The day started like any other. Ikenna woke up to the muffled chaos of Miss Geraldine's house. Pots clanged in the kitchen, kids argued over bathroom time, and the youngest ones wailed about breakfast preferences. He rolled out of bed, stretched his lanky frame, and got dressed in his usual black sweatpants and gray T-shirt. By the time he shuffled into the kitchen, the smell of eggs and toast filled the air.
Miss Geraldine stood by the stove, her back to him. "Morning, sleepyhead. Plates are on the counter. You're late today."
"Morning," he muttered, grabbing a plate and loading it up. He took his usual seat at the corner of the table, shoveling food into his mouth while half-listening to the noise around him. The younger kids were a blur of energy, but Ikenna had mastered the art of tuning them out when he needed to.
As he ate, that same strange feeling from the night before crept over him. The air felt heavy again, like the atmosphere before a thunderstorm. Ikenna paused mid-bite, glancing at the window. The sky was clear, the sun already blazing. But the unease lingered, gnawing at the edges of his mind.
The walk to school was uneventful, save for the faint prickling sensation that followed him the entire way. It felt like static electricity, making the hairs on his arms stand on end. He rubbed his forearms absently, trying to shake off the discomfort.
By the time he reached Pearland Middle, the feeling had only grown stronger. Something was wrong, though he couldn't put his finger on what. He went through the motions of his classes, barely paying attention as teachers droned on. His notebook, as always, became his escape. He sketched furiously, lightning bolts exploding across the page in jagged lines. But this time, he felt something new—a strange warmth in his fingertips, like a faint buzz of energy.
At lunch, he sat alone at a corner table, picking at his food. The usual teasing and chatter seemed distant, muffled by the growing tension in his chest. His electric blue eyes darted around the cafeteria, scanning for something—anything—out of place. He didn't know what he was looking for, but he couldn't shake the feeling that he was being watched.
Then he saw it.
At first, it looked like a stray dog standing just outside the cafeteria's glass doors. But as Ikenna squinted, the details sharpened into something far more unsettling. The creature's fur was matted and black, its eyes glowing an unnatural yellow. Its mouth stretched too wide, revealing rows of jagged teeth that didn't belong in any normal animal's mouth. It locked eyes with him, and a chill ran down his spine.
Before he could process what he was seeing, the creature growled and lunged at the doors. The glass shattered, sending shards flying across the cafeteria. Screams erupted as students scrambled to their feet, tables and chairs screeching against the floor in the chaos.
Ikenna froze, his heart pounding. The creature—no, the monster—was inside now, its claws scraping against the tiled floor as it stalked toward him. The cafeteria blurred into the background, the noise fading as his focus narrowed to the monster and the primal fear coursing through him.
"Move!" someone shouted, jolting him out of his paralysis. A hand grabbed his arm, yanking him to his feet. It was a boy from his math class, but Ikenna barely registered his face before they were running. The monster roared behind them, its heavy footsteps growing louder as it gave chase.
The two boys burst into the hallway, dodging lockers and fleeing students. "What the hell is that thing?" Ikenna shouted, his voice cracking.
"No idea, but it's after you!" the boy yelled back.
They turned a corner, and Ikenna's foot slipped on the polished floor. He went down hard, the impact rattling his bones. The other boy skidded to a stop, glancing back in panic. But before he could help, the monster rounded the corner, its glowing eyes locked onto Ikenna.
Time seemed to slow. The monster lunged, its claws outstretched, and Ikenna raised his hands instinctively to shield himself. There was a crackling sound, like the snap of a power line, and suddenly a bolt of electricity arced from his palms. It struck the monster square in the chest, sending it flying backward with a yelp. The hallway filled with the acrid smell of burnt fur.
Ikenna stared at his hands, his chest heaving. The faint buzz of energy he had felt all day was now a roaring current, coursing through his veins. His hands glowed faintly, sparks dancing between his fingers.
"What…what was that?" the boy stammered, his eyes wide with shock.
Before Ikenna could answer, another figure appeared at the end of the hallway. It was a man, but something about him seemed off. He moved with an unnatural grace, his eyes scanning the scene with a mix of urgency and relief.
"You've got to come with me," the man said, his voice calm but firm. "Now."
"Who are you?" Ikenna demanded, backing away.
"There's no time to explain," the man replied. "More are coming. If you want to survive, you need to trust me."
The sound of distant growls echoed through the school, and Ikenna's stomach dropped. He didn't know who this man was or what was happening, but the look in his eyes left no room for argument.
"Fine," Ikenna said, his voice shaky. "But you'd better start explaining fast."
The man nodded, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "I will. But first, we need to get you somewhere safe. Welcome to the real world, kid."
And with that, they ran, the sounds of the monster's pursuit growing louder behind them.