Pov Josiane...
Josie didn't think twice.
The moment Linux , Cain , and Kaela disappeared toward the Student Council wing—
She followed.
Not directly.
Not obviously.
But close enough.
Her heartbeat matched her steps.
Fast. Determined.
I'm not staying out.
The corridor outside the council room was empty.
Too empty.
The door at the end was closed.
For once.
No voices.
No movement.
Just silence.
Josie slowed down.
Think.
If she walked in directly—
They'd stop talking.
Hide things.
Again.
Her eyes scanned the hallway.
Then—
A side passage.
Narrow. Less used.
She slipped into it quietly.
It ran along the council room wall.
And at the end—
A small ventilation panel.
Half-open.
Her breath caught.
"Perfect…"
Inside the room—
Voices.
Muffled.
Serious.
Josie crouched slightly near the vent.
Heart pounding loudly in her ears.
"…we don't have time anymore," Kaela's voice echoed.
Cain replied, "Rushing this will make it worse."
"Anddelaying it is already making it worse," shesnapped.
Josie leaned closer.
Trying to hear every word.
Linux spoke next.
"We focus on the leak."
Leak?
"Whatleak?" Cain asked.
Kaela placed something on the table.
A faint sound echoed.
"Someoneaccessed the archives last night."
Josie froze.
"…That was me," she whispered under her breath.
"Wedon't know who,"Kaela continued.
"But they found E.V.E records."
Silence.
Then Cain —
"So it's already exposed."
"No," Linux said firmly. "Not fully."
Kaela'stone sharpened. "It's starting."
Josie's fingers tightened against the wall.
Starting what…?
Cain exhaled slowly.
"Then we shut it down again."
Linux shook his head. "We don't even know who's running it now."
"That's the problem," Kaela added.
"And there's something else."
Her voice dropped.
Serious.
Different.
Josie leaned even closer.
"What?" Linux asked.
Apause.
Then—
"The activation list… has been updated."
Josie's breath stopped.
Updated?
"How many names?" Cain asked.
Kaeladidn't answer immediately.
"…More than before."
Linux went completely still.
"That shouldn't be possible."
"Itis," Kaela said quietly.
"And one more thing."
Josie's heart pounded harder.
Kaela's next words came slow.
Clear.
Careful.
"One of the names… is already being targeted."
Silence.
Heavy.
Cain spoke first.
"Who?"
Kaela didn't say it out loud.
But she didn't need to.
Because Linux's voice dropped.
"…Josie."
Everything inside her went still.
They knew.
They knew she was involved.
They knew she was a target.
Linux cursed under his breath. "This is exactly what we were trying to avoid."
Kaela added quietly, "Itmeans she's been marked."
Marked.
The word echoed in my mind.
Cold.
Sharp.
Real.
Linux's voice came next.
Not calm.
Not controlled.
Angry.
"I told you we should've handled this earlier."
"And I told you hiding it wouldn't protect her forever," Kaela shot back.
Cain stepped in. "Stop. Fighting won't fix this."
Silence again.
Then Linux —
"We keep her out of direct contact."
Josie clenched her jaw.
Not happening.
Kaela disagreed immediately.
"That won't work anymore."
"So what do you suggest?" Linux asked.
"We prepare her."
That changed the room.
Cain looked at Kaela. "You mean tell her everything?"
"Yes."
Linux shook his head. "She's not ready."
"She's already involved,"
Kaela replied. "You can't protect someone by keeping them blind."
That line hit harder than anything.
Even outside the room—
Josie felt it.
Her phone vibrated suddenly.
She froze.
Screen lighting up.
I looked down slowly.
Listening from outside won't help.
My breath stopped.
Another message appeared.
Come inside.
Fear shot through her chest.
It knew.
It knew where she was.
Inside the room—
Linux's voice suddenly sharpened.
"Wait."
Footsteps.
Coming toward the door.
I panicked.
My eyes darted around.
No place to hide.
No time to run.
The door handle moved.
My heart slammed against her ribs.
Think. Think. THINK—
The door opened.
Light spilled into the corridor.
And there—
Linux stood.
Right in front of me .
Silence.
Complete.
Unavoidable.
His eyes met hers.
Not surprised.
Not angry.
Just…
Disappointed.
"Josie," he said quietly.
She straightened slowly.
"Ican explain."
Cain appeared behind him.
"…You followed us?"
Kaela stepped forward too.
Her gaze sharp but not harsh.
More like—
I expected this.
Josie swallowed.
Then said it.
Clear.
Firm.
"I'm not staying out anymore."
Silence.
Again.
But different this time.
Not hiding.
Not avoiding.
Deciding.
Linux exhaled slowly.
Closed his eyes for a second.
Then opened them again.
This time—
Resolved.
"Then come in."
Josie stepped inside the room.
The door closed behind her.
And for the first time—
She wasn't outside the truth.
She was standing in the middle of it.
To be continued…