Location: Salie Fradik School

  During the Third Class

  Room 10 – 8th Grade – Class C

  While the teacher explained the lesson, Harry had his head resting on the desk in front of him, clearly bored with that class. At the same time, he watched his best friend, Max, using his phone at the desk beside him.

  [Harry – Whispering, Tedious & Slightly Sleepy] Max, today is even more tedious than usual. Did you notice that too? -

  [Max – Whispering, Cheerful & Slightly Bored] Yeah, it's probably because there's only one day left until the weekend, and this class is really boring... -

  Everyone in the room was listening to the teacher's explanations, though some were secretly using their phones, afraid of being caught, while others did it openly, since it was allowed. However, in the teacher's eyes, this would still be considered disrespectful to his class, because he was still explaining the content.

  [Harry – Whispering, Tedious & Slightly Sleepy] ...Speaking of that, Max, remember what I asked you to research last week? Did you find anything interesting? -

  [Max – Whispering, Cheerful & Slightly Ironic] Yeah, I did. I found five kidnappings committed by the Oculi that the police quickly concealed from the media a few weeks ago. -

  [Harry – Whispering, Serene & Apprehensive] Among these five kidnappings, what was the average age of the victims? -

  Harry, still with his head resting on his arms and without looking directly at Max, knew the reason behind that question.

  Even while scrolling on his phone, Max wondered several times in just a few seconds whether it was right to reveal or hide the information for his best friend's emotional safety.

  [Max – Whispering, Calm & Thoughtful] Harry, I think it's better if you don't know for now, it's just that...

  [Harry – Whispering, Serious & Calm] ...I understand your concern for me, Max.

  When Max heard that, he felt a slight tightness in his chest at the tone of voice — even whispered — that echoed in his ears. While everyone else around them acted normally, his eyes, once fixed on his phone, shifted toward Harry, his best friend.

  [Harry – Whispering, Angry & Slightly Trembling] I need to know, Max. If my little sister Victoria or my baby sister Kalin are going to be the next victims of that damn Oculi group. [Deep & Slow Breath] -

  [Max – Whispering, Worried & Understanding] Alright, I'll tell you everything I know so far, Harry... [Deep Sigh] -

  Harry continued facing the city through the window, his arms crossed like a pillow on the desk, the tension evident in the way one of his fists tightened — a sign he was trying hard to control his anger.

  At the same time, Harry faced the helplessness of an imminent danger threatening the people he loved most. First his family, and then his best friend, Max.

  [Max – Whispering, Worried & Understanding] ...Of the five victims, three were our age — 13 years old. The other two were younger: one was a 10-year-old girl, and the other was a little girl only 3 years old. [Heavy, Reflective Sigh] -

  [Max – Whispering, Worried & Understanding] Harry, don't think too much about it right now. I'm sure those innocent victims are still alive somewhere, and... [Light, Slightly Trembling Sigh] -

  [Harry – Whispering, Serious & Empty] "And"? [Deep Breath] -

  Upon revealing this information, Max watched Harry lift his face — previously hidden from his friend. Yet it was clear from the strong tightening of his hands that the news struck him deeply, more than Max ever wanted to see.

  [Harry – Whispering, Serious & Empty] Max, we've been investigating those bastards for three years, and in that time more than five hundred people have been kidnapped in our city, and none of them were ever seen again... [Deep Breath] -

  [Max – Whispering, Worried & Apprehensive] Harry... [Melancholic Sigh] -

  [Harry – Whispering, Serious & Empty] Those two youngest victims could have been my sisters, Max... [Slow, Deep Breath] I feel like those damned Oculi are doing something vile to all these innocent lives. [Slightly Shaky, Angry Breathing] -

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  Harry was filled with rage and at the same time feared for the two younger victims — especially because they were the same ages as his sister Victoria, 10, and his baby sister Kalin, 3.

  Max placed his phone on the desk and, with one hand, gave Harry a light and weak tap on the shoulder, making Harry feel it and turn his face toward him. His expression was clearly distant and empty.

  Taking a deep breath and closing his eyes for a few seconds, Harry remembered vividly the moment he understood the evil carried in the Oculi's voices.

  [Mysterious Oculi From the Past – Cheerful & Pleasurefully Sarcastic Voice] ...You're just a child trying to protect another child with those small, fragile hands of yours... [Subtle Cheerful & Amused Sigh] -

  [Mysterious Oculi From the Past – Cheerful & Pleasurefully Sarcastic Voice] But I can offer you a very generous deal — quite different from our previous one, young Harry. [Subtle Cheerful & Amused Sigh] -

  The echo of the voice of the first Oculi he had ever encountered — almost four years ago — reverberated in his mind. That being not only spoke to him but also made him realize that his family was a possible target.

  [Mysterious Oculi From the Past – Cheerful & Pleasurefully Sarcastic Voice] Young Harry, you're the first human who shows so much confidence in your voice in my presence... [Soft Ironic & Sadistic Laugh] -

  While the creature's completely black eyes stared deep into his own, Harry could see its bizarre teeth emerging from the darkness — a darkness that embodied the fear that made him forget he was in a hospital the entire time. It was the most terrifying and distressing moment he had ever lived.

