Deviant: No Longer Human

Wang Xiao's book lay open, but his attention was only half on the words in front of him. His other half was attuned to the surroundings, a skill honed through years of vigilance. "Are you sure we are surrounded by more people like Adam?" he inquired quietly, his voice steady as his gaze casually drifted over to the other table.

Yin Yue's response came promptly, [100% sure.]

Wang Xiao nodded slightly, his eyes scanning the cafe with practiced subtlety. Outside the glass walls, two sports cars were parked conspicuously—one, a convertible Audi in a striking red hue, the other an unfamiliar brand that caught his attention.

Only three tables within the cafe were occupied: his own, where he maintained a solitary presence; the table with the group of four women, their chatter providing a lively backdrop; and a table that had been occupied by a married couple, who had just gathered their belongings and left.

He needed to ascertain if the 'Deviants' outside were spying on him or perhaps on another target within the cafe. Patience was key, and so Wang Xiao waited, his demeanor calm and collected.

As time ticked by, the cafe's atmosphere shifted. Fifteen minutes later, with the couple gone, a silence began to settle. Now, only Wang Xiao and the group of women remained. The moment of truth was drawing near. Who were the mysterious outsiders watching, and what were their intentions?

Wang Xiao prepared himself for what might come next, ready to act, ready to confront whatever or whoever was about to reveal themselves. The pages of his book fluttered gently as a breeze from the cafe's door whispered through, a subtle reminder that the stillness was temporary and that soon, the quiet might give way to action.

_______

The chatter at the women's table was a blend of light-hearted banter and deeper, more serious undertones. Josephine's imminent departure was the main thread weaving through their conversation.

"So, Josephine," Aisha began, her voice tinged with concern, "you're really going to do this? Just pick up and start fresh?"

Josephine nodded, her eyes reflecting the firm resolve behind her decision. "It's time for a new chapter," she affirmed. "I can't keep waiting for life to happen to me. I have to make it happen for myself."

A third woman, with chestnut hair and keen brown eyes, leaned in. Her name was Elise, and she was known for her practical nature. "You've planned this out, right? You know it's not just an adventure—it's real life you're stepping into."

Beside Elise was the fourth member of their group, Maya, whose bohemian style was as free-spirited as her personality. "Elise is right, but I think it's brave," Maya interjected, offering Josephine an encouraging smile. "Sometimes you have to leap and build your wings on the way down."

Aisha's concern was growing as she voiced her fears, her emerald eyes reflecting the seriousness of her thoughts. "I just worry, you know? You hear stories about people trying to start over, and it's not always..."

Josephine, her gaze distant, responded with a note of firm resolve. "I'm aware of the risks. But staying put, trapped within the castle walls, denied my own experiences – that's a fate I refuse to accept. I've been sheltered and restricted for far too long."

Aisha's brow furrowed with concern, her voice a soft murmur. "There might be other reasons behind that..." But her words were quickly overshadowed by Elise's more assertive tone.

Elise, her chestnut hair framing her sharp features, leaned forward, her brown eyes gleaming with a provocative challenge. "C'mon, Aisha. Let Josephine discover the world for herself. Or would you rather she remained forever under her mother's shadow, unseen and untested?"

Aisha's frown deepened. "Elise, that's not fair—"

Before she could continue, Maya interjected with a scholarly poise that belied her free-spirited nature. "Elise has a point. Growth necessitates stepping beyond the familiar. It's part of life's journey."

Aisha, caught off guard by the tag-team of Elise and Maya, turned to Josephine with a helpless expression. "Don't listen to them, Josephine. They're just stirring the pot," she murmured, her voice laced with frustration.

If only Aisha had known how her dormmates would fan the flames of Josephine's resolve, she might have reconsidered introducing them. Now, she could only watch as Josephine absorbed their words, her decision seemingly solidified by the challenge they presented.

Aisha's history with Josephine was rooted in their time together during the exchange program in Sylvergard. They had formed a bond then, one that had persisted through messages and calls across the distance that separated them.

When Josephine's text arrived days ago, confessing plans to run away, Aisha had dismissed it as a fleeting thought, a joke perhaps. But the reality hit when Josephine's voice came through the phone, asking to meet at the cafe. That was when Aisha realized the seriousness of the situation.

She hadn't hesitated, driving from Geysirton City to Grayhaven, only to find herself in a whirlwind of chaos, partly due to her dormmates' unhelpful contributions. Elise's and Maya's goading had only worsened the situation, encouraging Josephine's rebellious streak.

'This naive one... Did she really take their words to heart?' Aisha's worry deepened as she watched Josephine, her decision-making influenced by the provocative banter.

Then, with a sudden resolve, Josephine snatched up the car keys and stood. "It's decided! I have to first look for a place to stay!" She turned to Aisha with a determined look. "Aisha, come and help me choose a house to rent!"

Without waiting for a response, Josephine marched towards the door. Aisha scrambled to her feet. "Josephine, can you even drive?" she called out, her voice tinged with concern.

From their seats, Elise and Maya exchanged knowing glances, their crafty smiles revealing a shared sense of mischief. They had sown the seeds of rebellion, and now they watched, almost with a sense of pride, as Josephine took her first steps into the unknown.

Aisha cast a disappointed look back at her dormmates whose expressions said it all—they had anticipated this, and the unfolding drama was precisely what they had hoped for.