Chapter 9
Volik
Ilift my forehead from my desk and look at the clock.
Almost noon.
I stand.
My limbs are restless.
My fingers clench and unclench.
I… cannot stay here.
I stride to my door and rip it open, then step into the hall.
A trio of staff members stands a few yards away, staring at me, their conversation gone silent.
When I just stare back, they all hurry through the open office door beside them.
I roll my shoulders and work my jaw.
I’m not like this on campus.
Not hostile.
I stay hidden. I interact as little as possible.
But today…
I reach up and undo the top three buttons on my shirt.
I feel too hot.
I shove one sleeve up.
I am overheating.
I shove the other sleeve up.
My skull feels like it’s vibrating.
My body feels like it’s priming for a fight.
I need to move.
My footsteps rattle the doorways as I stomp down the hall.
The front door groans as I tear it open. But I barely hear it.
Static fills my ears.
Outside, I stop.
I breathe in the cool air.
Taste the storm approaching.
Taste the trees.
Taste… that fucking whisper of a scent.
It is so close to forming.
It is so close to becoming real.
I can feel it.
Slowly, I turn away from the sidewalk and head deeper into campus.
There is something here.
And I am going to find it.