Julie followed Mr. Bramble down the corridors that were glowing with red flashes. She looked around at the people who all seemed to be in a rush as they went about their business.
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"What's a level 3 emergency?!" Julie called as she followed close to Mr. Bramble.
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Mr. Bramble looked back at her as he walked. "Emergencies are categorized from level 4 to level 1," he said. "Level 4 being very minor danger, to level 1 being world-ending destruction."
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Julie almost held her breath as she listened, finding it hard to picture world-ending destruction. What would such a gruesome scene look like?
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"So then what's level 3?" Julie asked.
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Mr. Bramble looked forward. "It's pretty much our definition of a mass casualty event," he said, his voice serious. "An incident involving multiple deaths."
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Julie said no more words, asked no more questions as she followed Mr. Bramble into the main hall, where she saw multiple people all crowded together. Some were on computers, speaking into headsets as they sat behind desks, while others stood side by side, whispering to one another.
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Julie looked at these individuals and guessed that it was these men and women who were the warriors, the VoinGarde.
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Julie made sure to stay close to Mr. Bramble as they both stood within the crowds of people. She looked around, searching for any sign of Tora, but no matter where she looked, she could find no trace of the white-haired boy.
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"Attention!" A loud voice echoed through the room.
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Julie looked forward along with the many eyes that belonged to the crowd. There, in the center of the room, stood Mr. C and Tora, his arms crossed, looking more serious than Julie had seen before.
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Mr. C stepped forward, addressing the room. "Ladies and gentlemen, we have a level 3 emergency on our hands. A mass casualty event has occurred on Harrow Street. Reports indicate multiple deaths and severe injuries caused by a rogue Fae."
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The room filled with murmurs of concern and determination. Mr. C raised his hand for silence. "We need all hands on deck for this operation. The rogue Fae must be contained and eliminated. Our countermeasures will include establishing a perimeter around Harrow Street and deploying containment teams to neutralize the threat."
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Julie noticed Tora's eyes darken upon hearing this. His usual calm demeanor was replaced by a fierce intensity.
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"Our primary goal is to prevent further loss of life," Mr. C continued. "Everyone will be assigned specific roles. VoinGarde warriors, you know your tasks. Support teams, ensure communication lines are clear and provide any necessary assistance. We move out in ten minutes."
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As the room buzzed with activity, people began to organize and prepare for the mission. Julie watched as the VoinGarde warriors suited up, their faces set with grim determination.
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Julie spotted Tora, his expression dark and unreadable. She made her way through the crowd to reach him.
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"Tora!" she called out.
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He turned to face her, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Julie, you should stay here. This isn't safe for you."
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"I can't just sit here and do nothing," Julie said, determination in her voice.
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"I need to save Trevor."
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Tora stopped walking and looked back at Julie. "You're still saying that?" he asked.
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"Yes, I'm not giving up on him," Julie insisted, her voice firm. "He's my friend, and I know he can be saved."
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Tora's expression hardened. "Julie, you don't understand. It's because of me that Trevor got away and was able to take so many lives. I hesitated. I can't afford to make that mistake again."
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"You hesitated because you care," Julie argued. "Why are you so ready to give up on him? Trevor is an innocent life!"
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Tora stopped and turned to face her, his eyes sad. "Because the one called Trevor is already dead."
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Julie's breath caught in her throat. "What do you mean?" she asked, her voice trembling.
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"The Fae that took Trevor has consumed him," Tora said quietly. "What you see now is just a shell controlled by that creature. There's nothing left of the person you knew."
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"That's not true!" Julie protested. "There has to be a way to bring him back!"
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Tora shook his head. "I wish there were. But the truth is, we're dealing with something far beyond our control. If we don't stop it now, more innocent lives will be lost."
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Julie felt tears welling up in her eyes. "I can't just give up on him, Tora. There has to be something we can do."
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Tora's expression softened as he placed a hand on Julie's shoulder. "I'm sorry, Julie. I know this is hard, but sometimes we have to make the toughest choices to protect others."
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Julie looked into Tora's eyes, seeing the pain and regret in them.
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"I'm coming with you," Julie said.
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Tora looked at her and slowly shook his head. "No, Julie, it's too dangerous. You should stay here and get fully registered."
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"I'm coming with you," Julie repeated, walking closer to Tora.
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"Sorry, it's against the rules," he said, turning his head away from Julie's face that was now just a few inches away from his own.
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"Funny, I didn't think you were the kind of person that followed rules," Julie said with a sly stare.
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Tora looked down at her, momentarily astonished, before a small smile appeared on his lips. "You assume right," he said with pride. "Okay, you can come along, but don't get in my way." He turned and started walking toward the exit.
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Just then, Cerilla appeared in front of Tora in a flash of speed, yelling, "Wait up, fire chucker! You owe me a fight!"
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Tora sighed, clearly annoyed. "Can't you see there are more pressing matters that need to be handled?"
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Cerilla, angry and defiant, crossed her arms. "I'm not leaving your side until you fulfill your promise to fight me. So, I'm coming along as well."
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Tora groaned in frustration but nodded. "Fine, but don't get in my way either."
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"Get in your way? You're the one that will get in my way!" Cerilla yelled.
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"Uh huh," Tora replied nonchalantly, not breaking his stride.
***
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