Crossing Fates

Chapter 15: Under Pressure

The sun was beginning to set as Pond, Phuwin, Joong, Dunk, Supa, and Nawin gathered once again in the lounge, their makeshift headquarters. The previous encounter with the mysterious figures had left the group restless, and despite their determination, they were running out of leads. There was a palpable tension in the air, a heavy weight of anticipation that hung between them as they discussed their next steps.

"We can't keep letting them slip through our fingers," Joong said, pacing back and forth. He was clearly frustrated, his usual carefree demeanor replaced by a tense focus. "We need to find a way to anticipate their next move."

Supa nodded, her arms crossed over her chest. "We need to think like them. Figure out what they want and where they'll go next."

Pond leaned forward, elbows on his knees. "Non's been monitoring the security footage, but so far, it's been quiet. No more sightings." He glanced at the group, his gaze settling on Phuwin. "But I think there's something we're missing. Something we haven't thought of yet."

Phuwin's eyes met Pond's, and he gave a small nod. "Maybe it's not just about where they'll be," Phuwin said thoughtfully. "Maybe it's about when."

Dunk raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

Phuwin turned his gaze to the rest of the group. "Think about it. Every time we've seen them or tried to approach them, it's been at a certain time of day—late at night, or when most people aren't around. They're operating on a schedule, and if we can figure that out, we might be able to stay one step ahead of them."

A flicker of understanding crossed Joong's face. "You're saying we should figure out their timing—predict when they'll show up next."

Phuwin nodded. "Exactly. If we know when they're most likely to act, we can be ready for them."

Dunk rubbed his chin, his expression thoughtful. "That makes sense. They seem to be avoiding crowds, and they always appear when they think no one will notice. If we track when they show up, maybe we can find a pattern."

"It's worth a shot," Pond said, determination lighting up his eyes. "Let's start tonight. We'll keep watch at the spots they've been seen before and note any activity. If we can get a handle on their schedule, we might finally be able to catch them."

The Waiting Game

Later that night, the group split up into pairs, each of them taking a different spot on campus that had been a hotspot for the mysterious figures. Pond and Phuwin took the art building, Joong and Dunk headed to the library, and Supa and Nawin staked out near the student union.

Pond and Phuwin sat in the shadows near the art building, the quiet of the night wrapping around them like a blanket. The campus was almost eerily still, the only sounds the rustling of leaves and the distant hum of traffic. Pond glanced at Phuwin, who was focused on the darkened windows of the building.

"You know," Pond said, his voice low, "I never imagined we'd end up doing something like this. Sneaking around campus in the middle of the night, trying to catch shadowy figures."

Phuwin smiled, his gaze still on the building. "It's definitely not what I expected when I started university. But..." He turned to look at Pond, his expression softening. "I'm glad I'm doing it with you."

Pond's heart skipped a beat, warmth flooding through him. He reached over, taking Phuwin's hand in his, their fingers intertwining. "Me too," he said quietly. "No matter how crazy this gets, I know we'll figure it out. Together."

Phuwin squeezed Pond's hand gently, and they sat in comfortable silence, their focus returning to the building as they waited for any sign of movement.

The Unexpected Discovery