Rayne

Chapter 3

I didn't know how today would start. Or did I know how it would end. But one thing for sure was that I did not expect it to go this way.

The sky was black; like death. Grey clouds blocked any bits of light from the sun and the temperature had plummeted to a body numbing number. I waved goodbye to my dad as he drove away, and slowly made my way to the school entrance.

Yesterday's wind had picked up, tossing leaves and sticks in every direction, scattering them across parked cars and hitting students as they ran across the parking lot. I watched as a man tried to gather papers from his car, but failing as the wind tore them from his hands.

A few papers scatted in my direction, and I hastily picked them up before they were lost with the wind. More and more items fell from the man's car, and I picked up the flying debris as I got closer.

"Mister, I think a few tried to run away." I laughed as I handed back the pile of papers I had collected. He jumped, surprised by my presence. A bag fell from his car, and I quickly leant down to grab it.

It was full of something. White powder fell from the opening before being caught in the breeze. I grabbed it, tying it back up and handing it to him. I opened my mouth to say something, when lightening crackled ahead, unleashing a torrent of rain.

The man quickly motioned to the school, throwing the bag back inside his car before heading to the school. Once inside, the sound of rain and thunder hammered on the roof making it impossible to think without a headache forming.

"I just want to say thank you, for outside." The man, presumably a teacher turned to me with a smile on his face. He seemed older than I would have thought, greying hairs pecking out by the roots.

"Oh," I smiled, hiking my now soaking bag up further on my back. "No worries. Looks like you could have used some help anyway." He smiled before turning on his heels and walking away.

With a sigh I wiped my face and twisted out my hair; small droplets dripping down to the floor. My clothing was completely soaked, and I felt my mood drop as I realised I would be forced to wear damp clothes for the rest of the day. I noticed wet students around me, others fortunate to be carrying umbrellas. The lucky ones I thought bitterly.

The storm grew worse as the minutes turned to hours, and the sky grew incredibly darker. I hadn't seen such a storm in many years. Rain pelted the window as I lazily gazed outside from the chemistry classroom. All classroom lights had been turned on as there was minimal natural lighting, so I saw his reflection in the window as he walked into class.

He placed the briefcase onto the table and turned towards the class, a smile on his face.

"Hello class. My name is Mr Thompson and I'm your substitute teacher for today as I believe Miss Miller is sick." I turned to face him as he reached into his bag and removed a small pile of paper. His skin was tan, like he was recently on a holiday from a place like Fiji. His aging hair was now sleeked back into formal style and he reached into his shirt to remove a set of glasses hanging on a chain.

I turned my attention back towards the raging storm as the substitute teacher droned on about written work and chemical equations. The storm outside was ruthless. Trees were almost sideways and small items were being flung around as if they were nothing. Something felt unsettling about the storm. It felt almost as if it was holding its breath; Waiting for something.

The lights flickered for a moment, drawing everyone's attention upwards. The teacher seemed a little nervous as he glanced around the room, towards the door. His half written equation on the board, forgotten as he cleared his throat.

"Um, ok guys. If things get a bit dangerous-" his sentence was interrupted as the lights blew at the exact same time as the windows exploded. Someone screamed as water and sticks flung into the classroom.