The air is thick with tension as I make my way through the bustling hall of the command centre. My keen eyes scan the faces of my fellow students, searching for any sign of the elusive Valerie. Finally, I spot her - a striking figure with fiery red hair and a mischievous glint in her eye. This must be Ethan's cousin, whom I've been tasked with working alongside the other helpers.I approach Valerie cautiously, unsure of what to expect. "Valerie," I say, my voice level and composed. "I'm Ande. It's a pleasure to meet you."Valerie turns to face me, a coy smile playing on her lips. "Well, well, if it isn't the infamous Ande," she purrs, circling me like a predator. "Ethan's told me all about you. I must say, I'm intrigued." She leans in closer, her breath tickling my ear. "I hope we can work well together."I nod in response. I have no interest in whatever game Valerie seems to be playing. Survival is my only concern.Valerie pouts, pulling back, her expression going sour, "You're no fu
As the crowd dispersed into chaos, I remained silent, my brow furrowed in thought. A few of the students notice my detachment and approach me cautiously.Ethan and Zane were among them, immediately separating from their group with the runners and making a beeline towards me."Hey, man," the redhead starts, his eyes shining as they stare at me. I nod at them. "What do you need?" I ask dryly.Ethan smiles sheepishly. "Well, it's nothing really, just- You were right last time about the risks of escaping, and you seem to know what you're doing, so…," Ethan says, pinning me with intelligent eyes. "What's your advice now?""I appreciate the sentiment," I say, my voice low and serious. "But I don't have a plan to escape. My goal is to reach the next base camp, nothing more."The others look at me, puzzled. "But don't you want to get out of here?" Zane asks, his brow furrowed.I shake my head. "I don't think it's that simple. This whole thing feels too easy, too straightforward. The school w
My desperate pleas fall on deaf ears as more and more students begin to slow, their resolve crumbling in the face of the daunting challenge."No, No, No! What are you doing?! Don't stop running!" I yell, my face flushing with frustration. I stop, panting as I stare helplessly at the fallen group.Valerie seems at a loss as she stares behind me, clearly indecisive about whether to follow my words or go with her team."Get up if you don't want to die out here!" I shout. Thankfully, a few of them rose to their feet, Ethan and Zane helping those who couldn't get up alone.I breathe a sigh of relief, turning to continue running.Suddenly, a few of them turn on me, moving in front of me and shoving me to the ground."Who do you think you are, trying to boss us around?" one of them spits, his eyes wild with fear and defiance.I grunt as I hit the unyielding earth, the air knocked from my lungs. "Listen to me, you fools!" I growl, my voice laced with frustration. "This is all part of their p
The horde of destitute surges todestitutetheir hollow eyes and twisted frames a nightmarish sight. Ethan and I stand our ground, weapons ready, as our group scrambles to safety. "We have to hold them off!" I shout, my voice strained to keep my fear at bay. "Ethan, keep moving. Guard the front - I'll cover you!"Ethan's face is ashen, but he nods grimly. "Be careful. We can't lose you too."I offer him a grim smile. "Don't worry, I'll be right behind you." As Ethan herds the terrified students away, I turn my attention to the approaching destitute. Their moans and guttural snarls send shivers down my spine, but I steel my resolve. I can't let them reach the others.With a primal roar, I charge into the fray, the discarded pipe I picked up breaking through flesh and bone. The destitute are relentless, clawing and snapping at me with their jagged teeth. I dodge their attacks, my heart pounding in my chest.One destitute lunges at me, its bony fingers grasping for my throat. I bring
As Ethan and Zane try to shut the doors, I peer through the narrow gap and see it…….It's other people; Everette, Dale and a few members of their rapidly dwindling group are surrounded by the few destitute that aren't trying to claw their way into where we are hiding, fighting against them. They're shooting and hacking, but the destitute are relentless - their twisted, inhuman forms surging forward in a nightmarish tide. Zane and Ethan struggle to shut the heavy doors, their faces etched with fear and desperation."Wait!" I cry, pointing to the door, " There are other people out there!" The students immediately move forward, peering through the space and exclaiming when they see them outside."It's true!""Is that Everett? Does that mean they didn't escape?!" one girl cries."They going to die," "We need to help them!" I shout, bringing the din to a quiet."They aren't going to make it much longer like this…," I say in a quieter voice, my heart pounding. The sounds of the battle ou
I stare at Everett in shock, my mind reeling from her chilling words. But my moment of surprise quickly gives way to simmering anger. Rising to my feet, I glare down at her, refusing to be cowed. "What is that supposed to mean, Everett?" I spit, my voice laced with fury.Everett just looks up at me with an unreadable expression before slowly rising to her feet, her mouth twisting in distaste.I scowl at her, my temper flaring, " what did you mean by that?...," I say dangerously.Everett lifts her chin defiantly, meeting my gaze with a cold, calculating stare. "It means exactly what you think," she says, her tone dripping with malice.I clench my fists, the muscles in my jaw tightening. "Are you threatening me?" I growl.She regards me with disdain, her lips curling into a cruel smile. "Not a threat, no," she says, her long, sharp nails digging into my chest as she jabs a finger at me. "It's a promise." Each poke sends a shiver of revulsion down my spine. "Remember this, Ande," she
I swallow hard, my mouth suddenly dry, "What?"Ethan crosses his arms, his gaze piercing and unwavering. "I said you're wrong, Ande. You killed that girl, but it wasn't your fault," he says, his voice low and measured.I feel a chill run down my spine, and I have to resist the urge to take a step back. "What are you saying? How is that my fault?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.He briefly regards me before his lips curve into a bitter-sweet smile. "I'm saying that you should stop being so hard on your know Ande," he says, his words dripping with compassion, "you wanted to save everyone, I know that, but things don't always go as planned,"I cringe, the words stinging like a physical blow to my heart. "E-Ethan?" I say, but Ethan scoffs, rolling his eyes. "I mean it, ande. What happened to that girl was awful, but It wasn't your fault, and all of us believe that," he says, " and if you want to do something about that guilt you feel, then stop wallowing in your self-pity and do
As I make my way through the eerie silence, I can't help but wonder what other secrets this school is hiding. The Principal's cryptic words about the Destitutes and the sudden change in camouflage leave me with more questions than answers.I pause, my breath catching in my throat as I hear a faint rustling from around the corner. Pressing myself against the wall, I peer cautiously into the darkness. Nothing. Just the creaking of the building, the shadows playing tricks on my eyes.Exhaling slowly, I continue, my senses heightened, every creak and groan setting my nerves on edge. I can't afford to let my guard down, not for a second. The lives of my fellow students depend on it.Finally, I reached the relative safety of the closet I had claimed, locking the door behind me. Sinking onto the floor, I stare at the blinking device, my mind racing. What does the Principal have planned? And how much more blood will be spilled before this nightmare ends?I shudder, the weight of my actions