Bound By Power

Chapter 4

The next morning, after breakfast, Camila and I make our way to the foyer of the main building. The space is packed with students, all buzzing with activity. As we weave through the crowd, we talk in hushed voices about the creature that attacked us the night before.

Camila looks concerned as she admits, "I don't know what that thing was, but it's better if you don't tell anyone about it just yet. Not until we understand more." Her voice is calm but firm, and I nod in agreement.

As we continue walking, I notice Nico waving at us from across the foyer. He weaves through the crowd, making his way toward us with a friendly smile.

"Hey, you two," he greets as he joins us, slipping into step beside us. Camila and I exchange a quick glance, keeping the details of last night's encounter unspoken for now. Nico turns to Camila, eyeing her attire for a moment before raising an eyebrow. "You must be the Sanchez girl," he says with a knowing smirk.

Camila, ever composed, gives him a small smile, but there's a hint of discomfort behind her eyes. "That obvious, huh?" she replies lightly, though her tone betrays the weight of the title.

Nico extends his hand toward Camila, his smirk softening into a friendly smile. "I'm Nico, by the way," he says. "Nice to meet you."

Camila shakes his hand politely. "Camila," she responds, though there's a trace of hesitation, as if the title still hangs heavily between them.

Since Nico is one of my only friends here-besides Camila-I decide to take a chance and mention the attack. Lowering my voice, I glance around to make sure no one's listening and then lean in slightly. Just as I open my mouth to mention it, Camila quickly shushes me, her eyes darting around the crowded foyer.

"Not here," she whispers sharply, her expression serious.

I look at Camila, then turn to Nico, lowering my voice. "Actually, Nico might have some information that could help us," I say.

Camila glances at Nico, weighing the situation. She looks at me, uncertainty flickering in her eyes. "I spent the entire night researching that creature," she says quietly. "But I couldn't find anything about it-not in the archives, the restricted section, nowhere. It's like it doesn't exist."

Nico furrows his brow. "Wait, what creature?"

I glance at Camila, and she gives me a slight nod. Taking a deep breath, I explain, "Last night, I was attacked by this... figure. It looked like a dark, shrieking orb and came straight at me. I-I somehow released power from my hands, pushed it away somehow.... mentally and destroyed it."

Nico's eyes widen. "A weird creature attacked you?"

"Apparently," I say with a nervous chuckle. "But we have no idea what that creature was or why it attacked me."

He rubs his chin thoughtfully. "That's bizarre. Such creatures aren't common."

Camila crosses her arms. "Exactly. And the fact that there's no record of it anywhere is troubling."

Nico glances around to make sure no one is listening. "Maybe it's some kind of new threat. We should tell someone-like a professor or the dean."

Camila shakes her head. "I thought about that, but without any information, they'll just think we're making it up or, worse, that you're unstable."

I sigh. "So, what do we do?"

Camila places a hand on my shoulder. "Stay alert. If that thing attacked once, it might try again."

"Agreed," I say. "Thank you both for helping me with this."

"We're a team now," Nico replies with a wink. "We'll figure this out together."