it possible that what had happened was not mere illusion?
As she walked, unaware of her surroundings, she thought more deeply about what she’d experienced over the past couple of days. She originally took them as a sign of sickness or maybe even an omen, but she was beginning to reconsider. The more she thought about it, the less these explanations made sense.
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The vividness of those experiences, the uncanny familiarity—it was too real to dismiss.
Lost in her thoughts, she continued to walk without paying much attention to her surroundings. The world around her seemed to blur, and her footsteps echoed in the corridors of her mind.
As uncertain thoughts swirled in her head, she failed to notice the person walking towards her until it was too late.
With a sudden collision, Maline bumped into someone, causing her to stumble forward.
As she steadied herself and looked behind her, the rushed attempt to apologize was interrupted as she found herself staring into the eyes of the person she had collided with, and for a brief, heart-stopping moment, those eyes reflected the same dreary, refracting light she had seen in her daydream.
Panic seized her heart, and a cold shiver ran down her spine.
Without a word, she turned and sprinted away while forcefully closing her eyes. Her mind raced, and she couldn't shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong.
As she ran, even more disoriented than before, she couldn’t get the vision of shadows extending down from the sky out of her mind. She needed to get home, to the safety of familiar surroundings, to the safety of her brother. Safe from the strangeness that had taken over her life in the past few days.
Her breaths came in shallow gasps, her chest tightening with every step. Her racing thoughts, a mess of whirling tumult, drowned out the voice of reason that begged her to stop and consider what was unfolding.
Along with her strides came a disconcerting series of events, like fragments of a dream. Her instincts, though muffled by her panic, sent subtle warnings, as if they could glimpse at the path ahead. Nonetheless, Maline remained heedless, her focus consumed by the relentless need to flee.
Small stones became treacherous obstacles, causing her to stumble and falter. Walls leapt out at her, their surfaces colliding with her body.
Though she was running blindly, she had a nagging feeling that what was happening did not make sense.
Small stones should not impact her strides with such potency, Walls should not feel as if they are forcing themselves upon her. This only solidified her desire to escape from whatever was happening, whether it was all in her mind or not.
...
Gabe busied himself at the stove, heating half a loaf of potato bread over coals. As he was preparing this meal for him and his sister, he heard rushed footsteps stopping at the front door.
Curious, he listened for a while but there was no sound. Making his way to the window, he looked toward the direction of the door. There, he saw his sister, slumped awkwardly on the ground just before the door.
Heart pounding, he bolted to the door and swung it open with a worried expression. There, sprawled on the ground, was his sister. Her posture was unnatural, as if she had stumbled and collapsed in exhaustion.
Gabe knelt down beside her, concern etched across his face. "Maline! What happened?" he exclaimed, gently shaking her shoulder.
She stirred slightly but didn't respond. Her face was pale, and she seemed disoriented with her eyes wide open. Her hair was unkempt, and her clothes were ruffled. He watched in horror as her breath came out staggered and rapid, her hands trembling.
With a sense of urgency, Gabe carefully lifted his sister into his arms. She felt unnaturally cold, and he couldn't help but notice the distress in her eyes, as if she had seen something horrifying. Holding her close, he carried her inside the house and laid her down on the floor before arranging two chairs side by side for her to lie on.
He rushed to get a cup of water and a damp cloth, hoping to help her regain her composure. As he returned to her side, he gently dabbed her forehead with the cloth and offered her the cup of water.
"Maline, drink this. You'll feel better," he reassured her, his voice filled with concern.
Maline took a few sips of water, her trembling gradually subsiding. Her breathing became less frantic, and a modicum of color began to return to her cheeks.
Gabe continued to comfort her, keeping a watchful eye on her condition.
Silently, he observed as she slowly came to. He had a moment to think now, and couldn’t help but connect this event to her condition the day before. This had never happened before, and for it to happen so frequently within a short span of time, it was not a common sickness.
The look in her eyes as well, he thought, instilled terror in him, as if he was experiencing what she had for himself.
The two stayed there together for a long time, Gabe’s eyes never wandering away from her.
Eventually, she spoke. “Gabe?” As she regained her awareness, she began to reach into her memories, the act of which sent a wave of fear rushing through her.
Sensing something amiss, Gabe intervened, "Maline," he finally spoke, his voice soft and comforting. "Take your time. There's no rush. You're safe here, with me."
Maline blinked, still somewhat dazed, but the familiarity of her brother's presence began to anchor her. She saw that her brother was offering her a cup of water and took another sip, letting the damp cloth soothe her skin.
Her heart, though still racing, was slowly finding its rhythm.
As the moments passed, they sat in silence, the venerable sunlight casting a warm glow across the room. It was a silence that spoke volumes; they had a trust—an understanding.
Maline finally mustered the strength to speak again, her voice trembling slightly. "Gabe, I... I don't know what's happening to me. It's like... like I'm losing control of my own thoughts.”
“They aren’t my own anymore... They can’t be."
Gabe nodded in understanding, though his heart ached for his sister. Through his gaze, he cautioned his sister that she needed only reveal what she wanted to. He had seen her struggle in silence, her determination to protect him from her inner battles. But now, it was time for him to offer his support once again, as much as she allowed him to.
