Chapter 2
With the class thrown into a panicking and disorganized state, I began to feel disappointed as I watched 6 idiots rush out of the class screaming, "Our parents must be in serious trouble!"
Just as others were about to follow suit, Isaac — being the perfect class prefect everyone knew and looked up to — spoke up in a bold, commanding tone, wearing an expression that made the situation look like a joke. "Now, based on what's happening, I am sure that the government is having a hard time controlling the situation outside, so it would be wise to stay in the class in order to avoid being trampled to death."
I must say, after hearing all that, the little versions of me in my head started dancing with joy — for this guy truly knew what he was doing. Outside the class, I could hear the cracking sound of the holy rod as it made contact with the skin of some students, showing clearly that the teachers were having a hard time controlling the panicking crowd. It was only a matter of time before things went completely out of control.
"So what should we do now?" Christian — the guy with the largest brain and Isaac's rival — asked while adjusting his glasses like he was some kind of protagonist.
"The best course of action right now is to barricade the class, regardless of whether what we just heard is true or not. Christian, Felix, Shadrack — I want you guys to rush to the tools room and grab some ropes and anything that can be used as a weapon. ASAP."
Man, did this guy give a lot of orders. But long story short, he had some of the guys grab tools while some girls — despite their annoying excuses — were told to go to the school cafeteria and grab some food.
(Finally, peace has returned) I thought, as only 7 people remained in the class. Feeling bored, I got up from my seat and continued to observe the chaotic city below. Before I knew it, 25 minutes had passed.
"Hmm, interesting," I muttered, watching a flood of students rush out of the school in cars — exactly like something out of Fast and Furious. Then I overheard Shadrack mention that the school was almost deserted. Hearing this, I wasted no time and dashed out of the classroom like a cat smelling sardines. After fulfilling my goal — grabbing a first aid kit from the second floor — I returned drenched in sweat, frantically grabbed the rope, surprising Shadrack, and closed the door shut, tying the knob to a stiff item in the room just like I had seen done in the movie Home Alone.
"I thought you were ditching us for a sec there, bro," Charles said, giving me a heavy pat on the back despite seeing my exhausted face.
"You're an annoyance," I said, trying to make him back away. But to my utmost surprise, he smiled and leaned in closer than any human being had any right to, and said,
"Okay, but I'll be keeping an eye on you, sweetheart."
I stood there frozen for a full three seconds, my brain trying to process what had just been said to me. Of all the things I expected to hear during an apocalypse, that was not one of them. I slowly turned back to face the window, my expression completely blank, and made a silent vow to never speak to Charles again for the rest of my natural life — however short that may now be.
The atmosphere of the room gradually became intense as the appointed 30 minutes drew close to an end, and I didn't like it one bit — such tension always made me feel like I had done something unforgivable. Just as I began to approach my desk, the school's alarm began to sound, signaling the arrival of noon. But to everyone's shock, nothing happened. After standing around for a full minute, they all began to relax and lose the sense of urgency they had felt just moments ago.
(Something's not right) I thought, staring at the PA system and the classroom wall clock as I sensed something was amiss. But just as I was about to figure out the problem, that idiot Shadrack interrupted by saying, "See guys, I told you all that it was nothing but a hoax and you took it so seriously — bunch of idiots."
"Yeah, I guess you were right," Lucy said nonchalantly, waving her hand as if trying to stop his words from reaching her ears.
Seeing Shadrack grin, I couldn't help but feel disgusted. As he kept flashing that smug look, Francis — eyes wide — suddenly shouted, "Guys, the school clock is actually a minute behind!"
Hearing this, everybody in the class, as if suddenly remembering they had watches, instinctively checked their wrists. The room fell instantly silent as they saw that the actual time was 12:29, with only 10 seconds remaining.
"Ah, shit," Charles muttered with a nervous smile on his face as the grin on Shadrack's face was replaced with a look of terror and disbelief. "It can't be — this has got to be fake," he shouted.
(When is he going to shut up) I thought.
Then the moment the clock struck 12:30, a loud scream tore through the silent halls and partially empty classrooms, reaching the ears of everyone in the class.
"What was that scream?" Samuel said, shaking as she rushed and hid behind Shadrack's back.
Before anyone could wrap their heads around what was going on, someone began to frantically knock on the door, shouting, "Please help, there is a—" But before she could finish her words, she let out a loud, agonizing scream, accompanied by the sickening sound of ripping flesh.
I glared at the door, slightly shaken, as blood began to seep in from the other side. Not long after, a scream — hoarse, dry and low, almost animalistic — came from the other side, persisting for a few seconds before fading into the distance.
"What was tha — that?" Christabel muttered in a hushed, trembling tone.
"What the hell!" Kingsley added, while some unsurprisingly dumb students kept banging on the windows like madmen.
At that moment, to be honest, I felt a strange form of excitement — no, more like a thrilling sensation — as I thought about how the world's entire political structure and everything built upon it would now be crumbling to nothing. With a low but drawn out chuckle, barely able to keep myself together, I muttered the words:
"The apocalypse has begun."