Adam left the classroom. He went directly to the locker room.
He moved with a sense of purpose a quiet intensity that was new to him.
He quickly changed out of his school uniform and into his gym clothes. They were simple and nondescript.
A grey t-shirt and black shorts.
From his locker he took out a plain black cap he had kept there for a long time. It was old and faded. Dressed in his workout gear he crept out of the locker room. He peered down the long hallway from around a corner.
He saw Philips. He was going from classroom to classroom.
He was methodically checking each one.
His movements were hurried and anxious. Adam understood immediately.
He and James were already searching for him. The hunt had begun earlier this time. His deviation from the script walking out of James's office so abruptly had made them nervous.
He spotted a stairwell a short distance away. Keeping an eye on Philips Adam waited.
He was a predator watching his prey. The moment his class monitor slid open a classroom door and stepped inside Adam darted from his hiding spot. He ran to the stairs.
His movements were swift and silent. His new agility made him almost weightless. He descended rapidly to the ground floor. He took the steps two at a time.
From the corner of the stairwell he peeked into the main ground-floor corridor.
It was empty.
The school was quiet now a hollow shell. Keeping his head down so the cap hid his face he moved quickly.
He went to the shoe locker area near the school's entrance.
Students exchanged their indoor shoes for outdoor ones there. It was a common practice in Japanese schools. The rows of small wooden lockers were a familiar sight.
He saw Sofia there. She was changing her shoes.
Her movements were slow and defeated as if she was carrying a great weight. A small smile touched Adam's lips. It was a smile of satisfaction not of happiness.
"Finally," he said just loud enough for her to hear. "I found you."
Sofia turned. She was startled to see him talking to her.
Her eyes were red and puffy. As she watched Adam rapidly changed his own shoes. He moved with an efficiency that was surprising.
"You were looking for me?" she asked. Her voice was laced with confusion and a hint of fear.
Adam didn't answer. The moment his outdoor shoes were on he grabbed her hand. His grip was firm but not painful. He pulled her with him. Not towards the main gate but to the side away from the open area.
"What are you doing?" Sofia cried out. She tried to pull her hand free. "Let go of me!!!Where are you taking me?"
Adam ignored her protests. He continued to pull her along.
He moved quickly alongside the main school building's outer wall.
The rough brick scratched against his arm.
He navigated them across the school grounds to the low perimeter wall. It separated the school from the main road. He stopped there and turned to look at her.
Sofia was terrified.
A thousand fearful thoughts raced through her mind.
Had those bullies involved Adam in their scheme? Was this part of their plan to humiliate her further? But from what she knew of him she couldn't believe he would be that kind of person. He was always quiet and kept to himself.
Tears welled in her eyes again. She felt completely helpless. "Please," she whispered her voice weak. "Let me go."
Adam was surprised by her reaction. He saw the genuine terror in her eyes.
"I don't know what you're thinking," he said his voice firm. He needed her to trust him. "But whatever it is, you're wrong. I'm here to help you."
He pulled her forward gesturing towards the wall. "Climb."
Sofia stared at him bewildered. She didn't understand why he wanted to scale the wall. Why couldn't they just walk out the main gate like normal people?
"Hurry up," Adam said again.
His voice was now laced with an impatient angry edge.
He knew they didn't have much time. Every second they wasted increased their chances of being seen. "I don't have time for this."
Hearing the annoyance in his tone Sofia flinched. She had been conditioned to obey to avoid conflict.
She nodded quickly turned and scrambled over the wall. Her gym skirt snagged on the top but she pulled it free and landed awkwardly on the other side.
Adam watched her go. Then with a powerful push from his legs he vaulted over the wall without even using his hands. He landed gracefully beside her like a cat.
Sofia who was still trying to compose herself stumbled back in surprise at his sudden appearance. His athletic display was shocking. She had never seen him do anything like that in gym class.
Adam ignored her. He looked both ways down the road. Then he pulled a small folded piece of paper from his pocket.
On it he had drawn a rough map of the area around the school.
He had made it in a previous loop after he had died for the third time. He had marked the last known positions of the police car and the thugs' van with a black pen.
The map was a product of his deaths a guide to survival. He glanced at the map then back at Sofia.
"Come with me," he said.
Sofia was in a state of shock and fear. She was in a position where she would do whatever anyone told her to do. Her own will had been eroded by the bullies. She simply nodded.
Adam took her hand again and began to lead her down the street. He kept his head on a swivel.
He was constantly scanning their surroundings checking alleys and parked cars. He was checking if they were being followed.
Seeing his cautious almost paranoid behavior Sofia became certain. He was kidnapping her. A wave of shame and regret washed over her.
This was her fault. She was so weak. You're so cowardly she thought cursing her own weakness.
After walking for some time they reached a park.
The sun was beginning to set casting long shadows across the grass. Adam surveyed the area. He led her inside.
"Come on," he said. He guided her to a secluded bench under a large tree. He knew this part of the park well.
He had chosen it for a reason. It had a clear view of the entrances but was hidden from the main path. It was a good place to talk. A safe place for now.