Walls

Chapter 3

Mrs Matling started off with english class today instead of history. We examined literary devices from a whole bunch of different (extremely boring) books for about an hour, and with the remaining half hour we received writing prompts and were tasked with creating short stories.

Mrs Matling handed out little slips of paper with different words on them. Arwin got Everlasting Sorrow and started writing about a love story between two squirrels. I started giggling.

"It's a serious issue, Blair!" Arwin cried sarcastically, putting a lot of emphasis on serious. "Squirrels all over the city, just looking for love! It's tragic!"

I laughed and turned away to start my short story. I had received Baking, so I just retold the general disaster that was my chocolate coconut balls this morning (maybe emphasizing my hatred towards condensed milt a bit too much), my mind vaguely wandering to the people in black.

Are they really smoking something? Yeah, it happens all the time, but nobody's ever dressed like that. My eyes drifted to the snow-streaked window. They can't be from the government, they're always wearing blue. Maybe-? I looked around suddenly, as if someone could've have heard my thoughts. Maybe they're from outside the walls. It's been happening for a couple of months now-students being taken from their classes. I shook my head. That isn't possible. The government would've already known, they'd already have taken the people in black away.

The bell's piercing screech rang throughout the school once again, and Mrs Matling switched over to history by setting up a screen. You'd think that in 2049, there'd be good technology everywhere. But not here, oh no. Not in schools. So we have to use projectors and screens to get by. At least we know we're watching something (but hopefully not another documentary on 2018. That was too much to follow). Mrs Matling then pulled up a short video titled About the Walls and the Outsiders. "If everybody could please take notes during this presentation," Matling gestured to the white screen hanging from the roof, "we will review them later." She paused. "This is a semi-instructional video that we are acquired to show you, from your government." Mrs Matling added in a monotone voice, as if she had to say that. She then waddled off and sat in her desk, pressing a button in the projector on her way.

An older lady, with platinum blonde hair and wrinkles lining her forehead, stepped into the screen and began to address us, 'The students'.

'As you are all aware, there have been numerous break-ins all across our cities, and most recently in our neighbouring city. There are actions that you can take to prevent these from happening. In the case of an emergency, students will be asked to remain silent. Remaining silent will lower the chances of your specific class being targeted, as the criminals attacking your school usually haven't planned anything towards a specific class.'

Usually. Because usually is totally safe when you're dealing with crazy people.

'If, for whatever reason, your class is provoked, your teacher has been trained in these situations.'

Mrs Matling faked a small cough and rummaged around awkwardly in the papers littering her desk.

'Your government takes every measure of safety possible to ensure that these criminals don't escape with yet more students. There is an alarm that can be triggered by students and teachers alike by your classroom's door. When you flip the switch in the case of an emergency, government officials will be contacted and sent to diffuse the situation.'

My eyes found the small red switch surrounded by glass beside the door. there was a minuscule hammer next to it, 'Use to break glass'.

'After seven minutes of the switch being flipped, your government officials should already be at the crime site. By ten minutes, the criminals will be contained. By fifteen, the situation will have been diffused and controlled. All possibly provoked students will be taken for questioning. By twenty minutes, it'll be like the attack never happened.' She paused and stepped to her right (my left). A slideshow of smiling kids popped op on the right side of the screen. 'Help us protect our children, our citizens, our community. Thank you for putting faith in your government.'

And with that, the screen went blank.