After reading that post, sleep eluded me. The tutor had never publicly discussed this direction, so how could Felicity possibly know about it? Even more unsettling was the realization that her proposed experimental steps were alarmingly similar to mine.
I couldn't stop shaking, my mind racing with confusion and fear. Had I really seen a ghost? How did Felicity know about my research direction? Was it possible she had some kind of surveillance implanted in my brain?
Since then, I had stopped conducting experiments at school. With new phones and computers, I made it a point to carry a scanner every day, meticulously scanning everything I brought with me. Yet, despite all my precautions, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was missing something crucial.
Just then, my phone rang—Felicity was calling. "Hey, Quinn! How's your paper coming along? I wanted to share my new research direction with you so we don’t end up in the same area. I’m just a graduate student, and I know I’m not as strong as you, so if we’re on the same path, could you switch to another topic?" Her voice was playful, but I felt a chill run down my spine.