Nina leaned against the far wall of the school's north hallway, hugging her bag tightly against her chest as groups of students passed by.
Her heart was still racing.
Every other conversation she overheard mentioned the "mysterious black pup" someone saw darting around earlier.
One girl even claimed it licked her hand. Another swore it spoke to her.
Nina wanted to scream.
Instead, she exhaled slowly, pretending to be as indifferent as the vending machine beside her.
The bell rang, sharp and loud, jolting her out of her paranoia. Students shuffled back to class, the hall thinning with each passing second.
Finally alone, she shifted her bag and whispered.
"We're going up."
Fenrir gave a muffled whine from inside but didn't resist.
Nina moved fast, ducking past corners and avoiding staff. It wasn't long before she reached the stairwell that led to the rooftop.
She checked for anyone nearby, then slipped through the door and locked it behind her. The rooftop was quiet.
