Monochromatic

Chapter 13

Libia

Whispers surrounded me at school that Monday. No one personally went out their way to bother or even speak to me, but I knew they were talking about that incident at recess. It would pass soon enough, I knew that, yet it still struck a nerve with me. I made it to the first period on time like usual, spacing out through the long lecture our teacher gave us thinking about Rave. He was always the type to get himself in and out of trouble; getting broken bones every once in a while, but always acting like they were merely scrapes and bruises. He's done this kind of thing before, but it never went that far. I didn't want to think of what that Andrew guy might have to him, but from how that room looked, I could easily formulate the scenario in my head.

'Don't think about that! Just focus on your work!'

I kept repeating that over and over, but it would take a while longer for me to finally be able to focus. An announcement suddenly aired through the school.

"We are now on lockdown."

My classmates began to panic, not knowing if this was a surprise drill or reality. Our teacher ordered us to remain calm and go into position, but it didn't ease the tension in the atmosphere. All the student's squeezed in together against the wall, leaving barely any space to breathe. As soon we were snug in place, another announcement aired.

"Attention all teachers, we ask you to stay on the lookout for a little boy out in the hall. He's a brunette with a ponytail; tan skin; and hazel eyes. If he is found, make sure to either capture him or alert the security of his whereabouts."

I couldn't understand why they couldn't find another way to give out this message, I'm sure that the boy would hear this message and be more aware of where he's going from now on. My teacher whispered a similar thought to himself as he peered through his door window. From his body language, I could guess that the coast was clear for now. I couldn't help but wonder, the description the announcer gave sounded awfully familiar. Of course, there are thousands of little boys who fit that description, nonetheless I couldn't stop myself from thinking that Freedom might be behind all this. But no, that couldn't have been, right?

My teacher couldn't stop the students from whispering to each other about the situation. It was only natural that they'd wonder what the meaning of all of this was as well. We then saw the teacher's brows furrow and his eyes bury themselves into the window. Another student couldn't help to get up and do the same to see what he was so focused on. One by one more children joined in, and soon even I did as well. Freedom was speeding down the hall, and the children laughed and cheered him on. As soon as he came, he went. The teacher didn't bother chasing after him, however, he did notify the security of the event. He let us remain out of position as long as we were quiet and didn't leave the room. He knew the kid was most likely not as threatening as the measures called for.

At last, the situation was resolved, and we returned to the somewhat ordered classroom we once were. The teacher no longer wished to lecture us, and we agreed to simply do our school work and study, then pick up where we left off tomorrow. It was quiet for the most part, and nothing else out of the ordinary happened for quite some time. I had to leave out into the restroom, only to come back with the teacher present elsewhere. I tripped and hit my head somehow on someone's desk as I walked back to my seat. As I was getting up from the fall, a foot was place on my back steadily, but weak enough that I could still easily stand,

"I wouldn't try that if I were you, teacher's pet!" a male classmate warned, "You'll regret it!"

I replied with my silence, proceeded to stand, and walked to my seat ignoring the boy's warning. I never looked up at him, but I knew he was angered by the lack of acknowledgement. He stormed up to my desk, banging his fist on it in an attempt to declare his dominance,