Deadwood Stains

10: Hark

[ Hark ]

I heard a huge crash that startled me from a deep sleep. The sound was made by me, falling off from a chair.

“Ugghh..that hurts." I moaned as I rubbed the part that kissed the floor from my fall.

I was in the control room and I realized that it was dark already. Screens for the cctv cameras were arranged in a row in front of me. Alongside of it were the control units for certain devices in the area and a central processing unit connected to the main system of the school. Alert and awake, I gathered my senses back.

Huh? Why are the lights turned off? Brownout? Why isn't the generator working, then?

Questions about my current situation popped into my psyche in several throngs. I grabbed a flashlight from one of my waist pocket and turned it on.

“Sir Brown? Jack? Where are you two? Anybody? " I bellowed.

I searched the place yet I found no one. It was raining outside when I shifted through the windows.

Silence.

What on earth? They are supposed to be here by now.

This never happened before.

I was greatly agitated not knowing where they went. I tried to reach them on the walkie-talkie yet all I can hear was static. Anxiety invaded my consciousness as I realized that I was all alone in the place.

I am alone. School's out of spark. How can I guard this place by myself?

Then I heard a loud thud coming from the entrance. I thought it was them but I brushed off the idea as it dawned into me. They have spare keys. They don't need to force the door open. Tensed by the event, I tiptoed with caution as I approach the corridors.

Then I heard voices. I can't filter it enough so I went closer. Then the sounds were gone. If they were burglars, I might have alerted them. I stepped on the other side and found another way around them. Moving like the breeze I stopped when I was about a few feet away from one.

“We better get going. Coast seems clear."  A voice of a man said. This enforced me to do a move all of a sudden.

“Hold it right there." I said with authority. I pointed my gun on one of the culprit's side. I warned them not to do anything stupid. It nodded and turned around for a better view. I lightened their faces with my flashlight. I was thrown off when I realized that they were students.

I got mad at them and explained the consequences of such actions. They even murdered an innocent door, for goodness sake. It did not help when they told me that they did it out of desperation- telling me there's a monster on the school grounds that tried to eat them or someshit. I laughed, of course, finding the idea absurd.

Then, the blonde petite student showed her twisted ankle and the other boy's bleeding wound on his right arm. I became suspicious if the wound was just from an accident from one of their dares. She pleaded  me to take them home but a redhead whispered something at another. I was annoyed and told them to stay for a while even if I really don't want kids here. The gate can't be opened without electricity. I know that too well.

Conscience struck me, knowing they were all soaked by the rain. I led them on one of our rooms to dry themselves up. I grabbed some clothes for the small girl and pointed some of mine on the others. I left them there shortly as I reflect on what they told me.

The storm continuously attacked the place without mercy.

I went outside, searching for my colleagues and kept an eye out for the imaginary monster. Just in case they were telling the truth.

But of course, that's just a lame excuse.

I reasoned out.

The downpour blurred my view as it neared its climatic ferocity. My frock was tossed and turned by the wind as I held it closer to my body. The flashlight was not helping me much to see better.

Good thing my stuff's all waterproof.

I marched a few good distance and noticed that I was in front of the school building.

Maybe they are on rounds or something.

But that was quite impossible specially at such situation. During such times, we would be by now sharing some hot coffee in our room as we let the fury of the weather pass the night by.

I was too much focused on my own thoughts when I entered the building. I let my capote dry on a side as I fumbled for my gun. Due to the cold, it accidentally slipped off from my shaky hand and clanged on the floor.

Shit.

I went for it but I unknowingly tripped on an object and the flashlight came second. It went off. I slapped my forehead for such idiocy.

Arghhh! Hope its not busted. Darn it, I don't want to grope my way through the night.

Fumbling in the dark, I tried to seize it with my hands by feeling what is ahead of me.

I heard movement somewhere near my spot so I hurriedly grabbed for the flashlight. Just in the nick of time, I found it and turned it on.

My eyes widened.

The hairs on my back stood still with horror as chills covered my whole body. Thunder roared after a flash of lightning.

A scream was heard.