S H A T T E R

Chapter III Them

Sorry for the wait...

***Scenes Of extreme violence may be mentioned. Read at your discretion***

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When the announcements came on, I wasn't paying attention, I was looking out the window, gazing out into space. Then from the corner of my eye I saw a crowd of people coming towards the school. When I looked closer, I saw that it was two groups; one running with all their might, and the other slowly gaining. Before I knew it, the entire class was looking out the window. Mrs. Evans, the teacher, was trying very hard to get the class to get into their seats. Murmurs of 'What's going on?', or 'What's happening?' coursed throughout the class. "Students," said the Principal from the intercom, "Please refrain from looking out the window and pay attention to your teachers." She paused, we could hear loud banging through the speakers, she said something we couldn't understand. "Once again, Students...Mr. Coul, what are you...Mr. Coul-" The announcements cut off abruptly. The class exploded with chatter, I ignored them and looked out the window. My eyes widened and I gasped in shock. The world outside was ruled by chaos and carnage. People were running frantically while the others were attacking them in groups, blood flowed into the streets, and then I watched as they sunk their teeth into screaming victims. The blood sprayed out as he kicked and struggled to get free, but all it did was attract more to him and he stopped moving. They greedily tore him apart and feasted on his flesh. The vomit came unexpectedly and before I knew it, I had vomited all over the guy in front of me. He looked at me in disgust and I ran out the door into the nearest bathroom.

  I washed my face and rinsed out my mouth. This can't be happening, I thought looking in the mirror, I pulled the hair out of my face and tied it in a ponytail. This is like one of those stupid movies, I splashed the water on my face again, Or that one show that guy was talking about. The events of yesterday flashed through my head and suddenly they all connected. I need to get out of here! I thought as I exited the bathroom, my class was on the third floor of the building and the fastest way out was taking the B-stairway, but that was across the this floor. I knew that I needed to get out fast, if what was happening is like the movies then... My thoughts were interrupted by a piercing scream, without thinking I ran in the opposite direction away from the scream. The only thing that went through my mind was, They're here. I didn't think about who was getting attacked I just ran as fast as I could to get away. I stopped to see where I was going only to find out that I was going the wrong way, the B-stairway was where the scream came from. I stood there thinking about my options, I knew that if I went the other way, I could get out faster, but I was too afraid to know what it really was. What if they're different from the movies or the shows, what if they're the worst case kind, the kind that ran and had super heightened senses? All these "what if" scenarios ran through my head and thats when I finally made my decision. I kept running, I wasn't going to take my chances, or pretend to play hero. I wanted to live, and if that meant leaving my classmates to die, then so be it. Most of them were assholes anyways.

     Just as I came within ten feet of the staircase, the classroom doors opened and all the students started to run out. My heart dropped, I couldn't move freely because of all the bodies clogging up the hallways in panic. I wasn't an idiot, I knew that scared, hormonal teenagers and real dangers don't mix, I had a better chance if I just waited it out. I didn't bother to share my thoughts as I slipped into one of the empty classrooms and searched for the keys, praying that the teacher left them in haste, but it wasn't. Instead of giving up and joining the crazed crowd, I went to the next empty room, and the next until I found the key to the room.