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The cafeteria emptied in small groups. Some Vectors returned to their dorms in silence. Others lingered, glancing once or twice toward Kai before disappearing down sterile corridors.
The main group remained at the table a while longer—no one speaking. No one eating.
Eventually, Kai stood.
"I think I'll head back," he said with a calm smile, dusting imaginary crumbs from his tray even though he hadn't touched the food.
The moment he turned, Luna's eyes narrowed.
Her gaze dropped to his arm—specifically, to the dull metal band hugging his wrist just beneath his sleeve. It blinked once.
Green. Subtle.
Luna stood without a word and followed.
The hallway beyond the cafeteria was quiet. The artificial lights buzzed faintly above, flickering just once as if acknowledging her presence.
"Kai," she called out.
He turned, surprised. "Yeah?"
Without hesitation, she stepped forward and grabbed his wrist.
"What is this?"
Kai froze.
"It's just... a wristband," he replied too quickly.
Luna's grip tightened slightly as she tilted his hand up to examine it. Her expression hardened.
"There are no wristbands issued in Project Echelon. No one has one. So where did you get it?"
Kai hesitated. Then, his voice dropped, quiet but honest.
"There was a man in black. I think he—"
The wristband pulsed red.
And then Kai collapsed.
His body jerked violently as a surge of voltage ripped through his arm. His knees hit the ground with a dull thud, back arching as he stifled a scream.
Luna dropped to one knee, alarmed. "Kai?!"
He clutched his wrist, teeth clenched tight. A small burn seared the edge of the band where the skin met metal.
"It—it hurts—!" he gasped, breath ragged.
Luna reached out, but the band blinked green again—calm, as if nothing had happened.
Kai's body slumped forward. The pain faded, but the damage remained. His hand trembled uncontrollably.
"What the hell is that thing doing to you?" she whispered.
Kai didn't answer.
Not because he wouldn't.
Because he couldn't.
Footsteps.
Leilani turned the corner first, flanked by Jade. Both stopped when they saw the scene—Luna crouched, Kai on one knee.
"What happened?" Leilani asked, sharp but not unkind.
Luna looked up, startled for half a second.
Kai's fingers brushed hers—light, subtle. A silent plea.
Don't say it.
Luna hesitated. Then her expression softened.
"He skipped breakfast," she said casually. "Probably skipped dinner too. Just fainted."
Jade raised a brow. "Didn't think he was the fragile type."
Luna shrugged. "Are any of us are built for this?"
Leilani's eyes lingered on Kai, still holding his wrist—but only for a moment. She nodded, then turned.
"Get him some water."
"Yeah," Jade added. "He'll be fine."
They walked off.
When they were out of earshot, Luna whispered, "You okay?"
Kai nodded once, teeth still clenched.
They sat in Luna's room, door sealed, lights dimmed low.
Kai flexed his wrist, flinching at even the smallest movement. The band blinked steadily. Green. Innocent. Silent.
"You can't talk about it," Luna said.
Kai gave a hollow laugh.
"Apparently not."
She exhaled slowly. "What if you write it down?"
Kai shook his head. "It's not just words. I think... it knows intent."
He looked at her.
"It's like... if I even try to give too much away—if I get close to certain memories—it reacts."
His eyes clouded. "They don't want me to remember. Or they don't want me to share what I saw."
Luna's voice was quieter now. "What did you see?"
He was about to answer when it flashed red again.
She placed her hand over his mouth.
Then green.
Luna's breath caught.
"Kai…" she said slowly, "this is worse than I thought."
There was a silence.
Then Kai reached for her hand.
"Can you keep it between us?"
His grip was soft. Careful.
Luna squeezed back.
"You know I will."
When she stood to leave, she looked back at him one last time.
"Try not to think about it too much."
Then the door slid closed, leaving Kai alone—his wrist glowing faintly in the dark.
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Later that evening, the Dome's corridors had dimmed to their low blue night time glow. Most of the Vectors had retired to their rooms, the halls quiet. Luna stood outside Leilani's door, hesitant for the first time in days.
She knocked once.
The door slid open.
Leilani was seated at her desk, a dim desk light casting warm shadows across the room. She didn't look surprised.
"I thought you'd come," she said.
Luna stepped in. Her voice was soft.
"I wanted to talk. Just us."
Leilani turned fully to face her. "Is this about Kai?"
Luna nodded. "I just want to ask… don't worry about him. I'll take care of it."
Leilani blinked. "You care about him that much?"
"I don't care about a lot of people," Luna said. "But sometimes… I make exceptions."
There was a brief silence—comfortable, not tense.
Leilani gave a quiet laugh. "You really aren't what I expected."
"Only when I need to be."
Another pause. Leilani stood, stepping closer.
"Alright," she said, meeting Luna's eyes. "I trust you."
Luna gave a small, rare smile. "Thanks. leader."
Leilani's brow lifted slightly—but she smiled too.
"I didn't think you saw me that way."
"We all do," Luna said, turning toward the door. "We just don't say it out loud."
And with that, she left.