Lahat ng Kabanata ng Alpha Academy: The Omega in Disguise : Kabanata 141 - Kabanata 150

RONAN'S POVKieran contacted us three days later.The message was simple: We need to talk. Tonight. My room. 10 PM. Important.I showed Elias. "Should we go?""Do we have a choice?""Not really."Kieran's room was in the east wing. Third floor. I'd never been there before. Didn't even know what he looked like beyond brief glimpses in the dining hall.We knocked at exactly ten PM. The door opened immediately.Kieran was taller than I expected. Lean build. Sharp features. Dark hair. Eyes that seemed to see everything."Come in. Quickly."We entered. He locked the door behind us. Drew the curtains. Checked the hallway through the peephole."Paranoid much?" I said."Careful. There's a difference." He gestured to chairs. "Sit."We sat. Kieran remained standing. Pacing slightly."Mercer confronted me yesterday," he said. "Accused me of interfering with his investigation. Threatened me with obstruction charges.""Can he do that?" Elias asked."Technically, no. Talking to people isn't illegal

RONAN'S POVThe old library basement was dark and cold. Nobody used this space anymore. Too old. Too forgotten. Perfect for what we needed to do.We arrived at eleven forty-five. Early. Wanted to make sure the space was secure before Lee showed up.Kieran was already there. Standing near the back wall. Not alone.Someone was with him. Another student. I recognized him vaguely. Third year. Quiet type. Kept to himself mostly."This is Marcus Chen," Kieran said as we approached. "No relation to our Chen. Different family."Marcus nodded at us. He looked nervous but determined."Marcus is willing to bond Lee," Kieran continued. "If Lee agrees.""Why?" I asked. "You barely know him."Marcus met my eyes. "Because nobody helped my sister. She was Omega. Hidden like Lee. Got caught three years ago. They trafficked her. I don't even know where she is now. Probably dead."His voice was flat. Empty. Like he'd said these words so many times they'd lost meaning."I can't save her," Marcus continue

RONAN'S POVThe next day, Mercer confronted Chen and Kieran in the hallway outside the dining hall.We weren't there. Heard about it from Marcus who witnessed the whole thing."Mercer walked right up to them," Marcus said. "Asked about their bond. When it happened. Why so suddenly. He was aggressive.""What did they say?" I asked."Kieran stayed calm. Said it was private. That the bond was legal and registered. Chen looked scared but didn't say anything.""And Mercer?""Pissed. Really pissed. He said something about convenient timing. About too many bonds happening too fast. Then he just walked away."That afternoon, Mercer showed up outside our classroom. Stood in the hallway where everyone could see him. Stared directly at me through the doorway.Not subtle. Not trying to be.A message. A reminder. I'm still here. Still watching.After class, he stopped me. "Mr. Vesper. A moment."Elias tensed beside me but I touched his arm gently. Stay calm."What do you want, Mercer?""Just curi

RONAN'S POVWe didn't wait until noon. At eight AM, we went to the administration building. If someone was running a program, there would be records. Hidden files. Evidence.Kieran met us outside. "We need access to the secure files. The ones that aren't in the regular system.""How do we get in?" I asked."I have access codes. Took them from a faculty computer last month. But we need to be fast. If anyone sees us...""Then we say we're delivering documents. Looking for forms. Whatever."We entered through a side door. The building was mostly empty. Early morning. Most staff didn't arrive until nine.Kieran led us to a small office on the third floor. Records room. Locked.He used the access code. The door clicked open.Inside were rows of filing cabinets. Old computer terminals. Stacks of paperwork."What are we looking for?" Elias asked."Anything labeled restricted. Confidential. Special programs. Omega related." Kieran started pulling drawers open.I took the computer. Booted it u

RONAN'S POVWe arrived at the old library basement at eleven forty-five. Early. Wanted to scope it out before Hale showed.The space was dark. Cold. Empty as far as we could tell."You think he's really coming?" Elias whispered."He sent the message. He exposed the program. Why would he lie now?""Because everyone lies. We've learned that."Fair point.Kieran checked his phone. "Five minutes."We waited in tense silence. Every sound made us jump. Every shadow could be a threat.At exactly midnight, a door we hadn't noticed opened at the back of the basement. Light spilled through. A figure stepped out.Tall. Thin. Dark hair streaked with gray. Tired eyes. Worn clothes.Director Hale. Looking nothing like the polished administrator from photos we'd seen."Thank you for coming," he said. Voice rough. Like he hadn't used it much lately."You're really alive," I said."Obviously. Though barely. They tried very hard to make sure I wasn't.""Castellan?""And others. The program has powerful