The air outside the police station was heavy with the scent of exhaust fumes and the distant aroma of street food. As Mr. and Mrs. Hugghs stepped out onto the sidewalk, the bright sunlight illuminated the cracked pavement beneath their feet. Mrs Hugghs squinted against the glare, the warmth of the sun contrasting sharply with the chill in her heart.

"What do you think we should do now that we've been set free?" Mrs. Hugghs asked, her voice heavy with bitterness, the taste of freedom still unfamiliar in her mouth.

Her husband turned to her, and the corners of his eyes crinkled in a smile. "Seek revenge," he said, the words hanging in the air like an ominous thundercloud.

As they walked away from the police station, the distant sound of car horns and the chatter of passersby filled the air. Mrs Hugghs couldn't shake the feeling of dread that prickled at the back of her neck. The bitter taste of revenge was like a sourness in her mouth, mingling with her longing for her son, Titus.

"What about the promise we made to our son?" she asked, bitterness lacing her voice. "That can wait, but before then, I must make sure I deal with that Sam of a boy. He's the reason we stayed in jail," he said, his anger palpable in the tense air around them.

Meanwhile, the news of their release has spread around the whole country. The sombre tone of the news anchor's voice resonated through the car, adding an eerie atmosphere to the already unsettling situation. They wondered why the government should release such a man. "How were they even released after all they did to that girl, Janet?" Charles asked, the disbelief evident in his voice, as rain splattered against the windows, creating a disquieting soundtrack to their conversation. Amid the conversation, a sudden feeling of fear grasped Julie, and she shivered as a cold gust of wind seeped through the cracks in the car. She imagined the worst in her head, the scent of wet earth from the rain outside mingling with her racing thoughts, intensifying her unease.

The events at the Hugghs Mansion played in her head. She could still feel the chill of the night air, hear the rustling of leaves in the wind, and see the faint moonlight casting eerie shadows. Has she forgotten so fast that she and Sam were the main reason for their arrest?
"What if they hunt us down?" she thought aloud as she bumped her face into Charles' shoulder. She could smell the faint scent of his cologne, feel the warmth of his presence, and hear the steady rhythm of his breathing.
"Nothing of that sort would happen. I am here with you. I won't fail to protect you even if I die in the process," Charles assured her. His words echoed in her mind, bringing a sense of comfort and security.
Deep down, she couldn't shake off that feeling. It felt as if, from now onwards, her steps were being monitored. She needed to be careful.

Next day
~Sam~
I woke up to the familiar sound of the bell, its cheerful chime cutting through the early morning silence. The anticipation of the upcoming examination filled the air, and I could sense the nervous energy as soon as I stepped out of bed. My roommates had already donned their uniforms, and the scent of freshly opened books lingered in the room. The crisp smell of paper and ink intermingled with the faint aroma of morning dew from the open window, creating a unique atmosphere charged with determination.

As I hastily prepared myself, the muted rustle of pages turning and the soft scratch of pens against paper surrounded me. The class seemed imbued with an aura of concentration, each detail amplified by the impending challenge. I could almost taste the anxiety mingling with the morning air, raising my determination to match the level of my peers.

In the classroom, the hushed murmur of students engrossed in their pursuits filled the space. The occasional tap of a pencil against a tabletop and the steady crinkle of pages being turned became the soundtrack of our collective focus. I surveyed the room, absorbing every detail to steel myself for the impending challenge.

The moment the examination papers were said to have arrived, the atmosphere shifted palpably. The sound of shuffling feet and the metallic click of chairs being adjusted reverberated in the room as we prepared to move to the examination hall. Despite my growing apprehension, I took a deep breath and silently hoped for the best.

After writing the first paper, I could feel the warmth of the sun beating down on me. As I cleaned the sweat trickling down my face, I could sense the cool air from the classroom providing some relief. That's when Linda approached me, her laughter echoing in the hallway. Her voice had a mockingly sharp edge as she taunted, "Sam, what's the problem? Was that simple exam hard for you?"

I felt a mix of embarrassment and frustration, and I didn't know how to respond to her. I simply continued wiping the sweat from my brow. As I prepared for the second paper, the scent of freshly sharpened pencils and the rustle of papers filled the room, creating an atmosphere of focused energy.

Amidst this, I noticed Julius' intense gaze on Dominion, and I could almost feel the tension crackling in the air between them. Their rivalry was palpable. As I filled in my answers, the sound of pens scratching against paper filled the room, intermingled with the occasional soft chuckle or sigh.

Overall, despite the pressure of the exams, the atmosphere had strange electricity to it, and I couldn't help but smile as I observed the subtle dynamics playing out around me.