ContamiNation

The Knife

We lined up in the hallway in order of last names. Teachers were given ribbons of all kinds to give to the students. Everyone had to wrap theirs around their head, neck, and, if it was a bright color and thick enough, wrist.

Some exchanged theirs for other colors even though the teachers advised against it. After everyone got their ribbons, they had to write their color next to their name on the attendance.

Originally I got blue. I've always loved blue, and this was the most vibrant sky blue. I did, however, have a preference for dark blues. But I couldn't help but want to exchange it for the blood red ones that the 'nerd boys' were coveting. Cassie, Michael, Amber, Sicilia, Alex, and Dom were going after the light blue ones. Everyone else just seemed to go for their favorite colors.

Cassie came up to me. "Wanna trade? I'll give you mine," A red.

I hesitated, greed setting in making me want every color. But a red...I silently handed it to her hoping against all odds that whatever is making these people go crazy weren't attracted to bright colors.

"Thanks."

I regretted giving her what she wanted. I really did not like her but maybe she'd get infected and drop it. Or I'd find someone else's. No matter where we go, what we do, I am going to collect ever color.

The list passed to me. They'd gone from the end of the line to the front. I looked for my name and put a small R next to the little cross near my name signifying a allergy or medical condition.

I tugged my phone out of my pocket looking at the last few messages.

M: Are you safe?

Me: Yes, you?

M: Yes, they put us in a safe house. You know Terrence, he's always thinking ahead. He's evacuated everyone from his companies and their families. Don't worry, Dad's fine. They got him out already. We tried to get you but the school has their own system and I've checked it, it's a good system. If anything happens get to this address.

There was a map, a plan, and details about where people are going.

Me: Don't worry about me either. If I don't come in with the school, or if something happens on the way. I can take care of myself and you know it. I'll get to you one way of another as long as this map is still used.

M: Don't do anything stupid. Follow their instructions. I love you.

Me: I love you, too.

Don't do anything stupid, I was so going to do something stupid.

"Ok, everyone be quiet!" Our principle was at the front of the hallway by the closed doors. "There are buses waiting outside to take us out of the city. They'll then be quarantining us and closing down the borders. Everyone be quiet! We need to be as quiet as possible." Nobody was listening.

One of the younger teachers, Mr. Sidney, stood on a chair and yelled, "Everyone listen up!" It went dead silent. Principal West started to open her mouth but Mr. Sidney beat her to it. "Ok, how many of you watch The Walking Dead?" Some hands went up. "Ok, how many of you have heard, seen, or follow any sort of Apocalypse movie?" Everyone put their hands up. I stifled a laugh when I saw every teacher do the same. Mr. Sidney smiled, "Ok, that's better. Now if all of these movies, TV shows, whatnots, they need to be careful, stealthy, quiet. So, no one dies. Well guess what: You are all in that show now. Who wants to die?"

I raised my hand, along with some other students. All the way on the other side of the hallway I see Lilly. I wave my raised hand at her, she does the same.

"That was rhetorical, but nice to know you still have a sense of humor."

Someone called out from the back, "It's not a joke. We want to die." A few murmurs of agreement.

"Well, we're responsible for you. So if you really want to die just wait until you're back with your parents and then do what you want. I, for one, don't want to deal with lawsuits at the end of the world, thank you very much." He paused, waiting. Then, "Let's go, quiet."

This time, we listened.

In the chaos of 957 students making their way out of the school I got lost in the crowd. Bouncing around until I found Lilly. I grabbed her arm dragging her to the side.

"We have to get out of here." I whisper.

Josh, Adam, Chris, Phil, Brit, and Melanie push their way to us. Josh asking what we're talking about, Adam looking terrified but as soon as he spots me he calms down a little and Phil is pulling something out of his dark green parka to show to Chris.

"We need to get out of here." I repeated.

Melanie asked, "Why?"

"I'm not risking the greatest adventure since ever because of safety plus we're safer away from them. The government is crooked and only cares about the rich. The school is worse than negligent." I was about to continue when a teacher spotted us and brought more just in case they had to physically drag us to "safety".

I glance at Phil. He had his grass green ribbon tied around his head like a bandana. He's sliding whatever it is back into his pocket. He looks at me and tugs it out for me to see—a hunter's knife; one edge sharp, the other serrated. Holy shit, I nod.