The Underworld

Chapter 2

Anxious. That was the aura by now. Sitplaces were stranded and the movement was focused on the windows. The sight was horrifying, yet amusing at the same time. I always found amusement in others' hardships. Maybe it reassured me in a way?

There was only mere gasping. No words were spoken. The towering figures of buildings fell at a steady pace. As if there was irony hidden in the aftershock which seemed the scariest.
Each thundering seems to seep closer. The thuds and crashes were now off timing. Each shake became quickened. Faster. More ruthless.

By this time, Noelle had scurried to the other side of the room. Back against the wall, she looked like she had continuously. Her mouth moved continuously. I heard something inaudible. With a step to closen space, I heard more clearly. Counting. Why was she counting? My eyebrows furrowed at the thought. Then it snapped...she was counting the seconds between each quake!  This would determine how fast the shakes would corner its way to us.

A low creek could be heard above us. The wirring became louder and so did the sharp sound afterward. The sound rang through our ears and ,out of instinct, we covered our ears to block out any other sounds. It was the intercom that went off. Probably struggled to hold connection. It worked again but cut off mid-sentence. Third time's the charm, they say. It was true. The last time, it finally reached signal and a feminine voice spoke in a raspy voice. It was well rushed, but everyone felt under pressure.

The women's voice was formal and fluent," Dear students and personnel. We would like to inform you that this situation is set for an emergency vacation. Please do this at a responsible and calmful manner. This is to be taken seriously and single filing is to be adjured. "

Without hesitation, the whole class erupted out of the classroom, into the hallway. Noelle and I stayed behind, leaving our thoughts to wonder. There was a lifeless stare from her. As if she died right there. Our thoughts of escaping were pended. I immediately realized the short time we had. Without hesitation, I tugged her at the arm and pulled her with me up until the second floor. The elevators were out of service, due to power cutting. The stairs were the second-best option. Our legs carried us to the second floor.

The trip was tiring and contained a lot of speed. We were directed to a classroom due to the shake that had caused a blockage by the escape route. Everyone was instructed to stay calm and not make a scene. A lot of shot nerves could do a nation wonders, as if it caused instant unity.

A lot of crouched figures, pushed in corners, hid under various furniture that was available. Like that was a way to hide from your problems...
I noticed that the personnel looked bleak and lifeless. As if it was the end. Exaggeration of intensity made people fly into another room across the hallway. Coincidently, the surges of waves became to closen. The rumble of the building meant that pressure was on one side of the building. The other side would be pushed and the edges would start to break. Seeping a tear in the whole building, finally collapsing on the ground. Ruins, along with bodies, in the dust.

The creak started to emphasize. Everyone already tried to jump out, suicide, or block out the situation. It landed in falling over other people's feet. I occasionally watched people call "timber" to the ground. Soft landing by kissing the floor.

At this time, Noelle went silent. I turned my head to look at her. Her expression made my brow furrow. She would constantly stare at the ground in silence, probably deep in thought. Occasionally she would look up and meet my burning gaze. Funny what the fate of death does to you, makes the cogwheels in your brain work overtime.

Steps further, we tried to get out of the shouting crowding. There was a constant shove, bump, or cuss that would make me swear a nun out of a church. We finally made it to the cafeteria. Platters were scattered all over the floor. Like the held on dreams broken in pieces in a matter of moments. Those dreams would never come to though again or even have a chance to whisper in someone else's ear. Every body, every broken
dream.

The moaning and creak of the building caused it to shake slightly.
The rumble began to raise alarm. Everyone started to whiten as the building swayed lightly. With closed eyes, you could imagine a mother swaying her baby into a wonderful slumber. It continuously rocked until it stopped suddenly and the structure started to break. The support was failing. Poor weight lift made the ceiling start to crack. The dust fell through the tiny parchments. Tiny fragments caused suffocation and the amount of sand become enlarged.

As the cracks widened, we saw the sunlight seep through. The blissful momentarily sunlight became interrupted by a blinding sharp pain that made me fall unconscious.