Shadow of Death (SOD)

Chapter 9

After asking around, it didn’t take long for the father-and-son duo to locate the head of the university’s office.

However, throughout the walk, Asher couldn’t shake off the uneasy feeling settling in his stomach.

At first, he had thought perhaps the strange exhaustion affecting the residents of Vespers was limited to the adults.

Maybe it was something related to work.

Long hours.

Stress.

Anything that could explain the permanent tiredness he had noticed since arriving.

But now that he was surrounded by students, he was beginning to realize that his assumptions were wrong.

The students looked drained too.

Some had dark bags beneath their eyes.

Others walked sluggishly, their shoulders drooping and their steps lacking energy.

They looked as though they had barely slept in days.

Only a few appeared somewhat active and energetic.

Asher’s brows gradually furrowed.

This was becoming far too widespread to be a coincidence.

Something was wrong.

He didn’t know what yet, but he had already decided that he would investigate it soon.

Aside from being observant, Asher was also naturally curious.

When something didn’t make sense, leaving it alone had never been particularly easy for him.

Knock—! Knock—!

Jack gently knocked on the office door and waited.

A few seconds passed before a voice came from inside.

"Come in."

Jack twisted the handle and pushed the door open before walking inside.

Asher followed closely behind.

The office was spacious and professionally furnished, reflecting the importance of the person occupying it.

A large wooden desk sat near the center of the room, its surface neatly arranged with documents, folders, and a computer monitor.

Behind it stood a high-backed leather chair, while several cushioned seats were positioned opposite the desk for visitors.

Tall bookshelves lined one wall, packed with academic records, reference books, and neatly organized files.

Framed certificates, awards, and photographs decorated the walls, proudly displaying the university’s achievements over the years.

A wide window behind the desk allowed natural light to pour into the room, illuminating the polished floor and giving the entire office a calm, authoritative atmosphere.

A small seating area occupied one corner, complete with a coffee table and several comfortable chairs for informal meetings.

"Yes?"

The man sitting behind the desk spoke as he lowered his glasses slightly.

His eyes were bloodshot.

Not merely tired.

Bloodshot.

He rubbed his face wearily, as though even keeping his eyes open required effort.

Asher immediately noticed it.

Again.

But he kept quiet.

"I’m Mr Reid. We spoke over the phone?"

It took several seconds before recognition finally crossed the man’s exhausted expression.

"Oh. Yeah."

He adjusted himself in his chair.

"Please come in and have your seat."

Asher gently closed the door behind him before following his father toward the chairs.

They both sat down.

Asher’s eyes naturally wandered across the desk until they landed on the small nameplate positioned in front of the principal.

Mr Kirk Josh.

Principal of Vespers University.

"This is the boy?"

Mr Kirk pointed toward Asher.

Jack nodded with a firm smile before subtly nudging Asher.

The boy understood immediately.

He reached into his backpack and pulled out a folder before handing it over to the principal.

Kirk received it, opened it, and began going through the contents.

Asher watched him quietly.

’Why do they all look like this?’

His gaze lingered on the man’s bloodshot eyes.

’His eyes are just like the cashier’s from yesterday.’

The thought gnawed at him.

At this point, Asher desperately wanted to ask.

He wanted to simply lean forward and ask why everyone in the city looked as though they hadn’t slept properly in years.

But he held himself back.

It felt disrespectful to question the principal about something so personal, especially when they had only just met.

"Hm..."

Kirk continued reading.

Then his eyebrows lifted slightly.

"What a good result."

He scanned another section of the document.

"Wow... and his high school really sang his praises all through. Ha!"

The exhausted man chuckled before closing the folder and handing it back.

Asher accepted it and carefully slid it into his backpack.

Mr Kirk rubbed his face again.

The gesture was becoming almost habitual.

He then reached toward his computer and began typing several things into it.

The rhythmic tapping of the keyboard filled the otherwise quiet office.

After a few moments, he bent down slightly and pulled open a drawer.

