I stood still, looking straight at the man that was blocking the door next to Tom, I couldn't do anything, frozen still in fear.
The man stepped over Tom's body, slowly approaching me, step by step. It was a man in a black coat and hat that was covering his face, holding a blood-covered knife.
I could still not believe what just happened, the only thing I could feel is the killing intent radiating from that man, the serial killer?
'What will you do boy, will you just die?' An unknown male voice whispered in my head.
'It killed your friend...' He said to me. 'and now you'll end up like him?'
He kept on approaching slowly, I could hear him breathe, it sounded as if he was suffocating with each breath he took in as if he was choking.
Without hesitation, he kept on getting closer and closer and at that moment something snapped in my head while I panicked, breaking the handle off the broomstick, pointing at the person approaching. Squeezing it tightly and trembling with fear at the same time.
There were only a few meters between us which were enough for me to hit his head and make a run for it while he is distracted, looking at the exit for a moment. I took my chance and stepped forward, bashing the handle on his head as hard as I could but that ...
That had no effect whatsoever.
Taking a small step backward from confusion, I felt something warm on my skin, going from the neck down and as I looked, I could see my white shirt had been stained with blood. My throat has been cut open without me even witnessing the attack.
I fell on the floor unable to breathe and my body weakened as I struggled and coughed. 'Pathetic.'
I didn't know what to do or how to respond, all I could think is that I don't wanna die or see my friends hurt. The pool of blood kept on growing and my eyesight blurred, seeing the figure slowly walking away from me as I tried reaching out my hand forward, trying to move while holding my throat.
'I'll give you this chance but remember.' The voice echoed in my head once again. Trying to communicate with me as I began to lose my conciseness.
'Nothing comes for free.'
My eyes opened slowly, looking around as I noticed I was in my bed right before the morning alarm rang. Ears ringing and my head pounding from the pain and being dehydrated as if I had not had water for days. Looking around the room, nothing had changed and I barely had any strength to get up.
The TV repeated the exact same message as before while I chugged down a bottle of water in the kitchen, looking out of the window and seeing a dark sky. The rain hit the windows as it began to fall and thunder grew louder once again.
***
The last lecture continued and the new student was sitting next to me once again, exact same events unfolded before my eyes as I could not believe that what I saw in the dream was true. I exhaled slowly while looking out of the window, watching the rain, thinking to myself that it was not possible, remembering the events in the storage room.
But right before the bell rang, something caught my attention as I looked down, noticing that there was someone walking slowly in the rain. The downfall was so strong that it was difficult for anyone to see anything outside at the time however one thing stood out.
It was a person in a long coat and a hat.
I looked in shock with my eyes wide open, remembering all the events that have unfolded previously. I pulled out my phone quickly and texted Thomas and Leo below the desk, telling them that I'll take care of the gym maintenance by myself today and for them to go home instead.
At the time, June had noticed my actions and behavior change without me noticing, looking down at my phone and then looking away as if she had not seen anything as she smiled slightly.
There was no time to waste.
"Are you sure you want to do it alone?" Tom said to me next to the lockers after the bell rang, preparing his book before he leaves.
"It's ok man, I got nothing to do after so might as well." I said to him nervously.
He stood still for a second and looked at me. "Did something happen?"
"It's nothing." I replied again. "Just wanted to make up for all the slacking." I laughed, trying to come up with an excuse for him to leave. By that time, Leo had already made his way.
The thunder was heard again in the background, as the students slowly passed by Tom and me. It didn't take much time for him to pack up his things and make a move also.
"See you tomorrow." He said while walking away and waving his hand.
"Oh yeah and by the way, be careful, you already know how many people went missing." He replied right before he turned with a serious face.
"Will do." I waved back.
After most of the students and staff had left, I made my way to the wood workshop which was close by the gym, the door was always locked however I knew that they almost never close the window. While avoiding most of the people and trying to sneak, I overheard two teachers gossiping in the corridor as I hid behind the wall under the window outside.
"I still can not believe they allowed this to happen. Are they going completely insane? This is dangerous for everyone." One of the teachers said as she pressed the button on the coffee machine, refilling her cup.
With the rain and thunder in the background, most of my footsteps and breathing were unnoticed.
"They had no other choice. This was the only way to get rid of it." Someone replied. "Without her, the school will be forced to close down."
"But with her here, it will be even more dangerous for the kids." She said.
She sounded confused, just how I was at the time. The whispers quieted down and I heard them walking away by the tapping of their heels, still talking.
It made no sense about what they were talking but I could assume it was about June as there is no one else that would stand out, and with recent events, this made the most logical sense.
After making my way further, being outside close to the rain yet covered by the small roof next to the building, I finally made my way to the windows of the workshop.
Peeking inside through the corner, there was no one and the lights were off.
The windows were closed this time however the workshop was an old building and the windows were closed on a small hook, which is easily undone by something thin through the crack.
I pulled out my wallet and grabbed my student card, slipping it through and pulling up the hook which then opened the window, allowing me to get inside.
Looking around, I made my way to the wall which had a set of tools, picking up a chisel and a hammer.
I picked the tools and got ready, tucking them behind my back as I made my way to the gym slowly.
Hiding behind the gym equipment, pulling out the tools I got, I was ready to defend myself and for the safety of my friends.
[Step... step... step...]
He approached, each step sounded louder the closer he came to me.
His choking-sounding breathing could still be heard and this indicated that the past, was no dream... I made my move as he got closer.