Golden Melody

Chapter 10.5

Zatariel Wov

His pov

The next morning, Ms. Davis led us to the botanical garden's greenhouse, where we were greeted by a symphony of colors and scents.
"Today, we're going to learn about the different types of carnivorous plants," she announced, her voice brimming with enthusiasm.

"Carnivorous plants? Seriously?" Marie scoffed, her eyes rolling.

"Oh, you'll be surprised," I said, a mischievous grin spreading across my face.
"These plants are way cooler than you think."

We spent the morning exploring the greenhouse, Ms. Davis explains the unique adaptations of each plant.

We learned about the Venus flytrap, whose hinged traps snapped shut in a fraction of a second, and the sundew, whose glistening tentacles trapped insects with their sticky secretions.

We even saw a pitcher plant, its hollow, pitcher-shaped leaves filled with digestive fluid, and a bladderwort, a plant that sucked up unsuspecting insects with lightning speed.

As we moved on to the outdoor gardens, Ms. Davis divided us into groups for a scavenger hunt.
Each group was assigned a specific type of carnivorous plant to find and document.
My group Miexha, Ofreigha and Jay, and we were tasked with finding the elusive butterwort, a plant whose sticky leaves trapped small insects.

We wandered through the gardens, our eyes scanning the lush foliage.
Mimi, her eyes sparkling with excitement, pointed to a small, delicate plant with bright purple flowers.
"Look!" she exclaimed.
"I think that's it!"

We examined the plant, its leaves covered in a glistening, sticky substance.
We snapped a few pictures, then moved on, our hearts racing with the thrill of the hunt.

By the end of the day, we had completed the scavenger hunt, our minds buzzing with newfound knowledge about carnivorous plants. 
We had learned about their adaptations, their ecological importance, and the delicate balance of nature.

As we gathered for dinner, I couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. 
This trip was already proving to be more interesting than I had anticipated. 
And, of course, it was a chance to spend more time with Mimi, which was always a bonus.

As we were about to leave the dining hall, a hand clamped down on my shoulder. 
I turned, expecting to see Jay  but it was Thyron, his face twisted with a malevolent grin. 
He shoved me into a dark corner, his fist connecting with my stomach with a thud. 
The world went black.

I woke up on the back of Damian, his arms wrapped tightly around my legs. 
My stomach screamed in protest, a sharp, throbbing pain that pulsed with every breath.
Damian stopped, his face etched with concern. 
"Don't move," he said, his voice low and urgent. 
I nodded, unable to speak. 
I was weak, disoriented, and my vision blurred. 
How could this freshman, barely taller than me, carry me with such ease?

Then I saw them, Marie and Kyliah, waving frantically. 
"Over here," Kyliah called, her voice laced with worry. 
Damian carefully lowered me to the ground, his green eyes gleaming with a strange intensity.

  "Just trust me and sleep," he said, his voice a low rumble that seemed to vibrate through my very being. 
And I did. 
I fell asleep immediately, the darkness enveloping me like a comforting blanket.

The morning light filtering through the dorm windows felt like a cruel joke. 
I woke up with a throbbing head and a stomach that felt like it was on fire. 
The events of the previous night were a hazy nightmare, a jumble of pain and fear. 
I sat up, my muscles protesting with every movement, and looked around the room. 
The other students were already awake, their faces etched with a mixture of confusion and anxiety.

"What happened?" I croaked, my voice hoarse.

"We're going home," Jay said, his voice subdued. 
"The trip is over."

"But why?" I asked, my mind struggling to grasp the situation.
"What happened?"

Just then, Ms. Davis entered the room, her face pale and drawn.
"Everyone, gather in the hall," she announced, her voice strained.
"We have a serious situation."

We followed her to the hall, where the other students were already assembled, their faces a canvas of worry. 
Ms. Davis stood at the head of the group, her eyes scanning the faces before her.

"There's been a virus outbreak in Green City," she said, her voice trembling slightly.
"It's spreading rapidly, and the city is in lockdown. We have to leave immediately. The virus is highly contagious, and it affects the nervous system, causing hallucinations, seizures, and even paralysis.  The infected become aggressive and unpredictable, posing a serious threat to themselves and others."

A wave of panic rippled through the crowd. 
Whispers of fear and confusion filled the air. 
I felt a cold dread creep into my heart. 
It was like something out of a nightmare, a sudden, inexplicable threat that had shattered the illusion of safety.

We were herded onto the bus, our faces a reflection of the chaos that had descended upon us.
The journey back to Yellow City was a blur of anxiety and exhaustion.
The news reports blared on the radio, detailing the escalating situation in Green City. 
The virus, they said, was airborne and could survive for days on surfaces. 
The city was in a state of emergency, with hospitals overwhelmed and resources stretched thin. 
We were lucky to have escaped just in time.

I sat next to Mimi, her face pale and drawn. 
She hadn't spoken much. 
I reached out and squeezed her hand, trying to offer some comfort. 
She squeezed back, her grip tight, and I knew she was just as shaken as I was.

"Are you okay?" I asked softly.

She nodded, but her eyes were filled with fear. 
"I just... Just seriously? A virus? On our trip?"

I didn't have an answer for her.  None of us did. 
The virus had come out of nowhere, a silent, invisible enemy.

We were held in quarantine as soon as we arrived at the border of Yellow City.  We spent a day at the bus stop, our lives on hold, our minds racing with questions and fears. 
The world felt different, more fragile, more uncertain. 
And as I looked out at the bleak cityscape, I couldn't help but wonder what the future held.

I looked around at the other students, their faces etched with worry.
The next day, we were finally released from quarantine. 
The city felt different, quieter.
But we were back home, safe and sound.