He rummaged through it briefly before finally pulling out two documents.

He placed them in front of Asher.

"These are the formalities. One is for your information to be inputted, and the second is a test you have to take now."

Asher looked down at the documents before collecting them.

He reached into his bag and pulled out his pen.

With calm concentration, he began scribbling across the first document.

His hand moved meticulously as he filled in the required information.

Once he was finished, he pushed the form aside.

Then he turned his attention toward the test.

His expression became focused.

One question after another.

His pen moved steadily across the paper as he began answering.

His handwriting was clean and legible, each letter carefully formed as determination coursed through his veins.

He wasn’t about to fail.

Within ten minutes, all twenty questions had been answered.

Asher gave the papers one final glance before handing them back to the principal.

Kirk collected the documents, adjusted his glasses, and began going through the information and answers.

His eyes moved from one question to another.

With every glance, every answer he checked, his expression became increasingly satisfied.

He nodded several times, a tired smile slowly finding its way onto his face.

"Mhm. Now I see why your high school couldn’t stop singing your praises."

He arranged the documents neatly before setting them aside.

"Now, your fees just need to be paid so you have access to your uniform, which will be arranged now, and then we can be set."

Jack reached into his pocket and pulled out a cheque book.

"What’s the amount?"

Mr Kirk looked at the man for a moment.

"Ten thousand."

Jack faltered slightly.

His expression remained composed, but the brief pause didn’t escape Asher’s notice.

The man eventually breathed out a quiet sigh.

He wrote the amount, signed the cheque, tore it from the book, and handed it over to the principal.

Kirk nodded as he accepted the cheque.

He then turned toward the telephone resting on his desk.

Picking it up, he muttered,

"Come in."

He placed the receiver back down.

They waited.

Several minutes passed before a woman finally walked into the office with a measurement tape in hand.

She approached Asher.

After giving him a brief nod, the boy stood up.

The woman quickly began taking his measurements, carefully noting each one down.

Her movements were efficient, almost mechanical.

Asher remained still throughout the process.

But his eyes didn’t.

He couldn’t help noticing the woman’s hands.

They trembled.

Not slightly.

They shook like she was barely holding herself together.

’What’s wrong with everyone here?’

The thought briefly crossed his mind.

He didn’t say anything.

Once she was finished, the woman briskly left the room.

"How long should we wait?" Jack asked as he watched Asher settle back down, the boy’s expression thoughtful.

"Thirty minutes at most," Kirk replied. "She would take the measurements and match it with the uniforms in our system to see if his size is available."

Jack nodded.

They decided to wait.

Minutes passed in tense silence.

Asher remained seated while his eyes quietly wandered around the office.

The certificates.

The shelves.

The computer.

The desk.

And occasionally, the principal.

Everything looked normal.

Yet somehow, none of it felt normal.

Finally, the door opened again.

The same woman walked back into the room.

This time, she carried a neatly packaged uniform.

She walked toward Asher and handed it to him.

Asher accepted it and looked down at the package before glancing around the office.

"So uhm... do I try this one here?"

Kirk shook his head.

"Of course not. Don’t worry. It’s your perfect size, so rest assured."

"Mhm."

Asher nodded.

He looked down at the uniform once more before holding it securely.

"So when can he resume?" Jack asked as he rose from his seat.

Asher followed his father’s movement and stood as well.

"Today is Friday. So he can come on Monday," Kirk replied, rising from his chair.

Jack nodded.

He stretched his hand forward.

"Thank you, Mr. Kirk."

The principal grasped his hand and gave him a tired smile.

"My pleasure, Mr. Reid."

"Thank you," Asher uttered.

Soon, father and son were on their way out of the office.

The door slowly closed behind them.

Kirk remained standing for a few seconds, staring blankly at the closing door.

Then the moment they were gone from sight, the tiredness he had been suppressing seemed to crash down on him all at once.

’Damn.’

Kirk sank heavily into his chair.

His head dropped back as he released an exhausted breath.

The room became quiet once more.

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