As the sun began to peek over the edge of the horizon, casting a soft golden hue across the quiet landscape, Ty was already in motion, pushing his body through the familiar rhythm of his morning physical training. The air was crisp and cool with a dew still holding the last traces of nights rain. Each breath he drew filled his lungs with a sharp clarity that shook off the remnants of sleep. His boots crunched against the gravel path as he jogged along the edge of the field, muscles warm and heart pounding in a steady beat. Around him, the world was only just beginning to stir. Except for a feeling he had noticed back a few strides—behind him, keeping pace—the black wolf had come again. This time, it didn't speak at all. It simply seemed to be encouraging him, willing him to continue.
Usually, Ty would have become tired after only three kilometers, but today he was already approaching his sixth. Has this wolf been making me stronger… or maybe it's giving me more endurance? While he was deep in thought, he didn't notice the other person catching up behind him.
"Hey, Ty, wait up!" Tara called exasperatingly as she tried to catch up with him.
Tara finally caught up to Ty, sweating heavily and short of breath. "I've been following you for the last kilometer! How do you keep a pace like that for so long?"
"You know, it's all about proper breathing," Ty said—making that up on the spot so he didn't have to explain that his endurance just seemed to have become god-like overnight.
While Tara was bent over catching her breath, her hands on her knees, Ty couldn't help but notice how her sports top and tight-fitting shorts accentuated her body in all the right ways. His eyes must have lingered too long, because when she caught his gaze, she was blushing with a pouting expression.
"Men—so predictable. I know what you're after now," she said with a devious smile.
"No, I swear, Tara… I just— I mean—" Ty was stumbling all over his words as Tara gradually jogged ahead, looking over her shoulder and giggling to herself.
She knew exactly how to throw him into a state of utter confusion—how to get under his skin, just the right amount. He had no defenses against it.
After they had both arrived to class and the day had begun, there was an announcement for everyone to go to the assembly room.
By this time, Mark had caught up with them. "Hey guys, do you think this is about that earthquake yesterday?" Mark said as he slung his arms around Tara and Ty's shoulders.
"I'm sure we're going to find out, buddy. Now let's get into our formation," Ty replied, breaking off from the trio to go to his designated row.
The students were made to stand during all assemblies—feet shoulder-width apart, arms folded neatly behind their backs, with one hand clasping the other in a fist. The university commander addressed the assembly quickly after they were all in formation. The commander had a crew cut, broad shoulders, and a voice that could rival the growl of a bear.
"I would like to address first what happened yesterday, before the rumor mill gets out of control. Yesterday, our senior students were out on one of their routine exercises. The enemy engaged. They acted accordingly, with bravery, and defeated them in one fell swoop.
That is all you need to know and remember—your safety is our top priority. You are dismissed from your classes, and we do not want to hear any more gossip about what happened outside of what you have now been told."
"Woah, did you guys hear that? It was actually the enemy this time! It wasn't an earthquake—it wasn't some kind of natural phenomenon. We've got to dig into this," Ty said excitedly shortly after they had left the assembly area.
"Listen, Ty, I'm all for your enthusiasm, but we've got to be careful on this one. You heard the commander say he didn't want to hear any more gossip, and we have to respect that," Mark said.
"Since when are you one to not gossip, Mark?" Ty retorted.
"Ty just has to know the answer, doesn't he? Just like you had to stare this morning." Tara's response was in jest, but it still stung Ty to hear her say it.
"Oh yeah? What was he staring at, huh? What were you looking at there, buddy?" Mark mocked with a cockeyed grin while looking at Ty.
Completely abashed, Ty spoke to them both. "Come on, guys, I'm being serious. It's what I was talking about yesterday. We've got to get to the bottom of this and figure out what the hell is going on around here."
As they were speaking, another student overheard. He walked up behind them and quickly hurried them into an empty classroom, shutting the door behind him.
"Do you guys know him?" the Japanese senior student asked.
"What are you—"
"What's it to you if we do?" Ty cut Mark off.
"Look, if you guys know him, you should keep it quiet." The Japanese student looked over his shoulder, as if worried someone might hear them even in the empty classroom, then hurriedly continued.
"I heard that it wasn't even the administration that pulled him in. He's been taken to the government… the Ministry is probably talking to him now."
"Are you kidding me? The Ministry got him?" Tara said, her eyes widening.
"Look, it's better if you just pretend you didn't know him at all. It's better if we all pretend we just didn't know Cyrus." With that, the student parted awkwardly, quickly exiting the classroom and shutting the door behind him.
The trio stared at each other, awestruck. Ty thought to himself, Well, this is getting interesting.
Then he said triumphantly, with a grin, "See, you two? I told you there was going to be more to this than you thought. I think Cyrus was the guy I bumped into in the hallway yesterday. I remember what he looked like—"
Mark cut Ty off. "I don't think so, man. If you keep going down this rabbit hole and the Ministry is involved…" He soured his face at the word Ministry. "You're going to be on your own. I'm not messing with the government."
Tara gently took Ty's hand in hers and spoke softly. "Ty, this is getting scary. Should we really go down this path? That student didn't pull us aside for idle chat— that was a warning."
After contemplating for a while what his friends had said, Ty looked up. He placed a hand on each of their shoulders.
"The danger behind it is exactly why I know something's wrong with this whole situation. Guys, we need answers. We can't keep going around with blinders on, pretending everything's fine when we know deep down that it isn't. All I know is... I have to talk to Cyrus. He's seen the enemies. He'll have the answers I need."
After saying that, he didn't wait for their goodbyes, comments, or complaints. He was done being indecisive. He was done simply taking what he was told as truth. Now was the time to find the answers to his questions. He wasn't going to let it slip away when an opportunity like this presented itself. Ty promptly turned, walked out of the room, and closed the door.
Mark and Tara looked at each other with fear in their eyes. They shared a thought without having to say it out loud—
He's really going to get in trouble this time.