Deadwood Stains

3: Jump

[Jump]

How did I got here?

I gaped at my surroundings. The tangerine sky stretched widely above the horizon and patches of dark clouds hovered above me. The school's open field is the last place I'll choose to take a nap. I clumsily pulled myself up.

What am I doing sleeping in a place like this?

Kicking an empty can, I reminisced the memories I had in here. I can't remember anything...except that day.

Flashes of past events played at the back of my mind.

My face was  swollen and blood was gushing out from my broken nose.

They cackled like ugly hyenas and somehow my blurry vision made them looked like one.

Continuous kicking broke some of my bones and I whimpered in pain. The blows suddenly stopped but then something warm trickled on me.

'That's what you get for standing up to us, asshole!'

I clenched my fist to the repulsive memory. I growled through confusion.

I stomped on the newly mown grass and observed that I am pretty much isolated. Based on the sun and angle of the shadows, I estimated time.

Afternoon. Roughly five and a half? But why can't I see a single soul? This place used to be full of those people infested with athlete's foot.

This felt portentous. I thought of the possibilities of things. I was alone and got no single idea how the hell I arrived in such predicament. Preparing myself, I walked with caution.

I need to get away from here. This feels like a horror movie where the ending is pretty nasty.

I hastily jogged my way out of the school grounds. I had enough money on my pocket for transport. My intuition told me not to go back even if I left some of my stuff.

Forget the bag, go home.

It was getting dark and the temperature dropped. From afar, I can speculate that the school gate was closed. I need to inspect further to know if I can do anything about it just to get out. 

“Drats! It won't open. Am I trapped here for the night?" I cursed loudly. The gate was locked all over. The option of going over the wall was preposterous. The walls were approximately 20 ft in height and the precipice was filled with coiled barb wires.

What is this all about?!

My frustration was building. I banged on the gate.

Okay. Calm down. Find other ways. This is just a piece of cake.

All of a sudden, a drop cooled my face. I stared at the sky and it seems like it was about to rain. I had no choice but to go back inside the building. Even though it was against my will, I don't want to be soaked.

Maybe I can approach some school personnel to open it up for me.

As I approach the school building, I heard sounds of glasses breaking. It was from a window on the second floor.

“Jump!"

“Are you insane?!"

“Stop bickering and start moving. Here it comes!"

“W-wait!!"

A familiar voice argued with another. Then a shriek was heard.

Someone jumped from the window and it crashed through some bushes. Another one did the same thing.

Alarmed by the sudden turn of events, I went to the source of turmoil.

What I saw by the window made me freeze with fright.

Ho*y shit.