The Last Bell

Chapter 4: Echoes of the Past

The group splits into pairs, deciding to search the nearby hallways and classrooms. Carlos teams up with Raj, while Lila and Daniel head in the opposite direction. Jamal and Zara remain in the classroom, keeping the door open as they listen for any signs of Denise or Matt.

As the minutes drag on, the tension thickens. The air feels heavy, and the flickering lights have started again, casting unsettling shadows across the walls. Zara, unable to shake off the feeling of unease, picks up her phone, hoping to distract herself. She scrolls through her social media feed, but nothing catches her interest.

Suddenly, her phone buzzes, startling her. It's a call from her brother, Micah. Without thinking, she answers, pressing the phone to her ear. "Hey! What's up?"

"Zara? Where are you? Is everything okay?" Micah's voice is laced with concern.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just a study sleepover at school. Why?" She can hear the sound of muffled chatter in the background, her brother likely somewhere crowded.

"I don't know, I just had a weird feeling. Like, I couldn't shake it off," Micah says. "You guys have been there for a while, right?"

"Yeah, we're just studying. It's fine. Just a little spooky with the lights flickering," she responds, trying to sound nonchalant.

"Spooky? What do you mean?" he presses, sounding more alarmed.

Zara bites her lip, glancing toward the open door where she can see shadows moving outside. "Just... some people went to the vending machines and haven't come back yet. But I'm sure they're fine."

There's a pause on the other end. "You need to be careful. I've seen too many horror movies, and they all start with something like this. If it feels off, get out of there."

Zara chuckles nervously, but it doesn't quite reach her eyes. "I'll be fine. I promise. We're just studying for the IB. What's the worst that could happen?"

"Just watch your back, okay? I'll call you later," Micah says, still sounding worried.

"Yeah, I will. Love you," she replies, trying to keep the mood light.

"Love you too," he says before hanging up.

As she lowers her phone, Jamal looks over from where he's been pacing. "Everything okay?"

"Just my brother. He's being paranoid," Zara says, forcing a smile. But inside, a knot of worry tightens in her stomach.

A moment later, Carlos and Raj burst back into the classroom, their faces pale. "We checked everywhere," Carlos says, breathing heavily. "Still no sign of Denise or Matt."

"Maybe they're playing a prank?" Raj suggests, though his voice lacks conviction.

Lila and Daniel return just then, both looking equally concerned. "We checked the other classrooms and the halls—nothing," Lila says, her brow furrowing.

"Okay, let's regroup and wait for them to come back," Jamal suggests, glancing around nervously. "It's better to stay together."

The group gathers in the center of the classroom, a sense of dread hanging in the air. Zara can feel the weight of her brother's warning echoing in her mind. Something isn't right.

Suddenly, the lights flicker again, this time going out completely, plunging the room into darkness. Gasps fill the air, and for a brief moment, they can only hear the sound of their own breathing.

"Great, just great," Daniel mutters. "Now we're in a horror movie for sure."

As they huddle together, an uneasy silence envelops them. The darkness feels oppressive, and each passing second stretches out like an eternity.