Sunlight streamed through the classroom window, warming Jack's face. He squinted slightly, feeling drowsy as his head drooped lower. For Jack, a high school student in China, dozing off in class was practically a daily routine. School felt like a dull grind, and he often fantasized about thrilling adventures — leading armies in a historic war or surviving a sudden zombie outbreak. Every night, his dreams were filled with epic battles and daring escapades.
Jack came from a typical family. His parents, ordinary office workers, had high expectations for him, hoping he'd get into a good university. But Jack despised the monotony of life. He craved excitement and adventure, yearning for a chance to prove himself. Lost in daydreams, he often imagined fighting zombies and saving the world.
Today was no different. As a gentle breeze drifted through the open window, Jack slipped into yet another vivid dream. This time, he was sprinting through a desolate, zombie-infested city. His lungs burned as he dashed into an abandoned classroom, leaning against the wall, gasping for air. His heart thundered in his chest.
Just as he started to relax, a faint ringing sound pierced the silence. Was that... a school bell? Jack blinked in confusion. Suddenly, a hand clapped down on his shoulder.
Startled, Jack jolted awake. A classmate stood in front of him, but something was off — their eyes glowed an eerie white, and they leaned in, sniffing near Jack's neck. Adrenaline surged through Jack's veins. Without thinking, he grabbed the pencil in his hand and drove it hard into the classmate's head.
A sickening squelch echoed in the room. Blood gushed from the wound as the classmate wobbled, then collapsed motionless on the floor.
Jack stared at his trembling hands, unable to believe what he'd just done. His heart pounded violently, breath coming in rapid gasps. Around him, classmates gawked in horror, their faces twisted with shock and fear.
"Is this still a dream?" Jack muttered, his voice shaky. But it felt too real—too vivid.
Panicking, he stumbled to his feet, words caught in his throat. The classmate on the floor convulsed, black liquid oozing from their mouth. Jack's legs wobbled, barely able to support him. Desperate to escape, he dashed toward the back of the classroom and flung open the door to the bathroom.
The air inside was thick and foul. Jack leaned against the door, chest heaving as sweat dripped down his face. His reflection in the cracked mirror stared back at him, eyes wide with terror.
"What the hell is going on?" he whispered, voice trembling.
Suddenly, distant screams echoed from the hallway, mixed with guttural growls. Jack's pulse spiked. His nightmare... had it truly become real?