  [Mysterious Oculi From the Past – Cheerful & Pleasurefully Sarcastic Voice] I can assure you, young Harry, that by refusing my offer... your little sister Victoria... [Light, Pleasureful & Amused Laugh] -

  [Mysterious Oculi From the Past – Cheerful & Pleasurefully Sarcastic Voice] Not today, not tomorrow, but... in a near enough future, she — and the younger sister who will soon be born — will suffer, and suffer, once they are in our hands, young Harry!! [Echoing Ironic & Sadistic Laughter] -

  Harry returned to the present when he opened his eyes again—understanding that, even after doing everything alongside Max, the words of that Oculi were not only a threat but a kind of sentence aimed at the person he loved most: his younger sisters.

  [Harry — Whispering, Serious & Hollow] Max, during these three long years I've seen those damned Oculi draw closer to my family more and more, using their human appearances as if to study not only them but me as well. [Sighs, Slightly Apprehensive] —

  [Harry — Whispering, Serious & Hollow] At first they were around our school, and then at our country house, watching us against the darkness of night. [A Tremulous, Angry Little Sigh] —

  [Max — Whispering, Worried & Sympathetic] Harry... I'm sure that this "idiot Oculi" only said all that to frighten you — some grotesque mental game. [Sighs, Slightly Worried] —

  [Max — Whispering, Worried & Sympathetic] If he really wanted to, he would have taken your little sister Victoria and not left only a warning for you after you refused his deal — to hand Victoria over to them and save your family in return... [Deep Sigh, Slightly Angry] —

  Harry turned quickly as he felt Max's gaze pierce deep into his eyes, trying to appear strong and not frightened by everything that had happened.

  Max, wearing an encouraging smile, tried to bolster Harry's resolve to keep investigating, even in the face of the hopelessness that had settled after a recent traumatic event.

  [Max — Whispering, Confident & Motivating] Harry, you and I are only thirteen. Calm down — these threats may seem increasingly terrifying with their bizarre abilities, but... [Deep Sigh] —

  [Max — Whispering, Confident & Motivating] ...I still believe that together we can protect those we love from these threats; we just need to continue the investigations. [Deep, Confident Sigh] —

  Before Harry, his best friend smiled confidently, gradually bringing Harry's previously lost eyes back to reality and dissipating his vacant expression.

  [Max — Whispering, Confident & Motivating] Forgot that we're an indestructible, relentless duo? [Sighs, Encouraged & Hopeful] —

  [Max — Whispering, Serene & Cheerful] Max... [A Slight, Tremulous & Emotional Breath] —

  A faint, trembling smile began to form on Harry's lips as Max picked up his phone again, keeping a confident, determined expression against the Oculi. Harry then turned his gaze to the window, discreetly wiping away the tears that threatened to fall.

  [Max — Whispering, Serene & Cheerful] Thank you, my great friend... [Deep, Happy Breath] —

  After Max's words of encouragement—urging him to continue the investigations at his side—Harry now wore a smile forming on his lips, casting a hopeful look over the city. His expression was at once more hopeful and more confident.

  [Max — Whispering, Serene & Cheerful] No need to thank me! We'll find a way to fight those damned Oculi, and we'll do it together, understood, Harry? [A Simple, Cheerful & Motivated Laugh] —

  [Harry — Whispering, Serene & Cheerful] Yes, we'll find a way to fight them together, always together... [A Small, Cheerful & Confident Laugh] —

  Still in That Same Classroom

  During the Fourth Class

  Harry is now sitting at his desk, finishing copying into his notebook what the teacher had written on the board. The rest of the students were doing the same, while others were chatting with friends and classmates in a respectful and non-chaotic way, since that teacher was a bit more strict about loud talking.

  In front of the class, the teacher was on his laptop, continuing to grade the exams that had been taken the previous day by the entire 8th grade for his subject.

  Max, who was sitting in the chair next to Harry, asked him if he would be going to the bathroom in the next few minutes, since Max was very behind in copying the lesson from the board. He also asked if Harry could fill his water bottle, which was already empty after he had drunk everything.

  Harry, cheerful yet slightly suspicious, said he would do it, but that Max should give him something in return, since he would have to make a long trip to the water fountain on the first floor.

  Upon hearing that light-hearted blackmail from his best friend, seeing Harry smiling at him with a funny expression, Max immediately decided to join in the joke and the playful bargaining, promising that before going home he would buy something for Harry at the school cafeteria.

  At that moment, Harry stood up with a smile that showed a sense of small victory and genuine happiness about what he would receive from Max, making both of them let out a quiet laugh.

  It was a brief, pleasant moment between them, especially after their serious conversation in the previous class. Max thanked him, grabbed his water bottle from under the desk, and handed it to Harry.

  When Harry took it, he declared that he would pick the most expensive thing at the cafeteria, and before Max could react to that, he saw Harry calling the teacher's attention as he walked toward him.

  Harry told the teacher he really needed to go to the bathroom, while Max simultaneously tried to catch their attention to bargain, saying he didn't have that much money.

  Meanwhile, Harry, amused by his attempts, waved goodbye and headed toward the water fountain with an exaggeratedly playful smile. In that moment, Max's expression shifted to one of genuine joy and contentment.

  Seeing Harry smiling again—after being far too thoughtful earlier—filled him with relief. That silly, playful moment between the two instantly softened the previously heavy, tense atmosphere that had weighed on both of them due to their personal worries and the serious talk they had had before.