𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐟𝐢𝐚

ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝟙𝟚 : 𝕌𝕟𝕤𝕖𝕖𝕟 𝕓𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕜 𝕚𝕟

Monday morning dawned with an ominous start—the absence of Alexis due to sickness left me feeling unsettled. Instead, I found solace in the company of Hazel and Laure, although my reprieve was short-lived as Chauvelle continued to hound me relentlessly. Unprepared to face her that day, I hurriedly unlocked my locker only for her to close it with a sly smirk.

"What's your problem?" I demanded, trying to mask my irritation with a fake smile.

"You looked like you needed company," she responded, her tone dripping with insincerity.

"No thanks," I rebuffed, swiftly walking away and seeking refuge in the English class.

 Unfortunately, our class debate fell flat as my team remained silent, much to Mr. Mathew's dismay.

"Students, why aren't you guys discussing?" he queried, just as an alarming signal blared over the speakers.

"Terrorists...terrorists...HIDE!" the announcement echoed, sending a wave of panic through the classroom.

Mr. Mathew instructed us to take cover under the tables, where I found myself alongside Hazel and Laure.

"This is the first time we've had this in school," Hazel whispered anxiously.

"Really?" I questioned, my heart pounding in my chest.

As the door creaked open, a figure cloaked in black entered, causing Mr. Mathew to visibly gulp. The intruder demanded my whereabouts, sending a chill down my spine.

"Not here—" Mr. Mathew began but was abruptly cut off as the intruder pressed a gun against his forehead.

"We know she is here," the man asserted, prompting his accomplices to search under each desk.

"Sage, you better run," Laure whispered urgently, her voice tinged with fear.

Acting instinctually, I closed the curtains and extinguished the lights, plunging the room into darkness. With adrenaline coursing through my veins, I made a break for the door, only to feel someone grab my hand.

"LET HER GO!" Mr. Mathew's voice rang out, but I managed to break free using my telekinetic abilities and flee. The hallways were deserted, illuminated only by sporadic flickers of light. I could sense the masked assailants closing in on me, their footsteps echoing ominously.

Desperate to escape, I found myself cornered in a dead end.

"Sorry, Sage...life is over now—" the masked man's words were cut short as a gunshot rang out, followed by chaos.

The twins, Sullivan and Saul, stood before me, their faces set in determined expressions as they fended off the assailants. Amidst the chaos, our headmistress, Mrs. Gavin, arrived on the scene, accompanied by our principal, Mr. Kean.

"What is all this?" Mrs. Gavin demanded, surveying the scene in disbelief.

"We used self-defense," Saul explained, as Mrs. Gavin inspected the situation.

"I understand the need for self-defence, but shooting each one of them—" Mrs. Gavin began, only to be interrupted by Mr. Kean.

"Sage has a guarantee from our side," Mr. Kean interjected firmly. "We cannot afford to let her come to harm, especially after the recent attacks."

With a folded paper, Mr. Kean elaborated on the necessity of self-defence measures given the prevailing dangers. Mrs. Gavin acquiesced, albeit reluctantly, allowing the twins to wait along with the other students outside the classroom.

As we gathered on the ground, I reunited with Hazel and Laure, their concern palpable.

"Oh my god, Sage! Are you alright?" Hazel exclaimed, enveloping me in a tight hug.