The bell rang sharply through the classroom, marking the end of another tedious lecture. Chairs scraped against the floor as students hurried to escape the monotony of History class. Conversations buzzed to life, and the usual clamor of the break began.
In the back row, Harry stretched his arms above his head and let out an exaggerated sigh. His unruly brown hair fell into his eyes, and he pushed it back with a dramatic flair.
"Finally! I thought that class was gonna kill me."
A few students chuckled at his antics, accustomed to Harry's over-the-top reactions. He had a knack for turning even the dullest moments into entertainment.
"Come on, Harry," one of his classmates said with a grin. "It wasn't that bad."
"Not bad?" Harry scoffed, placing a hand over his chest. "I'm convinced History is a weapon of mass destruction. My brain is already halfway to the afterlife."
More laughter followed, but Harry wasn't paying attention anymore. His gaze drifted to Max, the quiet boy in the seat ahead of him. Max was always the serious type, someone who paid close attention in class and avoided unnecessary interactions.
But today, something was off.
Max sat frozen, staring straight ahead. His eyes were unfocused, his hands limp on his desk.
"Hey, Max," Harry called, leaning forward. "Earth to Max? Did the lecture fry your brain too?"
No response.
"Hello? Max, are you in there?"
Slowly, Max turned his head, blinking as if waking from a deep trance. He looked at Harry with a puzzled expression, his brow furrowing as though trying to recognize a face he couldn't quite place.
"Who are you?" Max asked, his tone flat and unrecognizing.
Harry chuckled, thinking Max was just playing along with his joke.
"Are you trying to copy me now?" he teased with a grin. "Come on, Max, don't mess with me."
But Max's confusion only deepened. "Do I... know you?" he asked, his eyes scanning Harry's face, searching for something familiar.
Harry's grin faded, replaced by a puzzled frown. "You're serious, aren't you?" he muttered, leaning closer. "Did you hit your head or something?" He reached out to check Max's forehead, thinking he might have a fever.
Before he could touch him, Max's hand shot up, grabbing his wrist with surprising strength. In one swift motion, Max twisted his arm behind his back, making him yelp in pain.
"Ah! Ow, ow, l-let go!" Harry exclaimed, struggling against the unexpected force.
The sudden commotion drew the attention of the other students. Heads turned, and the lively chatter quieted as everyone watched the unfolding scene.
"Hey, what's happening?" one of the nearby students asked, curiosity evident in their voice.
Whispered conversations spread rapidly around the room circling around the two.
Max released Harry's arm and turned away again, his expression still distant. Harry rubbed his wrist, shooting Max a glare.
However, Max ignored Harry's resentful glare and asked, "Are you seeing this too?"
Harry blinked, his curiosity piqued. "Seeing what?"
"The windowy thing. Floating right here," Max pointed to the air.
Harry's smile stiffened, his mood shifting. "Are you messing with me?" he asked, but as he looked closer, he realized Max wasn't joking.
There was genuine confusion—and a hint of suspicion—in his eyes.
"Hmm..." Harry's brow furrowed, his mind working at full speed. "Is there any text on it?"
Max turned away again, his eyes focusing on something invisible in the air. He squinted slightly as if trying to read something that wasn't there. After a few moments, he spoke. "It says something about... entering the tutorial."
"..."
'No way... He is messing with me, right?'
Harry's breath quickened, his heart racing with a mix of excitement and disbelief.
A part of him wondered if Max was tricking him, but the idea of his wild fantasies becoming real was too thrilling to ignore.
"Is there yes and no as well?"
Max first checked and then nodded.
Harry leaned forward, his voice urgent. "Then tap the 'Yes' button."
Max looked at Harry for a moment, trying to gauge his sincerity. After a brief hesitation, he nodded. "Okay."
He mimicked tapping an invisible screen in the air.
"..."
For a moment, nothing happened. The classroom remained still, students watching in confusion. Harry's excitement began to wane, replaced by the sinking feeling that he might have been fooled.
"Darn you, did you trick-?" Harry began to say, but before he could finish, something unbelievable happened.
A faint shimmer surrounded Max, like sunlight reflecting off water. The glow intensified, spreading across his body. Max's breathing quickened, and his eyes widened.
"Wait… what's happening?" Max's voice rose in panic.
Harry reached out instinctively, but it was too late. The shimmering light consumed Max completely, breaking him apart into tiny particles that dissolved into the air.
He vanished.
"W-Woah!"
"Shoot!"
Gasps and screams erupted from the other students.
Chairs scraped back as some bolted toward the door, while others froze in place, staring at the empty spot where Max had been.
"WTH!" one student shouted.
"D-did he just d-disappear?" another stuttered, her voice trembling.
Panic spread like wildfire.
The air grew heavy, and the ground began to tremble. Desks rattled, and the overhead lights flickered violently. It felt as if the entire building was coming apart at the seams.
Then, a deep, resonant voice echoed through the room. It wasn't coming from any one direction—it was everywhere, shaking the very air.
[The final chapter of humanity begins now. Welcome to The End. Survive, or perish.]
[The choice is yours—but the odds are not.]