The campus café was unusually peaceful that evening.
Soft music played through hidden speakers while students filled the tables with quiet conversations and laptop screens glowing under warm lights.
For once…
Things felt normal.
At least on the surface.
Nathan sat lazily across from Chloe, spinning a spoon between his fingers while Alex argued with Samantha over something on her laptop.
"That coding structure is terrible," Samantha said flatly.
Alex looked offended. "It is not terrible."
"It looks like you lost a fight with common sense."
Nathan nearly choked on his drink laughing.
Alex pointed at him immediately. "Stay out of this."
"No," Nathan grinned. "She cooked you."
Chloe rolled her eyes, though a small smile escaped her.
For a moment…
It almost felt easy.
Like they were just ordinary students.
But Chloe couldn't relax.
Not after Esther's warning.
Her eyes drifted toward Nathan without meaning to.
He looked normal.
Annoying.
Relaxed.
Alive.
And somehow that made the threat worse.
If anything happened to Esther…
Nathan dies.
Chloe clenched her cup slightly.
Samantha noticed instantly.
Because Samantha noticed everything.
"You okay?" she asked casually.
Too casually.
Chloe looked up quickly.
"Yeah."
Lie.
Samantha studied her for a second longer before returning to her screen.
But she didn't fully buy it.
Across the café, Esther entered quietly.
And the entire energy shifted.
At least for Chloe.
Nathan noticed her first.
"Oh no," he muttered.
Alex laughed immediately. "She found you again."
"I'm leaving."
"You literally just sat down."
"Doesn't matter."
Esther walked over carrying two drinks.
One of them
Nathan's favorite.
"I guessed you'd be here," she said softly.
Nathan sighed dramatically. "You scare me."
"That hurts."
"You'll survive."
Chloe watched carefully.
Too carefully.
Esther looked calm.
Warm.
Almost harmless.
Which made her terrifying.
Samantha glanced between them quietly.
Observing.
Calculating.
Esther handed Nathan the drink.
Their fingers brushed slightly.
Chloe's jaw tightened instantly.
Nathan noticed.
And smirked.
Dangerous mistake.
"Oh?" he said, leaning back slightly. "Are you jealous?"
Chloe nearly threw her drink at him.
"In your dreams."
Nathan grinned wider. "That's not a no."
Alex burst out laughing.
Even Samantha smiled slightly.
Only Esther didn't.
She noticed the tension too.
And her eyes lingered on Chloe for half a second too long.
Like a silent warning.
Chloe looked away first.
Not out of fear.
Out of frustration.
Meanwhile…
Far Across the city…
Leo Green stood inside his office, staring at multiple holographic screens glowing softly in the dark.
One displayed financial reports.
Another security systems.
And one
Displayed Samantha Valentine's profile.
A knock interrupted the silence.
"Come in."
The door opened slowly.
Mary stepped inside.
Leo didn't look surprised.
"I was wondering when you'd come."
Mary shut the door behind her.
"We need to talk.
Leo finally looked at her.
His expression unreadable as always.
"About Alex?" he asked calmly.
"No," Mary replied sharply.
"About Phantom."
Silence.
For the first time
Leo's eyes sharpened slightly.
Interesting.
Back at the café…
The group eventually split apart as night settled over campus.
Alex left first.
Then Samantha.
Leaving Chloe and Nathan walking together beneath the dim campus lights.
For a while
Neither spoke.
Nathan shoved his hands into his pockets.
"You've been weird all day."
Chloe frowned slightly. "I'm always weird."
"Not like this."
She stayed quiet.
Nathan glanced at her.
"…Did something happen?"
Yes.
A lot.
But she couldn't tell him.
Not without risking him.
So instead she said
"You should be more careful."
Nathan blinked.
"…What?"
"With people," Chloe replied quietly.
"With who you trust."
Nathan laughed softly.
"That's random."
"I'm serious."
Something in her tone made him look at her properly this time.
The teasing faded slightly from his expression.
"…Chloe."
She stopped walking.
So did he.
The night breeze moved softly around them as campus lights reflected in her eyes.
"You don't have to tell me what's wrong," Nathan said quietly.
"But something is bothering you."
Chloe looked away.
Because if she looked at him any longer
She might tell him everything.
And she couldn't.
Not after Esther's threat.
"…Just promise me something," she said softly.
Nathan raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
Chloe hesitated.
Then finally looked at him again.
"Don't disappear on me."
Nathan stared at her for a moment.
Surprised.
Confused.
Maybe even touched.
Then his usual grin returned slightly.
"Wow," he said softly. "You really do like me that much?."
Chloe immediately shoved him.
Hard.
Nathan burst out laughing as he nearly lost balance.
"There she is," he laughed.
"I regret caring about your safety already."
But even as they joked
Neither of them noticed the figure watching quietly from the rooftop above.
Still.
Patient.
Hidden in darkness.
And in the shadows
The game continued.