𝕎𝔸𝕐 𝔹𝔸ℂ𝕂 ℍ𝕆𝕄𝔼 ||𝐃𝐔𝐓𝐘 𝐀𝐅𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐎𝐋||

Chapter - 16

Inside the cramped room, the students huddled together, their breaths shallow and hearts pounding in their chests. The once relentless pounding of the sphere against the door had ceased, leaving an eerie stillness in its wake. The silence was unsettling, and they couldn't help but wonder why the sphere had suddenly gone quiet.

"Anyway, why did it suddenly stop moving around?" Tae-man wondered aloud, his voice barely above a whisper.

Young-shin, deep in thought, spoke up. "Could it be... This is just my guess, but maybe it knows that we can't run away due to the window guards. Think about it. It knows we can't run away through the windows. It's waiting for us in front of the only way out."

The others regarded him with skepticism. "No way," Tae-man replied, his voice tinged with doubt. "It can't be that smart, though."

Young-shin's brows furrowed, his gaze intense. "We know nothing about the spheres. If they're intelligent, Where they came from, and why they came. But one thing is certain. It reacts to sounds."

A heavy silence descended upon the room as Young-shin's words resonated within them. Yeon-hwa watched the exchange from her corner, her mind replaying the events of the day. She mulled over Young-shin's observation, realizing that he was right. Perhaps understanding the behavior of the spheres could hold the key to their survival.

As night fell upon them, darkness enveloped the room, further intensifying their feelings of confinement. The students huddled close together, their anxious breaths barely audible in the stillness. The weight of their situation hung heavy in the air, their hopes pinned on finding a way to escape.

In the midst of their somber silence, a faint clanging sound echoed from the grated window. The students turned their heads in surprise, their eyes widening as they saw Chi-yeol standing on the other side.

"How did you get out?" Jang-soo asked Chi-yeol, trying to keep his voice down to not attract the attention of the sphere.

"So-yeon's condition is worsening," Chi-yeol whispered urgently, his voice filled with concern. "So we had an idea. Why don't we just get in the truck and drive away?"

The group's attention was fully captured by Chi-yeol's words, hope flickering within their eyes. Jang-soo stepped forward, his voice laced with determination. "Chi-yeol, do you think you can let us out?"

"Let's see." Chi-yeol attempted to pry open the window, his fingers desperately grasping at the stubborn grates. Despite his efforts, the window remained firmly shut. Disappointment clouded his features as he looked up to face his classmates. "No. Not with my bare hands."

Jang-soo contemplated the situation. "Chi-yeol, we're going to need some tools."

Chi-yeol nodded in understanding, determination resurfacing in his eyes. "Okay. I'll go and find one."

He rushed off, leaving the students inside the room in a state of anxious anticipation. Time seemed to stretch endlessly as minutes turned into what felt like hours. Each passing moment only heightened their concern for Chi-yeol's safety and the success of his mission.

Yeon-hwa paced back and forth, her worry evident in her furrowed brows. "Why is he taking so long? What if something happened to him?" The other students exchanged concerned glances, their unease mounting with every passing second.

As they waited, the room grew increasingly stifling, the weight of their circumstances pressing down upon them. The air felt heavy with anxiety, mingled with a sense of urgency. They understood that time was slipping away, and their chances of survival diminished with each passing minute.

Suddenly they heard Chi-yeol screaming and they quickly rushed outside to open the door for him. He sprinted like never before and entered a room, soon followed by everyone and they quickly shut the doors.