Save Our Sorry Selves

Chapter 10

Tuesday

Riley continued to rummage through whoever's classroom we were occupying at the moment while we waited out a school shooting. I had so much running through my mind. Who were the Fortifying Forty? Why were they doing this? Why specifically me and most of my friends? Why was Jowen on the top of the list? Well, actually, that's pretty self-explanatory, he's an asshole.

How long did we have until we were picked off and killed? Or if we didn't by the Fortifying Forty, we would surely die from thirst or starvation. 

But why did Travis say I was supposed to be left till last? And why did Jowen save me? Me of all people, who he ignored his whole life. 

I wasn't about to ask him because I know he would never give me an honest answer. 

My mind was racing I didn't even notice that Riley's face was inches from my face until she began to talk. "Hey, Atlas. I get that we're going through shit, but can you stop thinking and find some water as you wanted?" 

I snap out of my trance. "Yeah, um, have you looked through the whole room yet?" 

"Yup. So one of us is gonna have to..." She didn't say the words, but she was looking in the direction of the door. 

"Leave? Yeah, I'll go look. I'm the one who complained." I start to get up from my spot on the floor. 

"Oh hell no. You're not going anywhere. You stay here. I'll go." Jowen begins to walk towards the door and starts to take off the barricade. 

"Seriously? You think I'm that helpless don't you?" Why was he all of a sudden trying to help me and go out of his way to be my savior after all these years. I could've used a savior long before now. When my life turned to shit. When Percy died. When my mom left me. When my dad became abusive. When I became depressed. He should've been there then. Not now, I don't need one anymore. 

"I just, you need to rest more I got this." 

"No Jowen. I'm going too. We need at least two people looking for water, another set of eyes." I thought for a second. Our phones would be super useful, you know to call 911. "Besides, we need our phones. I don't know if anyone's tried calling 911, but, it's worth a shot."

"Good idea, but isn't it weird that no one came? It's been a day I think." Luke finally chimes in. Come to think of it, he's right. Unless no one had the chance to call because they all died. 

"Okay, fine. We'll grab water and then phones from the gym." Jowen says exasperatedly. 

"It'll be quicker if we split up. I'll grab the phones. You grab the water." 

"Not happening. Either we stick together or I go alone." Jowen crosses his arms, flexing his arm muscles again. I embarrassingly caught myself staring for a bit, but snapped out of it quickly. 

"Dammit Jowen! You're making things so difficult. We gotta do things my way." 

"Or what?" He says while rolling his eyes and shifts his weight on this other leg. A small smirk forming on his face.

"Just listen to her plan dumbass. She knows what she's talking about." Luke jumps in. A life saver. I give him a small smile which he barely notices, and gives me one back. 

"Ok, I don't know what's going on between the two of you but sticking together is the best shot we got at survival." Jowen continues to move objects. 

"Fine. Let's just, go." I say annoyed. We start to help him remove the desks but as quietly as we can.

I never would've thought that I would be trapped overnight in my school, having to be as quiet as possible, knowing we could die at any second with one wrong move. 

Jowen slowly turns the door handle and peaks his head out. It's been dead silent since yesterday. Not even the music from the Fortifying Forty was playing over the intercom. Jowen motions me to follow him. I push my way past Luke who firmly touches the small of my back to reassure me that he's there. 

"Don't die." He whispers in my ear as I pass him. I turn around and give him a reassuring smile and close the door behind me. 

Jowen and I practically tip toe to first the cafeteria as it's closer to us than the coaches's office. The long, quiet hallway is empty, unlike how it usually is. I've never seen it in the stats its' in now. No bustling students in a hurry to get to class before the bell. No teachers lurking to see who they can catch to mark as late. Not a single person in sight. Except for a pair of feet that are sticking out of the corner of another hallway. Jowen uses his hand to stop me in my tracks. He goes on ahead without me, inspecting what it is. His face turns from confusion to a sickly white. 

I knew that could only mean one thing. He motions for me to come again, but I know what to expect. As I finally come close enough to the body I see a boy, who looks similar to Peter. Same hair color, skin, and even an outfit that looks like something he would wear.  If only I would have been able to see his face, but it was almost completely blown apart from a huge bullet, most likely a shot gun. A lump forms in my throat. Then the familiar prick of tears form in my eyes. No, not here. Not in front of him. I look away from the boy and move in front of Jowen, who continues to stare. Eventually Jowen follows me and we enter the cafeteria. 

We suddenly turn into stealth mode, especially Jowen. He presses his back against the wall and slowly looks around one side of the room, then the other. He moves forward, and so do I. I'm surprised there isn't any of the shooters in the room as it has the main food and water supplies. Jowen must be too, telling by his expression. Then again, I'm glad they aren't here because we didn't come prepared as we have no weapons besides Jowen's baseball bat. 

Jowen heads for one side of the room, and me the other. I grab as many water bottles in the back that my hands can carry. I decide to search for a bag instead, realizing that I would be stupid to not use anything else to carry them. So I find a few of those big totes and fill them with water. After fitting as many as possible in the bags, I swing them over my shoulders and decide to check up on Jowen and his progress with what I assume food. I'm weaker than usual as I haven't eaten or drinken in more than 24 hours. 

I see Jowen also grabbing bags and stuffing snacks even in his pockets. You know, maybe I don't give Jowen enough credit. He really is smart and can be selfless, but why am I only seeing this side now?

"Need a hand?" I say as I walk up to him. 

"I don't think you can with all you're carrying." He's right. I forget my limit sometimes. 

"Well, ready to get our phones then?" 

"Yeah, let's go." He says as he zips up both totes and begins to walk. 

We successfully exit the cafeteria and for once, I feel like things may start going my way again. 

But all of that changes again, fast. 

The intercom crackles up to life again, a loud booming voice overhead. "This song is for all of those who are still out there, still fighting to stay alive in our little game we made. I hope you guys can outlive this challenge too. Best of luck!" And the voice turns off, only to be replaced immediately by TOTO's Africa. 

"What the actual fuck?" Jowen breathes next to me as we stop in our footsteps. The instrumentals were relaxing, a nostaglic reminder of life before yesterday or today. 

"Wait, he said challenge. There's a challenge that's about to happen. We gotta get out of here!" I shout to Jowen. Whatever the guy has planned, isn't good. 

Just as we start to run as fast as we can with food and water bags, the sprinklers turn on, and it's not water that comes out. Whatever touches my arm burns, a lot. I yelp in pain and looks down at it to see a bright red mark forming. 

"ACID!" I yell out. As if on queue, the song is playing the chorus where they say "I bless the rains down in Africa."