"No, they have passed away." Her confession in a cold tone left me with shock. She walked back to her seat. "I am sorry to hear that." My soft words might not get to her ears. If she heard of Shane Dawson, Lanzo might have more information about him. But, interacting with him often wouldn't be good. Besides, he would know that I was inspecting the photo in the art gallery. He never liked me to unravel the mystery of this academy. Before my head could think of someone who might help, the academic's footsteps messed up everything in my mind. That man in a shady tuxedo started the class. And I forced my focus on the lecture until Marin's touch on my elbow startled my gaze at her. "I am thinking of conveying my feelings for Lanzo." Her low voice sounded like a murmur. My brows arched. "It's time for him to know that I have a crush on him." The lecture kept going. The academic didn't pay his heed to us who were now in chats behind his back. "Since when have

Peering through the glass window, the view of Marin lying on the bed grabbed my sights. Her teary eyes gazed at the boy facing down at her; she implored that boy to stay."Please, don't go. I can't live without you." Her husky voice of pleading Lanzo's compassion pierced my ears. I couldn't even budge my mouth which restrained the sadness inside me. I swallowed the lump of guilt into my stomach."Marin, you need to rest. Besides, the doctor has alerted me to leave." Lanzo turned around but his step reached nowhere. Snatching Lanzo's wrist, Marin prevented him from moving. "If you dare to take one step away, you won't see me for the rest of your life." Marin's caution choked me with dismay. I abruptly squatted in my place, blocking them from noticing my presence. I didn't notice what was going on between them yet I could still hear their debate."Marin...please...don't do this!""I love you." Marin's hopeless words didn't seem to affect him. He stood his ground. "I don't deserve yo

The plan changed, but the mission remained. Hunting Anyhony might open the door to the clue of where Marin was. The darkness dimmed my shadow, slinking into the building. I kept my distance from Anthony who had taken the right turning to the stairs. His act of evading the lift seemed weird. Urgency might steer him to climb up the stairs. His shoes which drummed the tiles created noises, yet it wouldn't attract anyone's vigilance as no one lingered inside this building, except me. Minding my steps, I held my breath to prevent him realizing my coming. Walking in slow motion, I counted the floor. My hands resisted the sound that barely leaped out of my lips when Anthony scanned around before his hand unlocked the door of the laboratory on the fourth floor. What was he going to do in the lab at night?Like a detective, I spied on him. Unfortunately, the door restricted me from getting any access to the inside. Feeling dissatisfied, I grumbled while spinning around. I never had a chance t

I shrieked in panic; my body trembled in great fear. The sweat drenched me. Glancing up, I found Lanzo's hand clasped on mine. "Please, h-help me…" my hoarse voice raced with the breeze."Hold on… I got you." Lanzo's soothing words calmed me. He pulled my body up with all his might. My small body weighed less in his hand. In a minute, I'd already ebbed on the floor. A glass of water shifted to my palm but my shaking hand spilled some of it out. Lanzo patiently held my hand so that I could sip the water slowly. I stared at Lanzo with a locked mouth; yet my eyes were ample to express my gratefulness.. No matter how bad my prejudice toward him was, he was always there for me."Marin…." Looking around, I realized that Marin wasn't detected anywhere. "Where is she?" Lanzo did the same thing, trying to find Marin. "She may have got back to her room? How could you slip down from the balcony?" his forehead furrowed. That startled me. What should I say? It was impossible to tell him the t

The mutters bustle the auditorium full of intelligentsia. The vast number of the intelligentsia narrowed the wide hall even though the seats were well-organized. Luckily, the air conditioning which cooled the innards of the room generated comfort for all of us. The shriek sound from the door that swung open pulled our eyes to focus on the tall brown skinned figure who just emerged at the doorstep. The mumbles perished as soon as that stern look burst out. The head of the academy elegantly ambled toward the couch on the stageThe same MC that ran the event in the last assembly took her place on the stage. The academic sat back to their seats after showing their respect in a bow to their leader, the head of the academy. We set our gaze on the stage a hundred percent, waiting for the announcement. The quietude was over along with the MC's firm voice that echoed across the room. Finishing her foreword, she welcomed the head of the academy to deliver his speech. That man came forward