Rise || Marvel

《22》Dinosaurs

(Song: Paper Crown - Alec Benjamin)

《 Tia's POV 》

Flames flickered all around me, consuming everything like a ravenous beast. I whirled on the spot. An elegant building crumbled, sending a wave of debris raining down around me. Columns toppled down, cracking under the immense heat. The sky was dark with smoke, yet the ground had apparently taken 'The Floor is Lava' way too seriously.

"HELLO?!" I shouted, but immediately broke into a fit of coughing as the only response I got was a mouthful of ash. The only movement I could see was the buildings and houses collapsing.

I didn't recognise the city, yet the sight of its destruction tugged at my heartstrings. I felt like I should know this place.
Up on a hill, flames were finally reaching the last untouched structure. A monumental hall, with precariously tilted columns, each one carved with individual designs.

I tried to run towards it, but my feet seemed frozen in place. First, the thick roof caved in, resulting in a crash so loud, my ears rung. One by one, the many columns plunged down into the ever-growing flames.

A cloud of smoke erupted from the rubble, obscuring my vision. The acrid smell invaded my senses.

BANG.

I awoke with a start as my head slipped off my hand and slammed roughly into my desk. Somehow, this also resulted in me falling off my chair.

"What the- OWWW...!" I squeaked loudly. There was muffled laughter from all around me. I'm still in school. Whoops...

In the seat beside mine, Valerie (who I had now adopted as my friend) was face-palming.

"Miss Novis," Our teacher called sharply from the front of the room.

"I swear I didn't mean to do that," I said lamely, picking myself up into a sitting position on the floor.

"Mmhmm," She glared at me, "Perhaps you would like to give us the answer?"

All eyes turned to me.

Panicking, I blurted out, "THE SALEM WITCH TRIALS."

"This is MATHS!" Valerie spluttered.

"Oh. Then seven."

WHAT'S 1000 MINUS 7! ...Poor Kaneki.

Mrs Linda gave me a cold stare, "It was 1200."

I grinned sheepishly, "Well, I was close enough?"

"No. Get back on your seat and don't let this happen again, or I'll give you a detention."

The bell rang, signalling the end of the school day.

"You're lucky it was the end of the class...!" Valerie sighed, neatly slipping her notebook into her shoulder bag, "You can copy my notes for today if you want."

"Really? Thanks, Val'!" I beamed. She held up a finger.

"ONLY if you left me copy your drama notes. I missed a huge chunk of that lesson today due to a business exam..." She finished.

"Drama? Sure. Can we head to your place to do that?" I asked, slinging my backpack over my shoulder and practically sprinting out of the classroom.

Contrary to popular belief, we still actually do theory work in Drama. Not lots, but still...

Valerie had to jog to keep up as we wove through the thick crowds of students excitedly discussing after school plans.

"Fine. My mother works late today, so it should be all good!" She affirmed, "I live just down the street."