The Secrets of Zodiac Academy ✔

15 - Treadmill Terrors Pt. 2

Doomsday.

Taurus had always heard of it. They all talked about it in books, movies, videos, TV shows, everywhere. No matter under the name 'End of the World' or 'Armageddon' or whatever else, it was still the same thing.

Doomsday.

Taurus never thought it would come so soon. She thought she'd live a happy, peaceful life without anything newsworthy happen to her. She'd go to college, become a teacher, get married to the guy of her dreams, have kids, and die peacefully in her sleep with her family by her side. Nowhere in her plans was die young, be singularly responsible for the reason her home planet is in ruins, and be some kind of weird half-animal, half-human hybrid who is one of 11 other such creatures who are instrumental to ending the world as we know it.

Doomsday.

The sight was completely familiar in the worst way possible. All twelve treadmills lined up in perfect rows with numerous cables running from each one into a large pillar. The carpet-like rocky ceiling that towered above them, arching to become the walls as well. The hard linoleum flooring that made every little sound, even the squeaking of old sneakers against the floor, become enunciated. There was no talk of escape, no conspiratorial whispers, just shoes and silence.

Thirteen kids looked up at this sight, fear dorning their faces like exquisite masks. Taurus didn't know about her fellow classmates, but she kept thinking one thought again and again. Is there really no escape? This can't be the end. We have to fight back. Is there really no way? Every time she thought this, a glimmer of hope would spark in Taurus' chest, but as she surveyed her surroundings, the little hope she had would fly away, beating its wings like a little butterfly to escape the coming trauma and turmoil.

The teachers grabbed each person by the arm, shoving them onto the machines like savages. Apparently, there was no need to keep the Zodiac kids safe anymore. The final mission had started, so nothing could stop them anymore. Taurus was thrown onto a treadmill, someone with warm and sticky hands squeezing at her arm. She hit the control panel, blood spurting out of her nose immediately as she crumpled to the floor of the machine. The person who had thrown her, a man probably, snickered. "That's what you get for trying to escape." Taurus was frozen in fear, not daring to move. "Now get up, you little rascal!" She rushed to her feet, holding the side bars for support. Not daring to look back, she stood there, frozen, until the footsteps receded. She loosened slightly.

Suddenly, Taurus felt pain. Something sharp was sliced into her arm, a searing burn coming from her wrist. She looked to see an extremely tight ring, piercing her skin with their sharp metal edges, attached to the treadmill's sidebar. Taurus bit her lip to stifle the pain, drawing metallic blood. The harsh feeling doubled, a new ring adorning her other wrist like an ugly bracelet.

"That's right," a voice boomed. "No escape for you this time! I thought we could trust you, but we obviously can't after you decided to run for it. That's okay, though! Just speeds up the process for us." Taurus surveyed the room. All her friends and classmates were in the same position as her, chained to the same maniacal game.

"If you're wondering, this pillar is our beacon of hope. Not yours, obviously, no such hope exists in this room. This pillar is a huge beacon with tons and tons of electricity in it. To power it up, you run on these treadmills, and a shock of electricity will pulse into the beacon, powering up a humongous bomb blaster on top of this very room. Have I mentioned how dangerous this is? In fact, this is exactly how not to use treadmills. Kids, don't try this at home -'oh wait, you won't see home anymore after this!" A psychotic laugh ensued.

"Hf, by the way, when the electricity is traveling through these wires, the pillar will cast out a bolt and hit you guys. I would tell you to be safe, but what's the point? Only you guys have the power to do this, and anyways, you're gonna be dead anyways. The bomb blasted is directed right at the sun. It'll blow up the sun and BOOM - prepare to die slowly and painfully!" Another cackle.