I stare blankly at the headline, burning it into mind. My attention is mostly fixated on the word "executed." It echoes in my mind, sharp and cold. Not punished nor imprisoned—killed-- for simply existing. My legs start to feel hollow as the words I'm reading sink in slowly. I lean against the wall for support then slide down to the floor, not trusting myself to stay standing, let alone walk. With my heart racing, I finally rip my eyes away from the bold words that sent me spiraling and begin reading the article below it.

Next month will mark the 4 year anniversary since the Magi Empire sealed the Spirit Realm to keep its dangers out of our beloved land as well as out of the defenseless Mortal World. The historic decision was the first time that the gates to any world have been closed since their formation. Since then, our empire has experienced considerably more peace and prosperity. We are no longer terrorized by the Spirit Realm's monsters.

My hands clench. I have to put in a conscious effort to keep from ripping the pages.

The sealing of the Spirit Realm is not the only action that the Magi Empire has taken in the last few years to keep us safe. Over the last four years, the Empire has been quietly rounding up all Spirit Realm beings that were caught outside after the sealing. Over the past 2 years, there have been whispers of a secret faction of Spirit-type beings plotting to break the seal and unleash chaos. These whispers have reached the Emperor's ears, and he has now ordered a more forceful, large-scale hunt for Spirit Realm beings to finally bring an end to the control they wield over people's lives through fear. The new age of peace will be marked by a public execution of all imprisoned Spirit Realm beings in May.

My heart sinks. I knew it was dangerous to be found out as a Spirit-type, more so since the sealing, but... Executed? My people don't deserve this. We're being rounded up and turned into a demonstration of the Magi Empire's great power. It no longer matters to them if we're good or bad. They just want to make some kind of example out of us. They claim its all for peace and prosperity. What a farce! They call this peace and prosperity? Killing people in cold blood brings peace? Sealing an entire realm with thousands of people inside brings prosperity? We are a strong people. We can handle a little discrimination... with smiles on our faces even... But this.. this is too much!

Tears start to well up in my eyes. I blink several times to fight them off and take a deep breath.

I will not stand for this.

My alarm clock starts buzzing on my nightstand. I slowly stand up, testing my strength, then walk over to turn it off. For now, I'll go to school and keep up the facade as best I can until I figure out what to do next. It's November right now, so that gives me about 6 months until May.

With my mind tangled in thoughts about my next move, I get dressed and head to school. I decide to skip breakfast and head to my first class early instead. I don't think I can eat right now, and, as much as I love my friends, I don't have the capacity to socialize normally with them right now either. The day passes in kind of a blur. I can't really focus on any of the lectures. I'm lucky that I was only called on once. In Magical History, Professor Yoon tried to get me to read a passage out-loud. It took him 3 tries just to get my attention, and even after he did, I read out of a book for an entirely different class. Apparently, I didn't pay attention to which textbooks I had grabbed today. He gave up after that. He didn't seem to have the energy to reprimand me for it, and honestly, I didn't have the energy to listen to it either so it worked out for us both.

I share only one class with Lilia and none with Leo. Lilia always has to leave the class we share together right away though because her next one is far away. Both of these facts made it easier to avoid having to act normal or be social. Ren, however, did not make it easy.

Ren and I are in four classes together, three before lunch and one after, and he's observant. Most people think he's a bit dense, but he is very aware of people in a strange way. Perhaps that is part of the reason why people are drawn to him. It's like Ren is the only light in a dark room, and everyone else is a moth that can't help but want to be closer to him. It's fascinating to watch every now and then.

Ren skipped the first period -- probably sleeping. He showed up at the next class we had together with bedhead and a wrinkled shirt. Immediately, people surrounded him. They bantered about his disheveled appearance which kept the attention off me until class started. As soon as he started heading towards his desk behind mine, I turned and focused my attention to looking out the window beside me. He paused briefly right before my desk which made my eyes flicker to him once instinctively. His brow had a small crease in it and the corners of his lips were turned down. He didn't say anything to me in that class or the next. It was weird. He definitely noticed something, but he kept silent until lunch.

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"Are you going to the canteen?" Ren asks as soon as class is dismissed.

I think I can maintain enough normalcy to at least eat with my friends now. If I skipped both breakfast and lunch, they'd probably give me an even harder time out of worry for me anyway.

"Yeah. Got to take advantage of the free meals."

He rolls his eyes at me. "Right."

When we walk into the canteen, we see Leo and Lilia settling in at our usual table with their trays. Ren smiles mischievously and runs up behind Leo.

"HI BUDDY!!!" Ren shouts as he grabs Leo from behind and starts to put him in a headlock.

Leo immediately grabs Ren's arm, turns around and twists it, effectively turning the tables on him.

"Geez. Violent much? That hurts, you know," Ren complains.