"Maline," he began gently, "I won't pretend to have all the answers, but we'll figure this out together. We've always been there for each other, through thick and thin. You're not alone in this.”
He reached the back of his hand over to his sister, feeling the temperature of her forehead gently once again. He felt that his fingers were almost burned. Concerned, he continued, “Team effort, remember?"
Tears welled up in Maline's eyes, not from fear this time but from the overwhelming relief that her brother's words brought. She nodded, her trust in him unwavering.
They sat there, cherishing their bond, finding solace in each other's presence. The room seemed to exhale, releasing the tension that had lingered in the air.
"Maline," he said gently, breaking the silence that had enveloped them like a warm blanket, "I think it's best if you stay home today. You need some rest, and I'll take care of the fieldwork."
Maline's brows furrowed slightly, her disoriented mind trying to process his words. She remembered the discussion they had the day before, her insistence on helping Gabe with the work. It had been important to her, a way of contributing to their family's well-being. Sitting up with difficulty, she protested, "But... Gabe," she began, her voice hesitant and muddled, "we talked about this yesterday. I want to help, I need to help."
Gabe’s eyes lowered as he gave a slight nod. He understood her determination, her desire to stand beside him in their daily struggles.
But he couldn't risk her well-being, not now, and hopefully never in the future. "I know," he replied, "But today is different. With whatever just happened, and what has been happening over the past few days, I can't bear the thought of something happening to you out there. I'll manage just fine for a day, and then we'll figure out what's happening with you."
Maline, though still a bit disoriented, could see the concern in her brother's eyes. She knew he was right, as much as it pained her to admit it. She nodded, albeit reluctantly, and allowed Gabe to lay her back down onto the makeshift bed he had set up.
Hours passed, with Gabe by her side. He checked on Maline, who was still resting, her breathing more steady now. Sitting beside her, Gabe decided to engage her in some casual conversation, hoping to further her mind from the events she had experienced earlier. "Sis," he began, his tone easy and comforting, "you know, when you visited the institute, I couldn't help but notice something."
Maline, still feeling a bit groggy, looked at him with curiosity. "What is it, Gabe?"
"I noticed that all of the guards I saw there were Embecian," Gabe remarked, his brow slightly furrowing in thought. "Did you see any students inside? Including Yivenne and Theo, they're mostly Embecian, aren't they?"
Maline nodded, her mind slowly clearing as she engaged in the conversation. "I guess? They’ve been considered nobility for as long as I can remember. The Embers, I mean. It's been that way for generations."
Gabe leaned in a bit, his voice dropping lower. "It's just... interesting, you know? The Embers have this tight grip on knowledge. Makes you wonder what they're so afraid of."
Maline caught the hidden meaning in his words and gave him a strange look. "You think they’re hiding something? I didn’t know you were into politics."
Continuing, making sure not to brush off her brother’s idea, Maline said, "Knowledge is power, they say. Maybe they're just guarding their power closely. Besides, it shouldn’t be this way everywhere."
Gabe listened attentively, his blue eyes reflecting the flickering firelight. He decided to change the subject. "And how did your entrance exam go? I remember you were quite anxious about it."
Maline blinked, her memory beginning to return in bits and pieces. "Oh, the exam. Well, I think it went okay, the professor who led the exam said that the results will be coming, though I can't say I felt very confident about it." Seeing the hint of inquiry in her brother’s eyes, she continued, “His name is Emil. He was very nice, and I remember him having an accent, I didn’t really recognize it.”
As she mentioned Professor Emil, Maline's expression shifted, and she paused, her eyes distant as if lost in thought. Gabe noticed the change and, concerned, decided to ask more about the professor.
"Accent?" he asked gently, "Can you describe Professor Emil? His features, I mean."
Maline furrowed her brows, recalling the professor's appearance. "He was tall, had a high forehead, somewhat deep-set eyes, and a sharp jawline. He was dressed really well."
Gabe's expression shifted in enlightenment, his eyes narrowing in thought. "Skin tone?”
Startled, Maline answered after a pause, “His skin was a bit darker than ours, an earthy tone. Why?”
"I think Professor Emil might be Stomen," Gabe said after a moment.
Maline looked puzzled. "Stomen? I've heard of them, but they're not very common here…"
Gabe nodded. "Yeah, Stomen are pretty rare in Centruria. They've got that unique accent and a distinct fashion sense from their homeland. No wonder you couldn't place it."
"I see... Well, he didn't mention being from Stome, but he did say that he thought I did okay on the test."
Gabe smiled warmly at his sister's response, a glimmer of pride in his eyes. "I had no doubt you'd do well. "
With that, the brother and sister shared a long quiet. The room, once filled with uncertainty, now radiated a sense of calm. It was moments like these that reminded them of the security they had in one another.
And as they settled into a comfortable silence, the flickering of the candlelight that Gabe had recently set up provided a soothing backdrop.
As Gabe got ready to fall asleep with his sister, he remembered the potato bread that was lying on the counter, cold. Turning to his sister, he asked,
“You hungry?”