The blazing afternoon sun bore down relentlessly, its golden rays glinting off the dewy sheen of the lush greenery.
The rhythmic chirping of cicadas and the occasional rustle of hidden critters weaving through the tall grass painted an artistic backdrop—only interrupted by the joyous screams of students running through the fields. They played, chatted, or simply strolled around, enjoying the mid-day break.
Sitting in an isolated part of the field was a boy whose demeanor stood in stark contrast to the cheerful atmosphere. He sat cross-legged, idly picking at the blades of grass while watching the other students—not out of interest but as a distraction.
"You know, Will, you could join them if you're interested in playing," said his friend, standing beside him and leaning casually against a lamppost. He, too, stared at the active students.
"I wonder why they bother in this heat, just to end up sweaty and exhausted when the break is over," Will replied, his tone dry and indifferent.
"I guess neither of us will ever understand," his friend mused, prompting them both to chuckle quietly in agreement.
---
Classes resumed shortly after. Will sat listlessly at the edge of the classroom, near the windows, his gaze fixed blankly on the teacher as she tutored the class. He couldn't help but admire her ability to captivate everyone around her, making the lesson both informative and enjoyable.
Yet, only one person seemed uninterested in her teaching– him.
It's all too repetitive, he mused, watching the teacher's hands as the chalk moved briskly against the blackboard. Every sway, every twitch, every motion, he registered monotonously.
Her voice grew fainter and fainter, and soon, every sound in his surroundings faded away.
His face betrayed his contemplative state as he turned to stare out the window, delving deeper into his thoughts.
'School, home, train, rinse and repeat.' There has to be more to the world.
On the far side of the classroom, Will's friend from earlier noticed his distant expression. Recognizing his current state of mind, he smirked and decided to have some fun with it.
Raising his hand, he stood up and spoke. "Ma'am, I have an issue."
The teacher paused mid-lesson and frowned, her guard immediately up. Joseph was notorious for his sarcastic remarks, not his intelligent questions.
"Yes, Joseph? You may ask, though… I'm not sure I'm prepared for whatever nonsense you're about to spew," she said with a hint of dry humor.
"If I may, ma'am, although I think your teaching is superb—a gem among gems…"
"Get to the point, Joseph," she cut him off, eliciting a round of laughter from the class, himself included.
Clearing his throat, Joseph regained his composure and pointed toward Will at the far end of the room.
"I believe not all of us find your teaching as riveting as the rest do."
All eyes turned toward will, who sat at the far corner of the classroom, still lost in thought. The teacher squinted in annoyance, let out an exasperated sigh, and began walking toward him with slow, measured steps.
Will remained oblivious until she was standing directly in front of him. The sharp bang! of her hand slamming on his desk jolted him back to reality.
He turned his head slowly, his expression indifferent as ever. His eyes scanned the room briefly and landed on Joseph, who was trying his hardest to stifle his laughter.
'Sometimes, I really want to kill that idiot,' Will thought, piecing together the situation.
"Will," the teacher began, her lips forming an unintentional pout as she leaned in closer, "is my teaching that boring for you?" Her warm breath brushed against his face.
"I'm sorry, ma'am," Will replied curtly. "I have a lot on my mind at home. I got distracted momentarily. I'll do my best to focus from now on."
Her displeasure lingered for a moment before she sighed, turning back to the blackboard. "Is it too much to ask for him to pay more attention when I'm around?" she muttered under her breath, her voice barely audible.
She was just about to resume teaching when a strange sensation washed over her. A shiver ran down her spine, and a few seats behind her rattled instantly. Will and a student named Annabelle, standing up to match Joseph who still hadn't taken his seat.
An icy chill permeated the room, prickling her skin and making her breath hitch.
'What is this feeling? What's going on?' she thought, turning back cautiously.
The source of the disturbance became clear immediately: a teenage girl stood just behind her. She wore a black one-piece gown, her raven-black hair framing, unnaturally pale, grayish skin. Her deep, jet-black pupils seemed to pierce through the teacher's very soul.
The girl scratched at her neck and twitched unnervingly, her movements alien and unsettling.
Gathering her composure, the teacher addressed her calmly. "Hello there. Can I help you? Are you lost? You don't seem to be a member of my class."
The girl stopped twitching, raising her head slowly to meet the teacher's gaze. Her lips quivered as tears welled in her eyes.
"Lost?, yes I'm lost. I've– I've always been lost, I... I… I– I can't find home. Im ….." she paused, taking in the complete view of the classroom.
"This one," she muttered, her voice trembling, "this one isn't right either. No, this one is even more wrong than the rest."
Confusion spread through the students, tension rising with every second.
The girl continued, her hands beginning to tremble. "I can't stop. I can't stop. I need…"
She trailed off, and her body stiffened unnaturally.
At the back of the room, will was already on his feet, his brow furrowed in concern. Joseph, ever the impulsive one, had picked up a paper cutter. Meanwhile, the class representative, Annabel, stood at full alert, her stance poised for action.
For a moment, the room was silent, the air thick with dread.
Then the girl screamed, her voice piercing and desperate. "I NEED TO GO UP!"
"Ellie, get away from her," Will screamed at the teacher.
Joseph moved first, bursting forward with the paper cutter. Annabel leaped into the air, aiming a dropkick. Will, though furthest away, closed the distance with astonishing speed, matching their movements.
The teacher, in a last-ditch effort to calm the girl, leaned forward and grasped her trembling hands.
The moment the others made contact with the girl, the world seemed to freeze. A dark, fog-like miasma erupted from her, engulfing all five of them.
Before the stunned eyes of the remaining students, they vanished into thin air.
For a moment, there was only silence. Then, one student screamed, and the classroom erupted into chaos.