A boy with black pijamas stood before his mirror, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. His messy black hair stuck up in every direction. A smile crept across hid face as he thought, "Another day to see her."

"Hey, Whisky!" his mom called from downstairs. "Breakfast is ready!"

He grabbed his backpack and headed down.

The aroma of pancakes wafted through the air, making his stomach growl. Whisky devoured two, washing them down with orange juice.

"Big test today?" his mom asked, as the sizzle of bacon crackled in the background.

Whisky nodded, taking another bite.

His mom smiled. "You'll do great. Have a good day."

Whisky grabbed his jacket and backpack. And before heading out, he caught a glimpse of his father's photo on the mantle, and a wave of sadness washed of him. "Another day without you,...Dad," he whispered, his voice barely audible.

The sun shone brightly as he walked to school. He passed familiar houses, lawns, and trees.

Skyline High came into view, it brick faąde gleaming in the morning light. Whisky's heart swelled with pride.

As he entered the building, the sounds of chatter and laughter enveloped him, accompanied by the clang of lockers and the hum of conversation.

Whisky spotted Sarah,his crush his friend, with long black hair which rested on her back. Their eyes met, and they exchanged shy, blushing smiles as they both looked away.

"Whisky over here," called out a guy Kacey; Whisky's friend with brown hair and brown eyes.

They headed to their lockers, exchanging stories about their weekends.

As they walked, Travis fell into step beside them. His black spicy hair, a stark contrast to his cheerful grin. "Hey, guys! Ready for another big day?"

Kacey chuckled. "As exciting as algebra can get."

Their laughter echoed through the hallway.

"Travis my man how are you," a girl with long purple hair. As Travis wrapped his arms around Crystal. The two lovebirds couldn't help but still glances at each other, as Crystal snuggled deeper into his arms.

Nearby, Whisky hesitated, fidgeting with his hands. "Dude did you ask Sarah to the dance," Kacey asked, noticing Whisky's unease.

Whisky's eyes darted towards Sarah, who was chatting with friends across the hallway. "I...I don't know man. Her blue eyes scares me. Not in a bad way, but in a good one. Let's just say,..they are beautiful," Whisky admitted his voice barely above a whisper.

Kacey chuckled and clapped Whisky on the back. "Just do it bro! You'll regret if you don't."

Whisky took a deep breath steeling himself for the ask.

As the bell rang, signaling the start of class, Whisky made his move. "Hey Sarah," he said his voice trembling slightly.

Sarah turned her piercing blue eyes locked into Whisky's." Ohh, hey," she replied, a hint of a smile playing on her lips.

Whisky's heart skipped a beat,"I was wondering...would you like to go to the dance with me?" he asked, his words tumbling out in rush.

Sarah's expression softened, and she looked at Whisky with a mix of kindness and regret. "I'm sorry Whisky. Another guy already asked me out."

Whisky's face fell, his eyes lingering on Sarah as she walked away. He stood frozen, the rejection settling in like a clod weight in his chest. Sarah glanced back over her shoulder her piercing blue eyes meeting Whisky's for a fleeting moment. She mouthed a silent "Sorry," as she disappeared into the crowd.

Whisky felt a plan of disappointment. He took a deep breath and followed Kacey, Travis, Crystal, to their first period history class.

Whisky's mind wandered, who had asked Sarah to the dance.

As Mr. Johnson handed out the history test, he felt a wave of panic wash over him. The blank pages stared back at him, a harsh reminder of his lack of preparation. He had spent the previous night engrossed in video games, neglecting his studies.

With a sense of desperation, he scribbled down whatever came to mind for the first thirty minutes of the two-hour test. As the reality of his situation sunk in, his head began to droop, and he dozed off, his saliva dripping onto the paper.

"Mr Hallow! Where did you slept last night?" asked Mr Johnson giving him an eye that looked upper his specs.

Whisky was caught sleeping, Actually,..Sir–. "

Suddenly, the intercom crackled.

"Attention students and faculty," Principal Lee's voice echoed. "We have a situation. Please remain calm."

Whisky exchanged concerned glances with Kacey.

The principal's voice trembled. "Lockdown procedures are in effect. Please stay in your classrooms."

The room erupted in chaos as Mr. Johnson struggled to remain order. "Everyone remain calm!" he pleaded.

But it was too late Peter stood up, his eyes fixed on the door. "Relax, Sir. I'm just checking out," he said, disappearing into the hallway.

A gunshot echoed the corridors sending, sending shockwaves through the classroom.

"What's happening," a girl student asked, as fear and despair etched her fears.

Heavey footsteps grew louder, and two camouflage-clad soldiers busrt into the room, Ak-47s at the ready.

Three more followed surrounding a man with messy short hair holding a black pistol. With his rugged features were offset by the striking scar on his left cheek. His piercing blue eyes seemed to bore into the distance. Decorated uniform adorned with stars and medals, commanded respect. He was Major Lewis.

The students and Mr. Johnson were forced to sit in the center of the room on the floor.

Major Lewis went in the middle of the class and crouched down to a girl. "Truth,...or Dare?" he asked the trembling girl

Tears welled up her face started to stream down her face.

" Ahh, dont be scared. Truth,...or..Dare?"

"Tr-truth," she whispered her voice shacking.

"Between me and him," Lewis gestured to a black-clad soldier, "who do you like."

The girl remained silent, tears not stopping.

"Talk Bitch," Lewis growled, pressing his gun pointed his gun under her chin.

"N-no one," she stammered, her voice shaking.

*Bang*

A bullet silenced her, striking her esophagus.

Screams erupted into the stufents as blood spattered to those nearby.

Lewis stood up. "Ohh, what a waste." Scanning the room. "You, you and you come over here," he growled, pointing to Whisky, a girl cowering to her side, and another boy.

"Come here," he ordered.

Whisky hesitantly rose from the ground and stood beside the teacher's table. Lewis took a seat in the teacher's chair, his gaze fixed on Whisky.

The girl and boy followed standing beside Whisky, their eyes fixed with terror.

Lewis flipped the coin, slamming it onto the table. "Heads or Tails?" he demanded, his eyes locked on Whisky.

Whisky remained silent, engaging Lewis in a five-second stare-down.

"Heads... or... Tails?" Lewis repeated.

Whisky closed his eyes, making a random guess. "Heads."

As he opened his eyes, Lewis grinned. "Aren't you the lucky one, my friend." The coin had revealed Heads, confirming Whisky's correct answer.

"Now stand aside, lucky one," Lewis instructed.

Next, Lewis targeted a girl student. "Heads or Tails?"

"Tails," she replied, trembling, her voice shaking.

Lewis sneered. "You're one hundred percent totally...wrong. The answer is Heads again."

Whisky watched in horror as Lewis raised his pistol to the girl's head. "Sorry, cutie, but you lost." A loud shot rang out, and blood splattered onto Whisky's face.

A boy stepped forward, drenched in fear sweat. "Heads or Tails, my guy?" Lewis asked.

"Tails," the boy stammered.

Lewis smirked. "Ding dong, your answer is correct. Tails it is." But his tone darkened. "The thing is, I don't like your face."

Another shot echoed, and blood splattered onto Whisky's face as the boy's body crumpled to the ground.

Whisky's mind reeled in terror. "You lose, you die. You draw, you die. You win, you live. Is this a bad joke, a terrifing dream that is never ending. What the fuck is happening? This is ransom bullshit. What's next?"

*_______________

"NEXT TIME: CAPTIVITY"