"You want to die?! If anyone hears you, you're finished!" Another curt voice panted, sounding extremely nervous.
"Who the hell is going to hear us? It's just the two of us here. If word gets out, it'll be because you told someone!" The owner of the shrill voice fired back with impeccable logic.
"Oh, come on, would I sell you out? Relax..." The owner of the short, gruff voice choked on his words and tried to explain, but he sounded thoroughly unconvincing.
"I don't trust you! Stay away from me. Isn't that Cass from our academy too? I didn't see you hesitate when you went up and kicked him last time!" The student with the shrill voice exposed his companion's dirty secret.
"Say that any louder! Are you afraid nobody will hear you?!" The student with the short, gruff voice first snapped a warning, then abruptly lowered his voice. "He provoked the noble lords. I... I kicked him so I wouldn't get dragged into it. What's a little fine? If I catch the eye of someone important, I might even land myself a good future after graduation!" The more he spoke, the clearer the smugness in his voice became.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. No wonder you've got so many tricks up your sleeve. You're even experienced at being a dog..." The two bickered as they walked farther away.
Cass stood at the corner of the corridor for a long time before leaving through another exit.
At noon that day, the school announced a full lockdown.
All passages between the walls and the bay were sealed off. Classes were suspended, and students were forbidden from leaving their dormitory buildings without permission. This time, there were no privileges and no exceptions.
The torches in the corridors remained lit, but their flames were dimmer