I knock firmly, and the door swings open to reveal Everett, a smug grin on her face. "Well, well, if it isn't our resident hero," she says, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Feeling any better, Ande?" I scowl at her, my anger bubbling to the surface. "Cut the crap, Everett. Everyone knows you're a spy, and the principal wants something from me. So, tell me, what is it they're after?" Everett laughs humorlessly as she steps aside, gesturing for me to enter. "Come on in, Ande. Let's talk." I hesitate momentarily, but my desire for answers overrides my caution. I push past her and step into the room, glaring at her. She shrugs and closes the door behind us, flopping onto her bed with an air of nonchalance that only serves to irritate me further "So, what is it?" I demand, my voice low and dangerous. "What is the principal after?" I pause, my eyes narrowing dangerously, "And lie to me, Everett and I promise I'll kill you first " Everett laughs, sitting up and fixing me with a ca

I don't need to be told twice. Adrenaline surging, I bolt through the darkness, weaving through the corridors; my heart was beating faster than a dog's; I could count the few seconds to the end of me. I had to stay alive even when I was out of breath and wanted to give up; I couldn't, I had to keep running. Despite my words of encouragement to myself I had to face my unfortunate reality, they were faster, their footsteps gaining on me. I can hear their jeers and taunts, spurred on by the thrill of a hunt, it's a matter of seconds before I meet my end. "Dammit!" I yelled as I picked up the pace. Suddenly, a figure looms out of the shadows, blocking my path. I skid to a halt, my breath catching in my throat. It's one of my classmates, a boy with green eyes and a shaped, twisted grin as he advances, a utensil knife glinting in his hand."End of the line, Ande," he sneers wickedly. "Time to die." This was it.I backpedal frantically, my heart pounding in my ears, as I scanned for an e

Ande, leaning against the wall, doing his best to ignore Ethan's body lying on the floor, suddenly jerks upright.Pawing at his pockets, he frowns and pulls out the blue communicator he had found in that dead girl. He narrows his eyes at the device.Since that day, he's always carried it on his person no matter where he was going, and today wasn't any different.The device buzzes again, static crackling, and he pauses his brow furrowing. The blinking starts."I have a special message for you, Ande," a voice suddenly echoes through the hallway, and I can see the realisation dawn on his face."Principal," he breathes, his grip tightening on the device."Ah, Ande, my dear boy," I purr, my voice resonating through the speakers. "I must admit, I'm impressed. I didn't think you had it in you to survive this long. I must congratulate you on your remarkable display of resilience. Unfortunately, I underestimated your will to survive."Ande's jaw tightens, and he glares defiantly at the blin

Just then, I hear the sound of clapping.Whipping my head back, I glare at the rapidly approaching figure of Mr. Blackwood. The new teacher strolls up to me, clapping enthusiastically, a manic glint in his eyes, "Bravo, Ande!" He smiles in an exaggerated display of approval."You've done so well to survive!" he exclaims. "So, what will you do now?"Without hesitation, I grab Everett by the arm and wrench it, dislocating it with a sickening crack. She howls in pain, her minions recoiling in terror. "Now, we're even," I say, glaring at the man. "You've wasted enough of my time."The man's eyes widen in surprise, but he quickly regains his composure. "Impressive, Ande. I can see why the principal has taken such an interest in you."I scoff, crossing my arms over my chest. "I'm not interested in your games or the principal's 'rewards.' Just my freedom."Levering him with a sneer, I place my hand against my pocket, where my knife sits in my pants, "Now," I drawl, "if you'll excuse us?"

As I close my eyes in despair, Mr. Blackwood speaks again, drawing my attention. "Ah, one more thing, students," he says, his voice saccharine-sweet. "I wanted to reiterate that your regular classes will resume as normal. Your teachers will return shortly, so I expect you to be on your best behaviour."The students around me erupt into nervous whispers, their faces etched with apprehension. I can practically feel the tension in the air as they wonder what the return of the teachers will mean for them.Mr. Blackwood, however, seems unfazed by their unease. He flashes us all a painfully fake smile, his eyes glinting with something akin to amusement. "Now, now, don't look so worried," he says, his tone dripping with false concern. "I'm sure your teachers are just as eager to see you all as you are to see them."I can't help but let out a bitter snort at his words. The school does seem to have it out for me. Why did they have to add the fucking teachers to the equation?!As if I don't