15: YELLOW

It happens so fast that for about three beats, no one moves a muscle, no one reacts; we all just stay frozen, immobile, watching William Ravenstone crumpled on the floor, unmoving.

And then Akio rushes forward.

Reality, confusion and panic slams into me at the same time. I’d seen the cut on his cheek healing. Is the blade poisoned? Why then haven’t I dropped too? I take a step forward towards him, suddenly feeling all of my energy drain out. But my vision doesn’t swim. The world doesn’t tilt. My legs don’t give out under me.

Akio is on both knees, holding a finger under William’s nose. He quickly looks to Sensei, a little bit of relief in his voice. “Sore wa kare no byōkidesu.”

Gojo Sensei nods, his face serious.

“What’s going on?” I step forward again. It seems like my legs are too frozen to move at the pace I want them to. “What’s wrong with him?” My voice is rough, panicked. The dagger drops from my hand. “Akio, what the fuck is going on?”

The rest of the class is deadly quiet.

“He