For centuries, the human race has dominated the Earth's other inhabitants, at times, even itself.
Their superior intellectual abilities allowed them to adapt to their environment, though being physically outmatched by several creatures.
Now, in this modern age almost all beasts can be dealt with by the pull of a trigger.
If not one, then two. If not two, then as many as it takes. If a gun doesn't solve it then, then a bomb will.
From there we escalated to weapons that burned suns into existence.
Thermonuclear warheads.
Though at this point beasts would be the least of our worries and we would be more likely to use them against ourselves.
But what if... all of this were to be taken away?
No guns. No bombs. No machines to compensate for our fragility.
Just flesh, instinct, and an unforgiving world.
"For man to become beast."
"For the hunter... to become the hunted."
...
I panted non-stop for a while, entering the classroom with a slight clarity, though despite not seeing my face I knew I felt terrified at the moment.
"Padi, what's wrong?!"
Ben swooped in concerned as he questioned me, observing my distraught expression.
I waved him off, patting his shoulder for reassurance.
"Haaaa... Haaa... I'll be fine... "
I managed to say between breaths.
"They're coming. Fast. Hurry! Use the desks to block the door!"
The chilling image of that monster magnified my sense of urgency, as I hurriedly struggled to push a desk to the door. I felt my body still tremble from the internal shock.
"Got it. What did you see down there that shook you up so bad?"
He questioned, while assisting me in blockading the door.
"Goblins Ben. And those green bastards have weapons! Give me the mop!"
A metal mop flies in mid-air towards me as I barely manage to catch it.
"It's hollow Padi."
"Of course it is. Give yours a good swing."
Ben grabs his mop, now a staff after he unscrews the mop head and gives it a test swing. His arms grasp the rod as he swings it through the air with fair ease.
I on the other hand, struggle a bit more as I have neither his height nor his strength. I give it another go with a bit more effort but I still struggle to move it around as easily as him.
"Nah man. This ain't going to cut it."
Holding the metal rod with one hand, I stomp on the middle as hardly as I can, managing to bend it considerably. Eventually I break it into two pieces and pick the longer one of the two.
"Much better."
I look a little satisfied with my new weapon as I can easily swing it with one hand, and as I attempt to use two hands to swing, it whipped through the air with much stronger force.
HELLLP!!!! HHELLP!!!! EIIIIIEIEIEIKKK!!!
The shrills and screams sound closer and closer, warning us of the eminent danger we were about to face.
Ben's expression turned far more serious as the pleas and dying screeches approached us.
Some of the classmates were slightly prepared, gathering anything they could that could be used as a weapon and helping with the barricade. Others were still panicking, trying to call 911 and crying but nothing was working.
My heart thumped in my chest, as I waited to see if that monstrosity would really come. Part of me didn't want it to.
Part of me hoped this was just some crazy prank the universe was playing on me.
Before I could sort out my thoughts, a sinister cackle emanated from around the corner.
'It's here.' I thought.
My grip tightened on the rod as I narrowed my gaze, staring at the window awaiting our perilous foe.
Then it came, blood spilled all over its body yet you could still see its distinct sickly green skin. Sharp razor-like teeth with bits of flesh and entrails still stuck in between. Red beady eyes that seemed to lust for blood.
Scanning the room, it locked eyes with mine and showed a crazed grin, licking its blood-soaked short sword in delight at finding its prey once more.
Ben slightly retched at the sight, struggling to keep his balance. Some others didn't fare so well, some even vomiting and fainting at the grotesque creature.
"Everyone get it together!"
I raise my voice in an attempt to stabilize the situation, my own voice faltering.
"We should be safe inside for now. But keeping ourselves locked in won't be a permanent solution. More are already on their way."
I glance at the goblin once more, feeling that invisible pressure that makes me waver despite the distance between us. That murderous air that almost makes me wheeze when I lock eyes with it.
"So that's killing intent huh?"
I nod affirmatively to Ben's statement, taking a deep breath to calm myself down.
My ears pick up the rather shrill scraping of the door we barricaded and the window grilles, accompanied by the snarling and chittering of the fellow rascals outside.
"Everyone focus!"
I yell, raising my hands to try and gain everyone's attention.
"We are safe for now but hiding won't solve this."
I swallowed and continued.
"Some of us know how these things work from stories, books or even games. That knowledge matters now.
Ben and I share a glance as discreetly peer into a rather isolated corner of the room to a rather lonely figure.
"I have a plan that will allow us to steadily clear the hallway of goblins, so I ask for the class's cooperation so that we can enact this efficiently."
'Of course, there will be some risks. Perhaps, if unlucky, a few losses. But telling them all this now will only decrease morale and cause chaos, further increasing the chance of failure.'
"It'll be simple. One of us opens the door to allow a goblin to enter and then the rest of us ready our weapons and bludgeon it to death. Once we are comfortable with the flow we can attempt, perhaps, two goblins to speed up the clearing. Any more at a time would be too risky."
I wait and give them time to process my proposal. Most of them start agreeing, nodding their heads in acceptance at the sensible method.
A small voice echoes through the room, sounding quite timid. "Th.. that sounds logical."
I smile faintly. "Thank you Michael". If you have ideas please share them."
Michael, with a small build and circle-rimmed glasses shrank further, merely nodding in acknowledgement.
I let out a small sigh of relief.
Then a deep mocking voice cut through the room.
"What makes you think you can boss us around, huh dweeb?"
I grip my makeshift weapon tighter as i turn to the speaker.
"Listen, I don't want to command anyone. But unless you have a better plan that doesn't get us all killed, this is what we're doing.
The goblins scratched and snarled at the door.
Time was slipping away.
Whether I wanted it or not, I had become the one in charge.