Chereads / earth orc / Chapter 334 - 41

Chapter 334 - 41

"Look," you say, taking a step towards her. "Do you know what's going to happen if we don't pull together? If we don't get past our differences? People are going to die. It's not going to matter if they're human or undead—all of us." You move closer, seeing Grace's eyes widen as you approach. "Burned, beheaded, ripped apart. That's what I've seen; that's what's waiting for us if we can't fix this or if we can't work together."

Grace has no answer. It is, you have to admit, a big concept.

After a moment, she nods silently, her eyes on the floor.

You and Grace walk forward, joining the others. "All right," you say. "Let's get moving; job's almost done."

"Wait a second."

You turn, looking at the floating figure of Renault, who's frowning slightly. "What?"

The specter gestures at the school around him. "Haven't you noticed how quiet it is? There's usually people hanging around everywhere, and we sent Fritz, Val, and Romilly to take a message to the others." He looks at you. "Why aren't they back?"

Silence falls over your group. That only makes you more aware of the silence that fills the rest of the school. Renault is right: there should be far more noise, even if it's just the ambient sound of plenty of bodies moving about. There's none of that now. The only sound is coming from the seven of you.

Michelle scowls. "Where the hell are they?"

"They could just be slacking off," Will says fairly. "It's either stay outside or be in class, right?"

Max and Sonia both shake their heads. "Not my pack," Max says flatly. "If I give them an order, then it's obeyed, even if I have to send it through a messenger."

"Same here," Sonia says. "Authority's a bit more…physical in the undead world, Will. They'd not stay out if we told them to come back."

Your group exchange glances. Finally, Max says, "I don't like it. We should have a look around, see what's going on."

You nod. "Good idea."

"I think we should split up," you say. "Cover the main rooms, then meet back up here in thirty minutes."

There's a certain amount of glances exchanged at your words, as your group quickly navigates different alliances and ongoing vendettas.

"Which room has the least amount of eldritch activity going on in it?" Will asks eventually. "I think I could probably handle that one."

"There's the library," Michelle offers. "There's never anyone there even when things are going well, but you may be able to get some information about whatever's going on." She thinks for a moment. "I'll check the dorm rooms. If anyone's not mind-controlled, they might have decided to bunker down there. Or grab a nap."

Max nods. "Decent idea. I'll check the gym. There's some…" He shrugs. "Well, let's call it 'a substance' that might be able to help us out if this gets much more intense."

"Well, while the werewolf's off on his drugs run," Sonia says, "I'll check the classrooms. There could still be a teacher or two knocking around here. Might be good to get some advice."

"I should stop here," Renault says. "If anything happens, I can get to all of you pretty fast."

"And I'll just stay here, too," Grace announces, sinking down onto the sofa. "You know, get my head right."

The group looks at you, apparently waiting to hear your decision.