Whispers of Worlds Beyond: A Series - Chapter 61

Chapter 61: Excursion Cancelled Chapter 61: Excursion Cancelled As the moonlight spilled through the windows of Genvah Academy, the silence of the night settled in, and the bustling halls of the school fell quiet.

The boys waited for the last signs of activity to fade before they slipped out of their dormitories, moving as quietly as shadows themselves.

Adrian led the way, his shadow powers making it easier for them to blend into the darkness.

Aiden, Sevan, and Adrian had planned to return to the trophy room, to explore the tunnels further and see what secrets they could uncover.

The night was their only chance-no one would suspect them of wandering the halls after curfew.

Adrian extended his hand to create a thin, almost invisible shadow that stretched from the ground to the ceiling, enveloping them in darkness.

They moved swiftly through the corridors, their footsteps muffled by the thick darkness.

But as they neared the intersection leading to the trophy room, Aiden’s eyes caught something in the distance-someone standing just beyond the corner of the hall.

It was Emmeranne.

She was standing by the window, her back slightly turned to them, her dark hair spilling down her back.

The faint light from the moon illuminated her figure, but she didn’t seem to notice the boys.

She was lost in thought, her gaze drifting through the glass, as if contemplating something.

The three of them froze, pressing themselves further into the shadows.

Adrian’s hand tightened on Aiden’s shoulder, signaling him to remain still.

Aiden’s heart skipped a beat, his mind racing.

What was Emmeranne doing here, alone, at this hour?

Finally, Emmeranne made her move.

As they cautiously waited in the shadows, Aiden’s gaze stayed fixed on Emmeranne.

She was moving with purpose, her steps steady as she descended the stairs from the higher levels of the school.

She was clearly heading somewhere, but where?

“She’s not going back to her room,” Sevan murmured, his voice low as he observed Emmeranne’s movements.

“This can’t be good.” Adrian, too, was watching intently, his eyes narrowing as he tracked her every step.

There was a quiet urgency in the air, but none of them spoke it aloud.

It was an unspoken agreement that they needed to keep following her, to understand what she was up to.

The boys stepped softly, staying in the shadows of the corridor as they moved behind her, careful not to make a sound.

They were close enough to hear her footsteps now, the soft thud of her boots against the stone floors.

Aiden’s heartbeat quickened, his thoughts racing.

What was she doing out here so late?

Emmeranne reached the landing and continued down the stairs without glancing back.

She moved swiftly, her footsteps never faltering.

The three boys quickened their pace slightly, making sure they weren’t too far behind.

They turned the corner just in time to see her open the doors leading outside to the courtyard.

But then, just as quickly, the doors slammed shut behind her with a loud thud, echoing through the hallways.

Adrian cursed under his breath.

“Fuck.

We’ve lost her.” Aiden’s stomach sank.

They had been so close-too close-and now they were stuck, unable to follow without exposing themselves.

They had been careful, hidden in the shadows, but now, the only option was to turn back.

Sevan muttered something in frustration, his hand hovering near the door.

He glanced at Adrian and Aiden.

“Should we try to open it?” “No,” Adrian said, shaking his head.

“If she’s out there, we’ll only draw attention.

We need to lay low for now.” They waited in silence, watching the door as if expecting it to open again.

Aiden’s mind raced.

He had the nagging feeling that Emmeranne wasn’t just going for a late-night stroll.

There was something deliberate about the way she moved, the way she acted when they’d crossed paths earlier.

After a few moments, Adrian sighed, his posture relaxing slightly.

“We’re not going to catch her now.

Let’s head back before we get caught.” Sevan gave the door one last glance before nodding.

“Yeah.

We’re already pushing our luck.” Reluctantly, the boys turned away, their footsteps slow and deliberate as they retraced their steps back down the hallway.

As they walked back to the dormitories, the tension between them was palpable.

Adrian’s eyes were focused ahead, but Aiden could see the gears turning in his mind.

Sevan, too, had been quiet, his usual chatter replaced with a thoughtful silence.

Aiden couldn’t help but feel the unease thickening in the air.

When they reached a quieter part of the corridor, Adrian stopped abruptly, turning to face the group.

“Alright, what was that all about?” he asked, his voice low but sharp.

Sevan frowned, looking back toward the doors they’d just passed.

“Yeah, it’s strange.

Why was she heading outside so late, alone, and why’d she leave like that?

The doors shut behind her before we could even think about following her.” Aiden, still feeling the weight of the encounter, crossed his arms.

“It’s not just that,” he said slowly, his mind racing.

“She’s always been there, hasn’t she?

At the arena, by the forest, right when things happen.

What’s her deal?” Adrian raised an eyebrow.

“Exactly.

Every time something happens, she’s there, lurking around, like she’s watching.

But why?

And why the secrecy?

What’s she hiding?” Sevan shook his head, still looking a bit skeptical.

“You guys are overthinking this.

Maybe she’s just… I don’t know, going for a walk or something.

Not everything has to be some big conspiracy.” But Adrian wasn’t buying it.

He paced back and forth for a moment, his fingers tapping against his jacket.

“It’s not just that.

It’s the timing.

Why now?

And why leave when she knew we were following her?

She didn’t just walk out of the building by accident.” His eyes narrowed, as if he were seeing something the others couldn’t.

“No.

There’s something more to her.

She’s hiding something.

And I have a feeling it’s not something good.” Aiden glanced at Sevan, who seemed a little more relaxed but still uneasy.

“So, what are you thinking?

You’re saying she’s got something to do with all the weird stuff happening around here?” Adrian’s gaze flickered between them, his expression unreadable.

“Yeah, I think she’s involved somehow.

Maybe she’s… playing a game.

Or maybe she’s connected to someone else, someone we don’t know about yet.” He stopped pacing and looked directly at Aiden.

“You’ve noticed it, too, haven’t you?

That weird feeling whenever she’s around.

I know I’m not the only one who’s felt it.” Aiden nodded, his thoughts returning to the strange interactions he’d had with Emmeranne.

It was true- there was something about her that made him feel… off.

Like she was always just one step ahead, like she knew something he didn’t.

“Yeah,” he admitted quietly.

“I’ve felt it.

Every time she’s around, something just doesn’t sit right.” Sevan sighed, looking between them.

“Alright, alright.

Let’s say she’s suspicious.

What are we supposed to do about it?

We can’t just accuse her of something without proof.

And besides, you guys know what it’s like here-there’s always something going on.

Maybe we’re just reading too much into it.” Adrian shook his head, though, his eyes gleaming with determination.

“I don’t think we are.

If she’s up to something, we need to figure out what it is.

I’m not going to just let it slide.” Aiden felt a strange sense of agreement surge within him.

He wasn’t sure what Emmeranne’s role in all of this was, but he didn’t like the feeling she gave him.

He didn’t like being watched, especially not by someone who could hide behind a calm demeanor.

“I think we should keep an eye on her,” Aiden said, his voice steady.

“Just for a bit longer.

I have a feeling this isn’t the last time she’ll show up where she’s not supposed to.”