As Rexan stepped into the school building, she felt it immediately.
Her territory was marked. The humans sensed it, too. Chills rippled through the crowd, and they instinctively avoided her.
Wise choice.
She didn't have time for distractions. Graduation was just around the corner, and she needed to prepare for exams. College was the plan—her only way forward.
Yet, walking through the hallway triggered her hunger.
This morning, Patricia had injected her with hunger suppressors, but the dull ache in her stomach told her it wasn't enough.
The bell rang, followed by an announcement over the speakers. "Good morning, students. Report to the assembly hall for the morning roll call."
The voice repeated itself, as if on a loop: "Good morning, students. Report to the assembly hall for the morning roll call."
Like possessed robots, the teenagers moved in sync toward the assembly hall, and Rexan followed, blending into the flow.
