Before I could get to the woody suburb, I noticed the dark gray bleaching that spread across the sky. Before I could even say “Jack,” a thunderous clap followed, and then came a heavy downpour.

By the time I reached Professor Duncan’s door, I was completely drenched. My teeth chattered and trembled along with my entire body. The cold from the rain bit deep into my bones, and I had the strange feeling that it might snow soon—an instinct that turned out to be right.

I stood out in the cold snow, pressing the doorbell again and again, hoping Professor Duncan would answer. He seemed to have fallen asleep, and I almost believed no one was home. Refusing to give up, I slammed my fists on the door.

“Oh my goose! Darius!” he exclaimed as the door swung open, a sharp beam of flashlight cutting across my face. His brow lifted, and his eyes blinked sleepily from slumber.

I stood there, shivering uncontrollably, dripping water onto the floor.

“Come on, get in!” he urged, motioning me inside. He didn’t even pause to question what a boy my age was doing outside at this cold and ungodly hour.

Once inside, I found my way to his fireplace and huddled close, desperate for warmth.

“I’ll fix you some hot coffee,” he said quickly, already heading for the kitchen. Even if he hadn’t offered, I would have gone for it myself—the cold had swallowed me whole.

He returned soon with a steaming mug and handed it to me while I continued to warm up by the fire. Then he disappeared briefly and came back with a fresh shirt and a blanket.

It was only then that it dawned on him to ask, “What happened, Darius? I’ve been expecting your visit after the last one—but not at this time of night.”

I had anticipated that question, even before arriving. Maybe he had waited until now to ask so as not to burden me right after I came in from the storm.

I stayed silent. I had no enthusiasm to speak, no motivation to believe in life anymore. I brought the cup to my lips for a small sip, though it burned my palms and throat.

Professor Duncan swallowed hard, blinked, and waited anxiously for my reply. He sniffed, realizing that tears had started to roll down my chin. I wanted to speak, but my lips felt too heavy, my head too full of grief.

Finally, I forced the words out. “They killed them,” I said weakly. “I saw it happen.”

My shoulders began to shake as I broke into sobs.

Professor Duncan froze. For a moment, he looked around, half-expecting the killers to still be nearby.

“Who are you talking about, Darius?” he demanded, stepping closer. He grabbed my shoulders, trying to steady my trembling body. “Perk up, Darius, and talk to me. Who are you talking about?”

I sniffed and smacked my lips, struggling to form words. “They were in stretched black limos… well-suited,” I stammered. “Some of them shape-shifted into black wolves with terrifying teeth. They pounced on my parents… and devoured them—there was nothing left.” My voice cracked. “And… they burnt down our house. I barely escaped…”

My wailing interrupted me again, and I couldn’t finish the sentence.

Professor Duncan cupped my cold face in his hands. “Now perk up, Darius,” he said firmly. “Look at me! Did your parents reveal anything to you—anything at all—about these shifters?”

Dad’s voice suddenly echoed in my head:

“Never expose this virus to anyone.”

I hesitated. Though I trusted Professor Duncan with my life, I still owed my father his last wish.

At that moment, obedience was the only form of respect I had left to give.

“Speak up, Darius,” he urged again, shaking my shoulders slightly.

I looked away. “Nothing,” I lied softly, shaking my head. “Nothing.”

He sighed deeply. “Listen, you’re safe here now. Unless you told someone where you were going, no one can trace you here. You can take this as your home. I’m here for you.”

His words came with another firm squeeze on my shoulders, trying to assure me.

I nodded faintly, but my mind was elsewhere—focused on the glass vial hidden inside my school bag.

“Come on, let me show you to your room,” he said at last, leading me by the arm into the inner chamber.

The tragedy still weighed heavily on my heart, but another thought gnawed at me—the strange, rare ability Julius possessed. Everything that boy had ever told me had come to pass.

That night, I could barely close my eyes. I stared endlessly at the green vial—the strange virus that could change everything.