The blue glow of the system interface lingered in Bayu’s retina even as he squeezed his eyes shut, trying to force his racing heart to slow down. The silence of the house was oppressive, broken only by the rhythmic ticking of the wall clock in the kitchen.His throat felt like it had been scrubbed with sandpaper."Okay, breathe, Bayu," he whispered, his voice cracking. "Just a glass of water. That’s it."He swung his legs out of bed, his joints feeling stiff, like rusted hinges that hadn’t been oiled in decades. As he stood, a sudden, sharp wave of dizziness hit him, making the room tilt. He gripped the doorframe, his knuckles white."Whoa, steady," he muttered, shaking his head. "One step at a time."He stumbled into the hallway, his footsteps sounding unnaturally heavy against the floorboards. Every sensation was amplified—the coolness of the floor against his soles, the sharp draft from the air conditioner, the faint scent of stale humidity clinging to his clothes from the jungle.

The locker room smelled of stale sweat and disinfectant, a combination that usually didn't bother Bayu. Today, however, it felt like an assault. Every intake of breath was filtered through the growing, gnawing void in his chest. Aisyah’s words echoed against the metal lockers, ringing with a certainty that made his skin crawl."Hey, wait up!"Bayu didn't turn. He shoved his belongings into his backpack, his fingers moving with a fluidity that felt entirely foreign. He needed to get out. If Aisyah knew, who else did? His mind raced, cataloging the faces of every student who had stared at him on the track."Bayu, don't walk away from me. You aren't going to make it through the hall like that. You’re literally shivering."He spun around, forcing a laugh that sounded more like a dry rattle. "Seriously, Aisyah? What are you doing? I’m late for class."Aisyah stood by the row of benches, her expression unreadable. She wasn't playing games. She pulled her phone from her pocket and swiped a f

The school courtyard was sweltering, the late afternoon sun beating down on the cracked pavement with a relentless intensity that made the air shimmer. Bayu stood near the bike shed, his skin feeling like a dry, thirsty sponge. Every instinct screamed at him to find a fountain, a tap, even a stray puddle, but his eyes were locked on the scene unfolding near the gymnasium entrance.Rama, his best friend, was pinned against the brick wall. Standing over him was Dika, the school’s notorious bully, whose reputation for cruelty was only matched by his size. Dika had a fistful of Rama’s collar, his face twisted in a sneer."I’m getting really tired of your excuses, Rama," Dika said, his voice a low, threatening growl. "I told you to have my notes ready by lunch. What part of that was confusing?"Rama’s face was pale, his eyes darting toward the other students who were quickly clearing the area. "I—I’m sorry, Dika. I had an extra class. I couldn't get to the library.""An extra class?" Dika

The air in the clinic was heavy, smelling of sterile ozone and a layer of dust that seemed to have settled decades ago. Bayu sat on the examination stool, his pulse thrumming in his ears like the beating of a distant, underwater drum. Dr. Aris moved with a slow, deliberate grace, his hands hovering over a stack of antiquated medical equipment."You’re quiet, boy," Dr. Aris said, not turning around. "Most people are terrified when they walk into this office. You? You look like you’re waiting for an execution."Bayu kept his eyes locked on the vials of glowing azure liquid on the desk. "I’m not looking to die, Doc. I’m looking for a way to pass a school physical without the nurse calling the government on me."Dr. Aris chuckled, the sound like dry leaves skittering across pavement. He finally turned, his thick spectacles sliding down his nose. "Passing a physical is easy. Fooling a modern biometric scan when your marrow is practically humming with aquatic kinetic energy? That’s a differ

The city air felt heavy and stagnant, lacking the crisp, clean energy Bayu had become accustomed to sensing. Without the system’s interface, the streetlights seemed dimmer, the sounds of distant traffic less rhythmic, and the shadows far more menacing. Aisyah trailed him like a ghost, her footsteps barely audible on the cracked pavement."You’re walking too fast," Aisyah remarked, her voice cutting through the silence. "If you try to outrun them, you’ll just lead them right to a dead end."Bayu slowed, his shoulders tensing. "I’m not running. I’m just trying to get out of the dark parts of the city. We’re almost to the main road.""The main road is an open stage for an ambush, you idiot," she countered, stepping up beside him. "Keep your eyes on the alley mouths. These guys don't play by the rules.""These guys? You mean the harvesters?""I mean thugs," she said, her voice dropping. "People who smell weakness. And right now, you smell like a boy who’s lost his way."Bayu stopped near