Stone Cold

Chapter 3

I glance up at the clock for the tenth time.  Each minute that ticks away causes my breathing to accelerate. 

Not everyone is having the same reaction as me though. Most are going about their usual day being annoying in class. It seems unbelievable to me. 

A ringing noise penetrates my thoughts. It's the bell, meaning it's the end of Period 2. 

No. NO.

Fretfully, I glance to my right to see Sungwoo staring back at me. His face is several shades lighter than usual. He looks sick. I gulp and try to breathe normally but it barely works. I'm too panicked. As I push myself out of the chair, the world spins. I latch onto the chair just before I fall to the floor and make myself look like an idiot. Everyone is nervous, but no one else seems as terrified as I am. 

Am I... overthinking this?

"Stay in your seats, everyone. You all will be collected soon." Our teacher says.

I shakily sit down again, trying not to make it obvious about the oncoming panic attack. 

"There's no need to worry, every single one of you is in safe hands."

Yeah, for the next half an hour.

There's a thump on the door and several bulky people barge into the room, dressed in all black. It wouldn't have been concerning if they weren't wearing full on armour, vests and carrying literal guns. Most of these guards probably had the Assasin Power. It was a strangely common power to get.

But how come they never told us that the escorts would look like freaking jailors?

"Nobody move." One of them shouts as if the class isn't already drop-dead still and silent. He turns to his troop. "Find your assigned children. Move it!" 

The guards simultaneously lift up their right arms, where a small holographic picture appears. I assume that they're photos of us.  There are 31 guards, including the shouty one, and they stand in six lines of five. Eerily, they move line by line finding the child they're 'looking after.'

I involuntarily shiver as one stands behind me, the muzzle of his gun at the back of my neck. This is a bit extreme.

Cautiously, I twist my head towards the other students.

"Don't move a muscle kid." The guards gruff voice comes and he edges the gun into my neck ever so slightly. 

This makes me feel soooo much better about The Stoning.

Our teacher still stands at the front of the class, not looking the slightest bit bothered by the fact that he too has a gun pointed at him.  He's probably used to it from every year. Maybe.

"Alright class, it's time to go. Follow these guards and do not disobey their orders. It's for your own safety." 

More like the Council's safety but whatever.

Shouty Guard lowers his gun from the teacher and points it towards the student sitting at the front of the class, Mell. I can't imagine what I'd do if I had two guns being pointed at me. Honestly, I'd probably pass out.

Mell looks unperturbed. It was probably the confidence that came with being popular.

Shouty Guard looks around the classroom and speaks in his abnormally loud voice. "Your guards will tap you when it's time for you to get up. You will all follow without noise in a single file line and in order. Anyone who fails to comply with these simple tasks will face consequences! YOU!" He refers to Mell. "Get up and follow me." 

Her guard taps her back with the gun, signalling for her to get up and follow. She does. To her right, a guard does the same with Henry and so on. I barely realise when it's my turn.