Left to survive.

Scars of Survival...

The whole class was now ready for their escape. The girls meticulously tied their hair back, making sure nothing would interfere with their movements. Meanwhile, the boys were busy taping up books, using whatever materials they could find to fortify their makeshift weapons. Their arsenal was meager but practical: two cricket bats, a few baseball bats, metal pipes scavenged from the staff room, and a hammer that a boy had managed to find. Despite the limited resources, the students' resolve was unshakable.

Avery, taking charge of the situation, grabbed the keys to the three buses from the staff room. She approached the front gate area where the groups were anxiously waiting, her authoritative presence immediately drawing everyone's attention. "Okay, listen up," she announced, her voice cutting through the murmur of apprehension. "We have six groups of five. I've got keys for three buses, so we're going to leave in batches. The first batch will be my group, followed by another group. We won't go too far initially. Once we're safely on the bus, the next batch will come through. Understand?"

The class responded with a collective nod, their faces a mix of determination and nervousness. As the first batch prepared to move out, Sophia stepped forward and enveloped Avery in a heartfelt hug. Grace joined them, her own emotions clearly on edge. With a bittersweet smile, Sophia said, "Don't do anything reckless. Just get on the bus that matches the key number. We need you safe."

Grace, trying to hold back tears, added her own words of reassurance. "What are you worried about? Avery will be fine. We've come this far, and she's got this."

Avery looked at her friends and couldn't help but laugh, her familiar light-heartedness cutting through the tension. "Aww, you guys are getting all emotional. Look at Sophia's eyes, though—I should've brought my phone to capture this moment!" Her playful banter was a welcome distraction from the gravity of their situation.

The trio shared a final hug, their words of farewell tinged with both hope and sadness. As the two groups made their way to the back gate, the atmosphere was charged with a mix of anxiety and determination. The plan was clear: make it to the buses, get to safety, and then regroup. The stakes were high, and every move counted. But in their final moments before departure, the camaraderie and support among the friends shone through, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the chaos.

The first group slowly made their way out, led by Avery. Every step was cautious, every movement calculated to avoid making a sound. They moved quickly but quietly, their senses on high alert for any sign of danger. A few minutes later, the second group followed, keeping a safe but close distance behind.

As they made their way toward the buses, one girl from the second group accidentally stepped on a candy wrapper, the crinkling sound breaking the tense silence. Her friend immediately smacked her on the head, whispering urgently, "Don't make noise, you idiot; they can hear us." The group continued, moving slowly and deliberately, their hearts pounding in their chests.

Avery, leading the way, was scanning the area for the bus with the number 5. After a tense search, she finally spotted it. Relief washed over her as the first group reached the bus without incident. They quickly climbed aboard, and Avery anxiously watched as the second group approached. Thankfully, they too arrived safely.

Once everyone was on the bus, Avery checked outside the window and saw no zombies in sight. She slid the window open and waved, signaling that they were safe and had made it to the bus. From the top floor of the school, Sophia saw Avery's wave and returned it, a small smile of relief on her face. She hurried down to the ground floor, where the remaining students were gathered near the front gate.

"Okay, guys, the first batch made it," Sophia announced, and the entire class let out a collective sigh of relief. Many of them had been separated from close friends, and the tension had been palpable.