"It's self-defense," Leo responds simply.

He lets Ren go and turns back towards his tray. I notice the newspaper on the table beside it. My stomach churns. Maybe lunch wasn't such a good idea after all. I hesitantly sit down across from him like usual.

"You've got the paper?" Ren asks him, curiously. "What? Have they finally decided to start dragon matches?"

Ren has always insisted that matches, dragon vs dragon, would be the best event in the world if only someone could control them. He thinks Leo, with his affinity for magical creatures, should be the one to start it. I think it sounds like a recipe for widespread devastation. I'd be concerned for whatever poor world had to endure these matches. Leo is more concerned about the safety of the dragons themselves.

Leo only responds to the first question, "Seems like the Magi Empire is making some rather bold moves."

Ren sits down and pulls the paper closer. Immediately, his eyes grow wide with shock. I expect him to make some kind of joke or sarcastic comment, but he only stares at the paper with that expression. His hands, which were resting on the table, clench.

"Are spirit-types that dangerous?" Lilia asks.

"No!" I blurt out before I can stop myself.

Leo and Lilia both look at me with surprise.

"I mean..." I search my mind for some kind of explanation. "If you look at the way they are phrasing everything, it looks suspicious, doesn't it? Moreover, I think there are more natural disasters caused by magical creatures than any problems caused by a spirit being."

I quickly look at Leo. I realize that he may not take kindly to pointing at magical creatures as dangerous. But instead, he appears to contemplate what I said.

"That's true," he concedes after a moment.

I breathe a silent sigh of relief. I look over at the unusually quiet Ren. His elbows are on the table now and his fingers are intertwined in front of his lips. His brow is furrowed again, deeper than it was earlier, while he stares at the table. There is concern in his eyes. I can't make sense of this expression. What is he thinking so deeply about?

"I wonder if anyone will come here looking for them?" Lilia says aloud.

I shudder. I hadn't considered the possibility of someone coming here. Even if we are in the Mortal World right now and technically under Lightveil Academy's protection, there is still no guarantee that someone won't be sent to investigate. In fact, they probably will send someone if the paper's words are half true and the empire is really cracking down. I wonder how long it would take them to find me then? A sadness sweeps over me as I realize I may be forced to run from the academy one day because of them. This place is my second home. I'm often wondering where I will go next, but it's always been far enough in the future that I've never had to consider it too deeply. It wasn't a problem I had to think about now, but with Lilia's question, I realize that I may just have to.

"They'll come," Ren says eerily. "They are serious. They won't let the possibility of one hiding here escape their notice."

Nobody seems to really know what to say. It's a heavy topic, but it is also one that has little to do with them. None of them are from the Spirit Realm nor are they aware that I am. As far as they know, I'm just another witch.

"This is really dark. Let's change topics," Lilia says, looking a bit nervous.

"Agreed," Leo sighs.

I nod, while Ren continues staring at the table in the same position.

"That new pastry shop has finally opened up in town! Anybody want to go with me to try it out?" Lilia asks cheerfully.

I watch as Ren takes a deep breath and relaxes both his posture and his expression.

Leo responds first, "I'll go with you."

"Yeah, me too," I say.

"Yay!" Lilia cheers. "Ren?"

"OF COURSE! LET'S GO!" He shouts.

The sudden change in his demeanor makes me jump a bit. He's back to normal?

"Ren. Aren't you forgetting something?" Leo says solemnly.

"What?"

"Your paper on Magi Empire politics... It's due tomorrow. Are you finished with it?" Leo continues, doubtfully. They share that class. I bet Leo has already long since finished his.

Ren froze. "Ah...... That's.... THAT'S TRUE! I'M SO SCREWED. I HAVEN'T EVEN STARTED YET!"

Lilia smiles sympathetically, "Maybe next time then..."

Ren sighs dramatically and rests his forehead on the table.

"Is 4pm okay?" Lilia asks, glancing between me and Leo.

"Yeah."

"Sure."

She smiles happily. It always feels good to see Lilia smile. She's a very sweet and innocent type of girl, and just seeing her happy somehow makes me feel slightly more at ease.

"By the way," Leo starts, "Are you two ever going to eat?"

Ren and I look at each other.

"I'll go get it!" Ren says as he hops up from his seat.

After lunch, I head to my next class. My thoughts still on the newspaper. They will be coming. I wonder how adept they are at locating spirit beings. If they find me, what should I do? Should I fight them? I might not escape with my life. Do I let myself get captured? It would help me find out where my people are being held, but then what? I can't do this alone. I can't, but I have to. There is no one that I can rely on here. It's just me.

I sigh. Then, my eye catches on something shiny. There, attached to the belt loop of a black pair of jeans, is a silver chain with what appears to be some sort of pendent tucked away in the pocket. My blood runs cold.

It's the same. My stalker is here.