If Feelings Weren't Real.

4. Shadows In The Silence.

Bill nodded, his expression grim. "And I don't think he's done yet."

The weight of their discovery settled over them like a shroud. They were dealing with a predator, one who had been hiding in plain sight, stalking their prey with chilling precision.

As they secured the evidence and prepared to leave, Emma couldn't shake the feeling that they were missing something, a piece of the puzzle still obscured in the shadows. But one thing was clear: the hunt was on, and they were now the hunters.

The quiet of the night enveloped them as they made their way back, the old mill receding into the darkness behind them. But the silence was no longer oppressive; it was a challenge, a call to arms.

And Agent Ashley Emma was ready to answer.

************

The morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the room and pulled me from the depths of my restless dreams. I sat up, rubbing the sleep from my eyes, the eerie feeling of being watched still lingering at the back of my mind.

Mackenzie was already up, humming softly as she moved around the kitchenette of the small apartment, a sign of normalcy in the midst of the unsettling new reality. "Morning," Mackenzie chirped, noticing my movement. "Sleep well?"

I managed to give a half-smile, pushing aside my lingering dread. "As well as I could, considering."

Mackenzie nodded, understandingly. "We'll figure this out, Kyles. But first, coffee and campus. We're college students now, remember? Time to embrace the chaos."

As we prepared for their first day, the promise of new beginnings momentarily lifted Kyla's spirits. The buzz of activity on campus was infectious, students milling about, laughter and chatter filling the air. It was a welcome distraction, a semblance of normalcy in the shadow of the recent experiences.

That's when we met Emei.

Bright-eyed and bubbling with enthusiasm, Emei approached them near the central fountain, a stack of campus maps in her hands. "You look like you could use a guide," she grinned, her eyes sparkling with a friendly curiosity.

Kenzie and I exchanged a glance, our initial hesitation fading under Emei's infectious charm. "We're actually pretty lost," Mackenzie admitted, "New here."

"Perfect! I'm Emei. Consider me your personal tour guide for the day," she declared, her confidence reassuring. As she led us through the sprawling campus, pointing out landmarks and sharing snippets of college lore, I felt a sense of camaraderie forming. This place, with its vibrant energy and diverse crowd, suddenly felt a bit more like home.

My newfound sense of belonging was abruptly shattered when we rounded a corner, coming face to face with Jacob. His presence was like a cold shadow over the bright day, a stark reminder of the unease that had followed me since I first met him.

"Jacob, right?" Emei said, breaking the awkward silence. "Didn't expect to see you here."

Jacob's eyes flickered with a mix of surprise and something unreadable as he nodded. "Emei. Yeah, I study here too."

The tension was palpable, the cheerful ambiance of the campus tour momentarily forgotten. My mind raced, the unsettling feeling returning with a vengeance.

Jacob opened his mouth like he was about to say something but before any more could be said, an announcement echoed through the campus, calling all students to gather at the city hall for an urgent address from the mayor. The tone was somber, a stark contrast to the lively atmosphere just moments before.