Event Horizon

Orientation

   Walks through the nearby wilderness are always a joy, it's so serene...

   The schoolhouse isn't too far, it's a hop and a skip over a river, then it's just following the obvious path made from people taking this route for so long. I stayed close to my parents on the way there, and I knew we were getting close once I started seeing other people along the path again.

   The first person I saw was this Charmander, couldn't have been a day older than me. He was walking alone for some odd reason, no guardian or adult nearby, he looked competent though, so I didn't prod at him with questions. The second was a family of Sandslash of the ice variant, with their child, a tiny Sandshrew, who seemed barely old enough to walk, she seemed to stumble about back and forth; probably tripped three or four times in a row. Not very sure why she is here...

   There were others there, but I didn't get a good look at them. From what I can guess, I'd have about five to nine classmates. The air was filled with conversation of what to expect and what will happen during the school-year. Once I could see the building in the distance, my head buzzed with random questions, most on, y'know, the thing I'm about to do, but intrusive thoughts sometimes burst in.

   What will I do here? Who will be teaching me? What'll happen? Those few questions were what I was thinking of upon nearing the entrance. The schoolyard was vast, nestled in a shallow valley. In the northwest of the schoolyard was a building, which I could assume is where classes are held. I saw people headed inside, so I and my parents went that way.

   "Hello all!" An Altaria cheerfully said, "Welcome to East Wells!" East Wells was the name of the school, I assume.

   "My name is Ms. Ayashe, and I will be teaching your children for the coming school-year," She then looked towards the parents and said, "I will take your children on a short tour of the school grounds, you may follow along if you want,"

   After hearing that, my parents asked if I wanted them to follow along, I responded with a blunt "If you want to," to which they simply decided to stay back.

   We first went outside where recess and physical education is held. The field gave me a chance to get a good look at my classmates. Obviously, there was the Charmander and Alolan Sandshrew that I mentioned before, but there was four others.

   First was a Paniward, he had his hands at his sides, and he was looking around as if either he was bored or extremely interested in the colour of the sky today. Second was a Timburr, minus the board of wood I usually see them hefting. She was asking several questions about the routine they'd have in P.E. class.

   Third was a quiet Skiddo, they sat and listened carefully to what Ms. Ayashe had to say. They seemed like were the type to never talk, only respond. They didn't make it obvious of their personality other than they were quiet. Fourthly, there was a very obviously bored Krokorok, he was sat down and their head hung low, the only thing thing to make it more obvious is if he was snoring. He seemed to be a friend of the previously mentioned Paniward, sometimes leaning over to whisper something, and then the two giggle like clowns.

   Sheesh, It's hot out here...

   We followed Ms. Ayashe inside the classroom. It was a single room building, a board was at the end with Ayashe's name on it and someone else's, 'Mrs. Clarell' was written.

   Everyone seemed to be doing their own thing in the classroom, getting used to it and asking questions to the Teacher. Once I got a chance to speak to Ms. Ayashe myself, I inquired who was the other person who's name was written on the wall.

   "Who's this 'Mrs. Clarell' woman?"

   "Oh! You seem to be the only who noticed. Clarell is my new assistant, but she's out sick today, she'll be back by the time the school year starts," Ayashe explained swiftly. "Say, I haven't caught your name yet, do you mind telling?"

   "Bax is what everyone calls me," I told her, "My full name is too unnecessarily long," I say dismissively.

   "Oh, you're Dontrell and Evonne's foster child, right?"

   "Right," I replied. I didn't know my parents real name, but I can take a guess 'Dontrell' is Father and 'Evonne' is Mother.

   "Oh, I taught that Swampert when he was still young!"

   She went on a long winded account of when my father was younger. I'm going to be honest, I wasn't paying attention at all.

   The day was calm with a low buzz of activity. I could hear everyone in the room, yet I couldn't at the same time due to how many voices were heard at once. I felt calm, relaxed.

   Then I heard a loud, bloodcurdling scream.