The moment I approached the dormitory gate, a small group of soldiers was standing just outside the gate, their stern faces barely visible beneath the heavy gear. I kept my head down, trying to blend in with the eerily deserted environment. As I neared the exit, a figure stepped into my path. My heart hammered in my chest as I looked up into the face of a soldier, his stern gaze boring into mine.
"Where do you think you're going?" he demanded, his voice rough and edged with authority.
"I...um...I just needed some fresh air," I tried to keep my voice steady, hoping he would let me pass.
"You're supposed to stay in your room," he growled, "Didn't you hear the announcement?"
"I...I...yes," I stuttered, struggling to come up with an excuse, "I just..."
Before I could finish, the soldier shoved me back, the force of his push sending me stumbling backward.
"Get back inside!" he barked, his tone brooking no argument. The back of my knees hit the dorm steps, and I nearly tumbled down.
Regaining my footing, I glared up at him, "Woah there, no need for violence now."
"You need to follow orders, kid," he snapped back, pointing towards the dorm entrance, "Now get back inside before I have to drag you in."
"Alright!" I held up both hands, then turned around and began to walk away.
But as I walk away, I couldn't help but turn around one more time, as I saw the previous soldiers taking out a giant padlock and locking the dorm from outside. The metallic clank as the lock clicked shut echoed in the silent hallways, the sound a grim reminder of our confinement. My heart pounded in my chest as I stood there, the gravity of our situation sinking in. We were not just on lockdown anymore; we were prisoners in our own home.
***
Back in our room, I found James sitting on his bed, an expression of worry etched on his face.
"What happened?" He asked, his eyes scanning my disheveled appearance.
"Man, you wouldn't believe it." I slumped down on my bed, my heart still racing. "They've locked us in. We're not just on lockdown. We're prisoners in our own campus."
James's eyes widened, "Wait, they locked the dorms? Like, with a padlock?"
"Like with a giant padlock." I confirmed, my voice grim. "The soldiers... they're not messing around, James."
"But... why? What's the point?" He asked, running his fingers through his hair.
"I don't know. Control, maybe? Fear? Could be a lot of reasons. But whatever it is, I don't think it's for our safety."
James was silent for a moment, processing what I'd just told him. "So, what do we do now?"
"I think... I think we need to get out of here, James," I replied. "Pack your bag, grab whatever you think is necessary. We need to find a way out."
"What about the soldiers? What if they catch us?"
I shrugged, "We'll have to be careful. We need to avoid them at all costs."
James nodded, his expression resolute. "Alright, let's do this."
As we began to gather our stuff, I couldn't help but think about the situation we were in. This was supposed to be a place of learning, a sanctuary. But now, it felt more like a prison, with us as the unwilling inmates.
The university we loved, the place we called home, had turned into a fortress overnight. Soldiers patrolling the grounds, imposing curfews, and enforcing their rule. It was a surreal experience, one that I never thought I'd have to endure.
As I zipped up my backpack, I glanced over at James. He was carefully packing his bag, his face etched with determination.
"We'll figure this out," I said, trying to reassure him.
He looked up, meeting my gaze. "Yeah," he replied, "We'll figure this out."
Then came the sounds of gunshots.
Q: Have you ever been in a lockdown before?