SURVIVAL

Teacher's Debate

The sun had barely kissed the horizon when the faculty lounge buzzed with anticipation. Mr. Collins, a man whose eyes always held a spark of adventure, was pacing at the front, waiting for the head teacher, Mrs. Winters, to call the meeting to order.

"Alright, everyone, settle down," Mrs. Winters' voice cut through the chatter like a knife. "We have a serious discussion ahead of us.

"Mr. Collins leaned against the chalkboard, arms folded. "We're not just teachers; we're pioneers on the brink of discovery. Taking the students to the woods could change everything we know about the red virus."A murmur of agreement rippled through the room.

"But is it safe, Mr. Collins?" asked Mrs. Green, her voice laced with concern. "The woods are unpredictable, and the virus is...""Deadly," Mr. Collins finished for her. "Yes, but we've been cooped up in fear for too long. It's time we face this head-on.

"Mrs. Winters nodded solemnly. "I agree. However, we must take every precaution. The board has given their reluctant approval, but we are under strict guidelines."The room erupted with questions, but Mr. Collins raised his hand for silence.

The faculty lounge was abuzz with a cacophony of voices, each one laden with concern, excitement, or outright fear. At the center of the storm stood Mr. Collins, his eyes alight with the fire of determination.

"Colleagues, I understand your apprehensions," Mr. Collins began, his voice cutting through the noise like a knife. "But think of the knowledge we could gain from the woods!" Mrs. Henderson scoffed, crossing her arms.

"And what about the risks, Collins? The red virus is no child's play. We could be sending them into a trap!"Mr. Collins turned to her, his gaze unwavering. "Isn't it a greater risk to let the virus spread unchecked? We have a chance to find a cure!"

Dr. Peters, the chemistry teacher, chimed in, his voice a soothing baritone. "I must agree with Collins. Our students are capable, and we'll take every precaution. Science demands courage.

"The head teacher, Mrs. Winter, had been silent, observing the debate with a furrowed brow. Now, he stood, and the room fell into an expectant hush.

"Enough," Mr. Davis said firmly. "I've made my decision. Mr. Collins, prepare your expedition. We go into the woods.

"A collective gasp filled the room, but before anyone could protest, the bell rang, signaling the end of the meeting. The teachers filed out whispers of what was to come trailing behind them.

Mr. Collins lingered, gathering his notes, when Mrs. Henderson approached him, her expression softening."Be careful, Collins," she said quietly. "We can't afford to lose you or any of those kids.

"He nodded solemnly. "I know, and we will be. Thank you, Helen."

As the last of the teachers left, Mr. Collins couldn't shake the feeling that they were all stepping into the unknown. Little did he know, the woods held secrets darker than the red virus itself.And so, with the fate of their school and perhaps humanity itself teetering on the edge of a knife, the leaving a question hanging in the air like the sword of Damocles: What awaited them in the heart of the woods?

Meanwhile Mrs. Winter took Mr. Collins and some teachers as they have a private discussion.

"We'll split into groups, each with a radio and a first-aid kit. We'll have hourly check-ins, and no one goes off the trail. Understood?"The teachers nodded, some with excitement, others with trepidation.As the meeting adjourned, Mrs. Winters pulled Mr. Collins aside. "There's something you're not telling us. I can see it in your eyes.

"Mr. Collins hesitated, then whispered, "There's a reason the board agreed so easily. They think we might find something else out there... something more valuable than a cure.

"Mrs. Winters gasped. "You mean the—""Yes," he interrupted, "the rumored source of the virus. It's a long shot, but if it's true…

"A noise came through, signaling the start of the day, cutting their conversation short. They exchanged a look that carried the weight of their unspoken fears.

The day passed in a blur, and as the final bell rang, the students were abuzz with the upcoming adventure. Little did they know, the woods held secrets that could alter their lives forever.That night, as Mr. Collins prepared his pack, his phone rang. An unknown number. He answered."Is it ready?" a voice hissed from the other end.Mr. Collins' eyes narrowed.

"Almost. But if this goes south, it's on you."The line went dead. Mr. Collins stared at the phone, a chill running down his spine.The next morning, as the sun rose, the students boarded the buses, chattering with excitement. Mr. Collins took his seat, looking out at the thickening woods with a sense of foreboding.

As the buses disappeared into the heart of the forest, a shadowy figure watched from a distance, a twisted smile spreading across their face.The adventure had begun, but the true journey lay in the darkness between the trees, where whispers of the past waited to be unearthed.And as the wheels of the bus crunched over the gravel, a single thought echoed in Mr. Collins' mind: What have I gotten us into?

The buses come to a sudden, jarring stop. Screams echo from the front. Mr. Collins rushes to the driver's side, only to find the driver slumped over the wheel, a mysterious symbol etched into his forehead. The students look to Mr. Collins for answers, but all he can offer is a stunned silence. The woods seem to close in around them, and a voice, barely more than a whisper, drifts through the trees."Welcome to the heart of the woods, where your true test begins.

The students, a mix of fear and curiosity painted on their faces, turned to each other with hushed tones.

"What's happening, Mr. Collins?" asked Sarah, a bright-eyed girl with a penchant for adventure.

"I'm not sure," he replied, his voice steady despite the uncertainty that gripped him. "But stay close, and don't wander off. We need to figure out what's going on."

As they disembarked, the forest seemed to swallow the light, the trees towering like silent sentinels.

A fog began to roll in, thick and suffocating, and with it, a sense of unease that settled over the group."Should we call for help?" another student, Ben, suggested, his hand already on his phone."No signal," Mr. Collins said, checking his own device. "We're on our own for now."A rustling in the bushes caught their attention, and a figure stepped out. It was a woman, her hair wild and her eyes piercing.