Echoes of Red [BINI AU]

Chapter 16

Third Person's Point Of View

As they cautiously made their way through the silent corridors, Mikha and Maloi glanced nervously around, the absence of any signs of life heightening their anxiety. With each step, the tension in the air seemed to grow thicker, amplifying the dread that coiled in the pit of their stomachs.

Maloi's voice broke the uneasy silence, her words laced with disbelief and confusion. "Everything was fine earlier," she muttered, her brow furrowed in frustration. "I was in my 6am class, after nung class namin, natulog muna ako kasi 8am pa naman start ng class namin. Kaso, when I woke up, the hallway was empty na."

Their footsteps echo off the walls, the only sound in the deserted hallway as they scan their surroundings for any sign of life. But the emptiness stretches out before them, a haunting reminder of the chaos that has consumed their once familiar surroundings.

They finally arrive at the classroom, and they encounter Stacey, whose presence brings a sense of relief amidst the uncertainty. Stacey's warm embrace is a welcome comfort, her words of reassurance a balm to their frayed nerves.

"Thank God buhay pa kayo," Stacey says, her voice filled with relief. 

Maloi's mind races with questions, her confusion mounting as she struggles to make sense of the unfolding events. "Ano bang nangyayari?" she demands, her frustration evident in her voice. "I fell asleep in class, and when I woke up, everyone was gone..."

Stacey's expression darkens as she recounts the chaos that has unfolded in their absence. "It's like a nightmare," she admits, her voice trembling with emotion. "But we're alive, and that's all that matters."

Mikha's memories of her encounter with the strange man a few days ago come flooding back, her heart racing as she realizes the connection between the events unfolding before her.

Amidst the chaos, Mikha's thoughts turned to Sheena, the memory of their recent encounter flooding her mind. She knew she needed to warn her friend, to ensure her safety in the midst of the unfolding crisis.

In a panic, Mikha reaches for her phone, dialing Sheena's number with trembling fingers. As the call connects, she can't help but wonder if Sheena is safe, or if she too has fallen victim to whatever nightmare has descended upon their once peaceful university.

As soon as they were out of immediate danger, Mikha reached for her phone, fingers trembling as she dialed Sheena's number. She needed to make sure her friend was aware of the danger lurking within the university walls.

The phone rang, each tone echoing in Mikha's ears like a countdown to impending doom. She held her breath, praying for Sheena to pick up, her heart pounding with a mixture of fear and desperation.

Suddenly, a voice crackled through the receiver, and relief flooded Mikha's veins as Sheena's voice filled her ears. "Hello?" Sheena's voice was laced with confusion and concern.

"Sheena, makinig ka sa'kin," Mikha's words spilled out in a rush, urgency coloring her tone. "You need to lock the doors, don't let anyone in. Something's happening at the university—something dangerous. Don't ask questions, just go."

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line, and Mikha's heart clenched with anxiety. "Mikha, anong nangyayari?" Sheena's voice trembled with fear.

Mikha swallowed hard, trying to find the right words to convey the gravity of the situation without inciting panic. "I don't have time to explain," she said, her voice steady despite the turmoil raging inside her. "Just trust me. Just do it."

Before Sheena could respond, Mikha ended the call, her mind already racing with plans to reunite with her friend and ensure their safety in the face of whatever horrors awaited them.

With a determined set to her jaw, Mikha turned to Maloi, her eyes blazing with resolve. "We need to go to Sheena," she said, her voice firm. "And we need to get out of here before it's too late."

Maloi nodded in agreement, her expression mirroring Mikha's determination. Together, they set off down the empty corridors, their footsteps echoing in the eerie silence as they braced themselves for whatever dangers lay ahead.

Their conversation with Stacey is laced with tension and fear, each word heavy with the weight of uncertainty. Stacey's attempts at reassurance are met with skeptical glances from Maloi, whose frustration simmers just beneath the surface.

"We need to find out what's happening," Maloi insists, her voice tinged with urgency.

Stacey nods in agreement, her expression grave. "You're right," she says, her voice soft but determined. "We need to take action."

With a plan in place, they set out to navigate the chaos that has engulfed their university, their determination unwavering in the face of uncertainty and danger. As they brace themselves for the challenges that lie ahead, they know that they must rely on each other if they are to survive the night.

-

As Mikha, Maloi, and Stacey gathered in the classroom, the air was thick with tension and uncertainty. Mikha's voice broke through the silence, her urgency palpable as she addressed their classmates.

"We can't just stay here and do nothing," Mikha implored, her eyes scanning the faces of her peers. "We need to find out what's going on. Are any of you willing to come with us?"

The classmates exchanged hesitant glances, their expressions a mixture of fear and reluctance. One of them, a girl with a worried expression, spoke up tentatively. "I-I don't know, Lim. It sounds dangerous out there."

Another classmate, a boy with a nervous edge to his voice, nodded in agreement. "Yeah, what if we run into whatever's causing all this chaos? I'd rather stay put and wait for help to arrive."

Stacey's brow furrowed with concern as she listened to their apprehensive responses. "But what if help doesn't come?" she pressed, her voice tinged with desperation. "We can't just sit here and hope for the best."

Maloi, ever the pragmatist, chimed in with a sense of urgency. "We need to take action," she insisted, her voice firm. "Waiting here could lead to consequences just as dire as going out there."

But despite their pleas, the classmates remained hesitant, their fear outweighing any sense of adventure or curiosity. Mikha, Maloi, and Stacey exchanged frustrated glances, realizing that they would have to face the unknown alone.

As they prepared to leave the safety of the classroom, Mikha's gaze drifted to the window, where the empty expanse of the university campus stretched out before them. The sight sent a shiver down her spine, a stark reminder of the dangers that lurked beyond the classroom walls.

Gathering what supplies they could find, Mikha's eyes fell on a stash of pens, prompting a sarcastic remark from Stacey. "Do you really think a pen will help us?" she quipped, her skepticism evident in her tone.

Mikha smirked in response. "Hindi mo alam," she retorted. "It could come in handy for ink poisoning."

Maloi watched the banter between Mikha and Stacey with a mixture of amusement and concern, her mind elsewhere as she scrolled through her contacts, her family foremost on her mind.

Suddenly, Stacey approached Maloi, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Maybe now's a good time to turn off your phone and avoid any unwanted distractions," she suggested, a playful smile tugging at her lips.

Maloi nodded in agreement, powering off her phone and tucking it into her pocket. With their preparations complete, the trio exchanged a final glance, steeling themselves for the challenges that lay ahead.

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