The Race *CURRENTLY ON HOLD FOR EDITING*

Chapter 2

Kate's POV;

Tech class had just started. One more period after this and I'd be home free, on the bus, and on my way home. We were working on our dream houses on the computers in the lab. I shifted around in my chair as I absorbed my design. I had just about everything perfect, just a few more touches to go. I went to go and click on the edit button, when suddenly the lights in the computer lab flickered violently. Then the lights shut off completely and all of the computers shut down. Mr. Kelson, my teacher, stood up and said, "Get under the counters! We're going into lockdown mode! Yes, this is real, it is not a drill, so please, go under the counters!" Everyone immediately got underneath the counters. Most of the other kids were either shaking or looking worried and shuffling around their small spot. I clutched my belongings to my chest as I sat on the carpet, crouched underneath the tan, laminate counter. Now, some of the other kids were also beginning to panic, but I, I didn't move a muscle. Mr. Kelson was going around checking on computers and kids, his tall jock like body, being a small comfort in our time of fear. He stopped walking around when he reached my computer. His face was suddenly contorted with confusion as he looked at my screen. Then he bent down and looked me in the eyes. "Kate, all of the other kids computers have either locked out, or have shut down, but yours hasn't. Do you have any idea as to why that might be?" I gulped. I didn't have to look around the room to know that everyone was staring at me. It was dead silent, and I could feel their gazes burn into me. My cheeks began to warm as the blood rushed to them and made me blush. Me? My computer? "I have absolutely no idea why Mr. Kelson." I responded quietly. "Why don't you sit at your seat and see what's on the screen." I nodded and saw some of the other kids seem confused. I sat down in the cool chair, and stared at an all white screen. Almost instantaneously after I sat down, a message popped up on the screen. There were three words on it.

I love you.

I stared at those three little words in shock. I must've been about to fall over because Mr. Kelson leaned down and looked me straight in the face, his hazel eyes tight with worry. "Do you have any idea what that was about?" I shook my head in response. "I... Just need to sit down right now." I stuttered. He nodded and I sat back down on the carpet. I clutched my knees to my chest with my arms, balling myself up, wishing that I could disappear. Wishing that I could escape the staring of the others in my class. Suddenly I felt the carpet tiles begin to shift beneath me.

The next thing I did was scream.

Which must've seemed like a pretty good idea at the time because that's what the rest of the class did. They screamed in pure horror and terror as I free fell through the floor, into the darkness and uncertainty that had suddenly opened up for me.