Gehenna: An Awakening

Chapter 5

 Clara spent the entire night thinking about what Mason and Sara said. It was certainly a lot to take in, but in a strange sort of way, it made sense. It would explain why the bald man was after her. And it was a little comforting knowing that there were others like her. Still, it was a lot to digest, and Clara wasn't sure she was ready for all of it, especially given all that was happening with Gerald.

The next day came, and sure enough, Gerald was still alive, and still no one remembered his murder. When Clara walked on the bus that morning, Gerald flashed her a quick smile. It churned her stomach.

She spent most of the day trying to forget about Gerald, but as expected, that didn't go so well. If what Sara and Mason had said were true, then how likely was it that Gerald's death (and inexplicable reanimation) and the bald man were related?

Maybe she should talk to Gerald... no, that wouldn't end well. He would probably just be confused like everyone else, and that would just make things worse. And the principal wasn't going to be of any help. He was in on it, if those questions Sheppard asked her the other day were of any indication.

So what was she supposed to do then? She couldn't even talk to Jaclyn about it, or else that'd put her in danger. The bald man could target Jaclyn. She could be killed, like Gerald was.

Eventually, third period came, the class she was dreading. That was the class she shared with Gerald, the same class that he asked her out in, on the same day that her life changed forever. All she could do was stare at him, countless possibilities running through her head of how he could possibly be alive. But, every single one of them ended at the exact same point: He shouldn't be.

Clara attempted to change her focus. She tried looking through her notes before the teacher arrived, she tried focusing on Jaclyn, on Sara and Mason's words. But... what if when she looked away, Gerald died? What if he was killed before the end of the period? What if the bald man came in through the back entrance, and slit Gerald's throat? If Clara wasn't watching, and that happened, it would be her fault again.

She shook the thought out of her head. The bald man wouldn't barge in the middle of class. What a ridiculous thought.

"Good morning students," Clara's heart stopped. She knew that voice all too well. She slowly turned to the doorway, her heart about to beat out of her chest. It couldn't be, it just couldn't. But, there he was, walking into the room. "Your teacher is sick today, so I will be taking over," That deep, imposing voice. That suit, those sunglasses. "The lesson plan states to be working on page forty-nine, problems fourteen through nineteen, and use complete sentences or you'll lose points," As the substitute sat at the teacher's desk, Clara stared at the monster that walked in like there was nothing wrong. The bald man had made his way into Clara's class.

"Alright, listen up," The bald man continued. "I'm going to call attendance. If you don't hear your name and you're marked absent, then tough luck," He began listing off names.

After several minutes, he called the name before Clara's, which happened to be Jaclyn's. "Here," Jaclyn raised her hand, looking at the bald man suspiciously. Jaclyn whispered to Clara, "Hey, didn't he take you aside a couple days ago?" Then Jaclyn's eyes shifted to Gerald for just a moment, and she looked puzzled. Was she... remembering? "Gerald... I thought..." She clutched her head with her hand.

Suddenly, a chill went down Clara's spine. Eyes were watching her, soulless, careless eyes. Those eyes were the bald man's.

She suddenly had a hard time breathing. Why was the bald man looking at her like that? Was he going to strike today? Was he going after Jaclyn? Gerald? Andrew?

Her heart was beating harder, like it was going to burst out of her chest. She could imagine Jaclyn's bloodied body, her slit throat, her lifeless eyes, staring at Clara, asking her why she didn't help.