Darkness slowly settled in as night drew nearer, the sky clear of clouds and generously scattered with stars. The moon shone brightly, unhindered, washing the quiet world below in silver light.
"Good night, Mum," Elaine called out loudly, making it sound as though she were retreating to her room for the night. Instead, she took a different turn down the hallway, her steps cautious. She scanned her surroundings briefly, as though someone might be watching though she knew it was a normal reaction when doing something one wasn't supposed to.
She pushed open the door and stepped into Allan's room.
He was already seated, fully dressed in a black hoodie and black slacks, his usual attire. He glanced up at her calmly.
"She's gone to bed," Elaine whispered.
"What's with the whispering?" he asked, arching a brow.
She cleared her throat. "Nothing," she said quickly. "I'll go change my clothes. I'll be quick."
She tugged at the hem of her pajama shirt, and his eyes moved over her almost instinctively before returning to her face.
"Sure," he replied.
Elaine slipped out of the room with silent, hurried steps. When she returned moments later, she was dressed in a black hoodie that matched his, paired with black denim.
"I'm ready," she said, standing in front of him.
She paused, hands on her hips. "But wait… how are we even getting there this late?"
Allan rose lazily and extended his palm toward her.
Elaine stared at his hand, then up at his face, confusion knitting her brows.
"I'm supposed to… place my hand there?" she asked tentatively.
He said nothing, only narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Fine," she muttered, placing her hand in his.
Instantly, darkness swallowed her vision. Though her eyes were closed, it felt as though she had been plunged into nothingness. A strange, unsettling sensation rippled through her body, brief, disorienting.
What's happening? she wondered.
"You can open your eyes," a voice said, pulling her back.
She blinked once. Twice. Three times.
"Wait… we're at school?" she gasped.
Her gaze darted around in disbelief before settling on Allan, who was already walking away.
"Wait!" she called. "How is that even possible?"
She hurried after him. "Is this one of your abilities as a Phantom Lord?"
"Haven't I told you already?" he replied coolly.
She paused, then remembered, he had mentioned it before.
"Okay," she said with a sigh of surrender.
They moved deeper into the school grounds, the night eerily quiet around them.
"The last dream you had," Allan said suddenly, "there was a painting."
Her attention snapped fully to him.
"A painting," she echoed.
"There was something behind it," he continued. "A brown paper."
"So… do you know where the painting is?" she asked.
He stopped briefly.
"No."
She stared at him. "You don't know?" Shock laced her voice. "And here I was thinking you knew everything about HERBERT WILBUR."
She sighed, disappointment creeping in as they continued walking.
As they entered the building, Elaine noticed two silhouettes waiting ahead. She didn't need anyone to tell her who they were.
Horace and Gwen.
"You finally came," Gwen said with a frown, clearly displeased that they'd been kept waiting.
She released a long sigh. "So what's going on? Why did you come back here?"
A few seconds passed.
"We're looking for something," Elaine answered, stepping forward when Allan remained silent. "It's related to the spirit. A painting… and a paper."
"And what exactly is that supposed to mean?" Gwen pressed, clearly unimpressed with the vagueness.
"Which part of HERBERT WILBUR has the most paintings?" Allan asked suddenly, his tone detached, eyes scanning the darkness ahead.
The question made Gwen and Horace pause.
"Oh—um…" They both thought hard.
"Probably the administration building," Horace finally said.
Elaine was certain she saw Allan close his eyes briefly, then open them again.
Does he have a problem there? she wondered.
"Let's go," Allan said simply, already moving.
"Is he really going?" Horace muttered, just loud enough for them to hear.
As they walked, Allan's pace quickened.
He could have sworn he saw someone in the distance.
It could have been anyone, but his instincts never lied.
---
Silent steps glided across the floors as delicate fingers brushed against pale walls.
"Where exactly is Mr. Hance's office?" Dana asked, her voice soft, blending seamlessly with the night.
"It's nearby," Vanessa replied quietly. "But how sure are you that we'll find something there?"
"I don't know," Dana said honestly. "But I'm very sure."
There was something about a soul leech that could be considered a weakness or strength, 'curiousity' they were very curious creatures, they would never let anything go without getting to the bottom of it.
She paused, then added, "Let's call it instinct."
Turning slowly, a sinister smile curved her lips. The moonlight filtering through the large corridor window made her expression appear almost eerie, her features sharp and unsettling.
She took the left turn without another word, leaving Vanessa standing alone.
Moments later, another set of footsteps echoed softly—
Taking the right turn.